"Can’t Buy Me Love” (McCartney – March 16, 1964)
"Can't Buy Me Love" is a song composed by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon/McCartney) and released by The Beatles on the A-side of their sixth British single, "Can't Buy Me Love"/"You Can't Do That".
History –
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.
Interpretation –
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.
Interpretation –
When pressed by American journalists in 1966 to reveal the song's "true" meaning, McCartney stated that "I think you can put any interpretation you want on anything, but when someone suggests that 'Can't Buy Me Love' is about a prostitute, I draw the line." He went on to say: "The idea behind it was that all these material possessions are all very well, but they won't buy me what I really want." Although he was to later comment: "It should have been 'Can Buy Me Love' " when reflecting on the perks that money and fame had brought him.
Composition –
Composition –
While in Paris, The Beatles stayed at the five star George V hotel and had an upright piano moved into one of their suites so that song writing could continue.[6] It was here that McCartney wrote "Can't Buy Me Love." The song was written under the pressure of the success achieved by "I Want to Hold Your Hand" which had just reached number one in America. When producer George Martin first heard "Can't Buy Me Love" he felt the song needed changing: "I thought that we really needed a tag for the song’s ending, and a tag for the beginning; a kind of intro. So I took the first two lines of the chorus and changed the ending, and said 'Let's just have these lines, and by altering the second phrase we can get back into the verse pretty quickly.'" And they said, "That's not a bad idea, we’ll do it that way".
The song's verse is a twelve bar blues in structure, a formula that the Beatles seldom applied to their own material.
Recording –
The song's verse is a twelve bar blues in structure, a formula that the Beatles seldom applied to their own material.
Recording –
"Can't Buy Me Love" was recorded on 29 January 1964 at EMI's Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, France, where the Beatles were performing 18 days of concerts at the Olympia Theatre. At this time, EMI's West Germany branch, Odeon, insisted that the Beatles would not sell records in any significant numbers in Germany unless they were actually sung in the German language and the Beatles reluctantly agreed to re-record the vocals to "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" prior to them being released in Germany. George Martin traveled to Paris with a newly mastered rhythm track for what was to be "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" (Come, Give Me your Hand/I Want to Hold Your Hand) . "Sie Liebt Dich" (She Loves You) required the Beatles to record a new rhythm track as the original two track recording had been scrapped. EMI sent a translator to be present for this recording session which had been hurriedly arranged to tie in with the Beatles Paris commitments. This was accomplished well within the allotted studio time allowing the Beatles an opportunity to record the backing track, with a guide vocal, to the recently composed "Can't Buy Me Love". McCartney's final vocal was overdubbed at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, on 25 February.
The song also included some vocal harmonies in the background, which at the time became characteristic of the Beatles. After listening to the first take of the song, the band concluded that the song did not need them. Therefore, Can't Buy Me Love became the first single the Beatles released without their characteristic background harmonies.
Also re-recorded on this day at EMI Studios was George Harrison's modified guitar solo, although his original solo can still just be heard in the background. Harrison said: "What happened was, we recorded first in Paris and re-recorded in England. Obviously they'd tried to overdub it, but in those days they only had two tracks, so you can hear the version we put on in London, and in the background you can hear a quieter one." Helen Shapiro, a friend of the Beatles and present at this overdub session, says that Ringo Starr also added extra cymbals "over the top" and that "apparently this was something he did quite often on their records". "Can't Buy Me Love" is also the only English-language Beatles track that the Beatles themselves recorded in a studio outside the UK, although the instrumental portion of the Beatles' B-side "The Inner Light" was recorded in India by Indian session musicians.
The song also included some vocal harmonies in the background, which at the time became characteristic of the Beatles. After listening to the first take of the song, the band concluded that the song did not need them. Therefore, Can't Buy Me Love became the first single the Beatles released without their characteristic background harmonies.
