Janie Bradford, Early Motown Songwriter & ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ Co-Writer, Dies at 87

She also co-wrote songs recorded by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Mary Wells.

Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, who helped pen hits including “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died following an extended illness at a Los Angeles hospital, her family said Saturday (Aug.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Musicians We Lost in 2026.

Fivio Foreign Pivots to Christian Rap, But Don’t Call Him a Gospel Artist: ‘I Don’t Want to Put It in a Category’.

The Game Responds to Allegations That He Takes Shots at Kendrick Lamar on New Album: ‘Ain’t Diss Nobody on That Song’.

Bradford Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and later moved to Detroit.

She was introduced in the late 1950s to Motown founder Berry Gordy by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson. She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 and like many of the company’s employees took part in the creative process that helped make Motown a music industry powerhouse.

She and Gordy co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want).” The song was recorded in 1959 by Barrett Strong and became an early hit. It was covered by The Beatles and also became one of that group’s hits.

Bradford Hobbs later became head of Writer Relations for Jobete, Motown’s publishing company. After leaving Motown, she founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards.

The event spanned about 30 years, honoring music icons and awarding scholarships, according to her family.

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about.