Barrett Strong Jr. (February 5, 1941 – January 28, 2023) was an influential American singer and songwriter, renowned for his pivotal role in the early years of Motown Records. Born in West Point, Mississippi, Strong moved to Detroit, Michigan, at a young age, where he became one of the first artists signed to Berry Gordy's fledgling label, Tamla Records. His 1960 recording of "Money (That's What I Want)" became Motown's first hit single, reaching No. 2 on the US R&B chart and selling over a million copies.

Beyond his success as a performer, Strong was celebrated for his songwriting partnership with producer Norman Whitfield. Together, they crafted numerous iconic soul hits for Motown, including Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," Edwin Starr's "War," and several tracks for the Temptations such as "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," the latter earning Strong a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1973.

After leaving Motown in the early 1970s, Strong continued his music career with Epic and Capitol Records, releasing albums and singles throughout the decade. He remained active in the music industry into the 1980s and beyond, writing and recording new material. In 2004, Strong's contributions to music were recognized with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that helped shape the sound of Motown and soul music.