Also re-recorded on this day at EMI Studios was George Harrison's modified guitar solo, although his original solo can still just be heard in the background. Harrison said: "What happened was, we recorded first in Paris and re-recorded in England. Obviously they'd tried to overdub it, but in those days they only had two tracks, so you can hear the version we put on in London, and in the background you can hear a quieter one." Helen Shapiro, a friend of the Beatles and present at this overdub session, says that Ringo Starr also added extra cymbals "over the top" and that "apparently this was something he did quite often on their records". "Can't Buy Me Love" is also the only English-language Beatles track that the Beatles themselves recorded in a studio outside the UK, although the instrumental portion of the Beatles' B-side "The Inner Light" was recorded in India by Indian session musicians.
Takes: 4
Personnel
Personnel
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)
Music charts –
George Harrison – Lead guitars (double-tracked; Gretsch 6122 "Country Gentleman" and Rickenbacker "Fire-glo" 360-12)
Ringo Starr – Drums (Ludwig)
Music charts –
US music charts
The Beatles established four records on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Can't Buy Me Love" at number one:
When "Can't Buy Me Love" went to number one (4 April 1964), the entire top five of the Hot 100 was by the Beatles, the next positions being filled by "Twist and Shout", "She Loves You", "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me," respectively. No other act has held the top five spots simultaneously.
Rolling Stone ranked "Can't Buy Me Love" at #289 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song spent five consecutive weeks at #1. The only Beatles songs to exceed that mark were "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at seven weeks and "Hey Jude" at nine weeks.
UK music charts
Until Billboard began using SoundScan for their charts, it had the biggest jump to number one: (number twenty-seven to number one; no other single had ever done this).
It gave the Beatles three consecutive number-one songs ("I Want to Hold Your Hand" was replaced at number one by "She Loves You" which was in turn replaced by "Can't Buy Me Love"). The three songs spent a combined total of 14 consecutive weeks at #1.
It gave the Beatles three consecutive number-one songs ("I Want to Hold Your Hand" was replaced at number one by "She Loves You" which was in turn replaced by "Can't Buy Me Love"). The three songs spent a combined total of 14 consecutive weeks at #1.
When "Can't Buy Me Love" went to number one (4 April 1964), the entire top five of the Hot 100 was by the Beatles, the next positions being filled by "Twist and Shout", "She Loves You", "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me," respectively. No other act has held the top five spots simultaneously.
During its second week at number one (11 April 1964), the Beatles had fourteen songs on the Hot 100 at the same time.
Rolling Stone ranked "Can't Buy Me Love" at #289 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song spent five consecutive weeks at #1. The only Beatles songs to exceed that mark were "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at seven weeks and "Hey Jude" at nine weeks.
UK music charts
"Can't Buy Me Love" became the Beatles' fourth UK number-one single and their third single to sell over a million copies in the UK. It has sold 1.53 million copies as of November 2012.
The song was also released in the following albums: A Hard Day's Night (both the American United Artists and British Parlophone versions); Big Hits From England And The U.S.A., a various artists compilation album from Capitol issued in 1964; the British-only LP release A Collection Of Beatles Oldies; the 1970 compilation Hey Jude (also known as The Beatles Again); the 1973 double disc collection 1962–1966 (the Red Album); the 1982 release Reel Music, which features songs from Beatles films; the 1982 compilation 20 Greatest Hits (both in England and America); and 1, released in November 2000.
Trivia –
The song was also released in the following albums: A Hard Day's Night (both the American United Artists and British Parlophone versions); Big Hits From England And The U.S.A., a various artists compilation album from Capitol issued in 1964; the British-only LP release A Collection Of Beatles Oldies; the 1970 compilation Hey Jude (also known as The Beatles Again); the 1973 double disc collection 1962–1966 (the Red Album); the 1982 release Reel Music, which features songs from Beatles films; the 1982 compilation 20 Greatest Hits (both in England and America); and 1, released in November 2000.
Trivia –
When this song reached Number One on the US Billboard on April 4, 1964, it completed a remarkable feat never equaled since: all of the top five songs in the country that week were from one group (#1: "Can't Buy Me Love," #2: "Twist and Shout," #3: "She Loves You," #4: "I Want to Hold Your Hand," #5: "Please Please Me"). The following week, the Beatles landed an unprecedented 14 songs at once in the Billboard Hot 100.
