Barrett Strong was an American singer and songwriter. He was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best known for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield. Among his most famous work at Motown, Strong wrote the lyrics for many of the songs recorded by the Temptations.

Barrett Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry Gordy's fledgling label, Tamla Records, and was the performer and co-writer on the company's first hit, "Money, That's What I Want", in 1960. "Money" was later recorded by a number of acts, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Kingsmen, Richard Wylie and His Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Searchers, the Flying Lizards, the Sonics, and Buddy Guy.

In the mid-1960s, Barrett Strong became a Motown writer lyricist,  teaming with producer Norman Whitfield. Together, they wrote some of the most successful and critically acclaimed soul songs ever to be released by Motown, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by both Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips; "War" by Edwin Starr; "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" by Marvin Gaye; "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Undisputed Truth; and the long line of "psychedelic soul" records by the Temptations, including "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Psychedelic Shack," "Ball of Confusion, That's What the World Is Today", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," among others. 

Barrett Strong died peacefully. As we continue to enjoy his music, he will now be “In Heaven with the Stars” forever.