Janie Bradford, a songwriter at Motown who co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want),” dies at age 87. Multiple outlets report that she began her career at Motown as a receptionist before contributing to the label’s music catalog.
Berry Gordy is cited in several tributes, including accounts that frame Bradford as part of Motown’s early days “before there was even a Motown.” Sources also describe her as an “unsung” or less widely recognized figure within the label’s history. While the outlets converge on her role as a co-writer of the hit, they vary slightly in emphasis—some foreground her transition from receptionist to songwriter, while others highlight Gordy’s personal recollections and characterizations.
All of the reports note that Bradford’s work extended beyond “Money.” She is credited with material that was recorded by major Motown artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Mary Wells.