"Can't Buy Me Love" is also the first song to hit Number One from outside the Top 20, a feat unmatched until the magazine begin using its "Soundscan" method of reporting sales.
Featured in the band's first film, A Hard Day's Night, in a sequence that has been described as the world's first music video. However, it only appears in the film and on the soundtrack album because director Richard Lester rejected "I'll Cry Instead," the song John originally wrote for the sequence.
Paul has repeatedly denied rumors that the lyrics are specifically about prostitution!
Today in Beatles History (From The Beatles Internet Album) March 12 –
"Can't Buy Me Love" is also the first song to hit Number One from outside the Top 20, a feat unmatched until the magazine begin using its "Soundscan" method of reporting sales.
Featured in the band's first film, A Hard Day's Night, in a sequence that has been described as the world's first music video. However, it only appears in the film and on the soundtrack album because director Richard Lester rejected "I'll Cry Instead," the song John originally wrote for the sequence.
Paul has repeatedly denied rumors that the lyrics are specifically about prostitution!
1963 – Concert at the Granada, Bedford (Chris Montez and Tommy Roe tour).
– Morning: Marriage of Paul and Linda, at the Marylebone Register Office. Heather, Mike McGear, Mal Evans and Peter Brown attend.
– The second part of the wedding takes place at the St John's Wood anglican church, and is officiated by priest Noel Perry.
– Partially recorded for today's BBC Here We Go edition.
John gets a cold.
– 5.00-5.29pm. BBC's Here We Go broadcast (6 March 1963 session).
John gets a cold.
– 5.00-5.29pm. BBC's Here We Go broadcast (6 March 1963 session).
1964 – Studio 3 (control room only). 10.00am-12.00noon. Stereo mixing: "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" (from edit of takes 5, 7); "Sie Liebt Dich" (from take 14). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Norman Smith; 2nd Engineer: not assigned.
– Remixes of "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" and "Sie Liebt Dich" for the US and Germany.
1965 – Help! shootings in Bahamas end.
– The New York Daily News publishes Brian's declarations about the Beatles ("Ten years from today the Beatles will still be popular") and the Rolling Stones ("A fine group").
– Brian signs the Silkie to a management agency contract, and secures them a recording contract with Philips.
– Brian signs the Silkie to a management agency contract, and secures them a recording contract with Philips.
1967 – Concert of Edwin Starr in the Saville Theatre, with Duane Eddy and the Wild Ones as support act.
1969 – Morning: Normal Pilcher registers the Harrisons' Esher house.
– George and Pattie attend the "Piscis" party thrown by Rory McEwen.
– Shortly after 7.30 pm. "Kinfaus", Esher, Surrey. George and Pattie are arrested for possession of cannabis resin.
– Evening. George and Pattie are taken to the Escher police station.
– Shortly after 7.30 pm. "Kinfaus", Esher, Surrey. George and Pattie are arrested for possession of cannabis resin.
– Evening. George and Pattie are taken to the Escher police station.
– Morning: Marriage of Paul and Linda, at the Marylebone Register Office. Heather, Mike McGear, Mal Evans and Peter Brown attend.
– The second part of the wedding takes place at the St John's Wood anglican church, and is officiated by priest Noel Perry.
– Later, party at the Hotel Ritz.
– Evening: Paul works on a Jackie Lomax record.
– Olympic Sound Studios. Time unknown. Stereo mixing: "The Long And Winding Road"; "Let It Be". Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: unknown.
– Yellow Submarine, 8th and last week in the ranking (UK New Musical Express chart).
– Evening: Paul works on a Jackie Lomax record.
– Olympic Sound Studios. Time unknown. Stereo mixing: "The Long And Winding Road"; "Let It Be". Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: unknown.
– Yellow Submarine, 8th and last week in the ranking (UK New Musical Express chart).
1971 – UK single release: "Power To The People"/"Open Your Box".
– Royal Courts of Justice (Court 16), London. End of Paul's trial against John, George and Ringo to seek the appointment of an official receiver to take over the Beatles' financial affairs and wrest control from Allen Klein.
1982 – Startling Studios. Recording basic tracks for LP 'Old Wave'. Producer: Jim Nipar.
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