Can’t Buy Me Love
Released : 10 July 1964
Recorded : 29 January 1964, Pathé Marconi Studios, Paris; 25 February 1964,EMI Studios, London : : Genre : Rock, pop
Length : 2:11
Label : Parlophone
Writer : Lennon–McCartney
Producer : George Martin
Song Lyrics
Can’t buy me love, love
Can’t buy me love
I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend
If it makes you feel all right
I’ll get you anything my friend
If it makes you feel all right
Cause I don’t care too much for money
For money can’t buy me love
I’ll give you all I’ve got to give
If you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give
But what I’ve got I’ll give to you
I don’t care too much for money
For money can’t buy me love
Can’t buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can’t buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don’t need no diamond ring
And I’ll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can’t buy
I don’t care too much for money
For money can’t buy me love
Can’t buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can’t buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don’t need no diamond ring
And I’ll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can’t buy
I don’t care too much for money
Cause money can’t buy me love
Oh, can’t buy me love, love
Can’t buy me love, no
Song History and Facts
Musicians: John Lennon: rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E acoustic)
Paul McCartney: lead vocal (double-tracked), bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitars (double-tracked; Gretsch 6122 “Country Gentleman” and Rickenbacker “Fire-glo” 360-12)
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
First released: March 16, 1964 (US: Capitol 5150), March 20, 1964 (UK: Parlophone R5114)
- Written by Paul in Paris’ George V Hotel on a grand piano as a specific candidate for the group’s next big American single; constructed at first as a 12-bar blues about the importance of love over material possessions. It is thought that John may have contributed music to the chorus. Before this song was written, Capitol’s next planned Beatles single consisted of two covers: “Roll Over Beethoven” b/w “Please Mr. Postman.”
- Producer George Martin contributed to the arrangement by suggesting the song open with the chorus, rare for a pop song and only the second such occasion for the Beatles (“She Loves You” being the first).
- Though John and George provided backup vocals on the Paris version, Paul’s vocal track was eventually doubled instead, another first for the band.
- Unique among Beatles songs in that the backing track was laid down outside of London’s famed Abbey Road studios — though Paul’s vocal and George’s solo were both re-recorded there after the fact. about.com