Can't Buy Me Love
Single by The Beatles • 20 March 1964 • Parlophone R 5114
Beatlemania (1962–1964) — Mod sharpness — sharp suits, sharper hooks.
About this release
Can't Buy Me Love is a single on Parlophone (catalogue R 5114), released 20 March 1964. Topped UK and US simultaneously — a first.
Recorded during the band's Beatlemania (1962–1964) period, produced by George Martin with Norman Smith engineering. The track(s) were committed at EMI Studios, Abbey Road on Twin-track BTR-2 (1962); Studer J37 four-track from late-1963 via the REDD.37 / REDD.51 valve consoles.
Contents Preface 4 The Paul McCartney Interview 6 1962 Recording sessions for: `Love Me Do', `Please Please Me' 19631967 16 Recording sessions for: `Penny Lane', 92 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Yellow Submarine, `All You Need Is Love', Magical Mystery Tour, `Hello, Goodbye' Recording sessions for: Please…— Mark Lewisohn, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, p.3
What's distinctive
2 tracks; average length 2:23. Lennon dominates the lead vocals (1/2). Lead writing credit: Lennon–McCartney (1 of 2). Estimated total takes across the release: 44.Tracklist
Side A
Side B
Pattern analysis
Lennon 1
McCartney 1
Era technical context
| Microphones | Neumann U47, U48; AKG D19 (drums); STC 4038 (overheads) |
|---|---|
| Outboard | EMI RS124 compressor (Altec 436B mod), EMT 140 plate reverb, STEED tape echo |
| Guitars | Rickenbacker 325 (Lennon), Gretsch Country Gent / Tennessean (Harrison), Höfner 500/1 violin bass (McCartney), Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl kit (Starr) |
| Amplifiers | Vox AC30 (TB & non-Top-Boost variants) |