Pop Rock Music
The song “Can’t Buy Me Love” was written by Paul McCartney and is credited to Lennon-McCartney. It was recorded and released in 1964, first as a single backed with “You Can’t Do That” and then on the 1964 album A Hard Day’s Night. It was an international commercial success, as the song went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox as well as #1 in the U.K., Australia, and The Netherlands. It went #3 in Canada and Norway and #5 in Belgium. McCartney composed “Can’t Buy Me Love” while The Beatles were staying at the five star George V hotel in Paris. Producer George Martin was keen on having them write another hit after the success in America of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
So far as the lyrics go, they appear to be straightforward enough in that the singer prefers love, an intangible, to material things. McCartney has said that people can interpret the song anyway they want, but if they suggest it’s about a prostitute, he draws the line. The ever-cynical John Lennon said after considering his fame and fortune that perhaps “it should have been ‘Can Buy Me Love.'” Be that as it may, on the track are McCartney on double-tracked vocal and bass; Lennon on acoustic rhythm guitar; George Harrison on double-tracked twelve-string lead guitar; Ringo Starr on drums; and Norman Smith on hi-hat.