Mama Can't Buy You Love
| "Mama Can't Buy You Love" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Elton John | |
| from the album The Thom Bell Sessions | |
| B-side | "Three Way Love Affair" |
| Released | May 1979 |
| Recorded | October 1977 |
| Genre | Philadelphia soul [1] |
| Length | 4:02 |
| Label | MCA |
| Songwriter(s) | LeRoy Bell and Casey James (of Bell and James) |
| Producer(s) | Thom Bell |
| Elton John singles chronology | |
"Mama Can't Buy You Love" is a hit single for English musician Elton John from the EP The Thom Bell Sessions . The song was written by LeRoy Bell and Casey James (of Bell and James fame). Bowing at number 69 on the Hot 100 on 9 June 1979, the track became John's first US top ten hit in almost three years when it peaked at number 9 on 25 August 1979.[2] "Mama Can't Buy You Love" also spent one week at number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In the US, it was certified gold on 17 August 1979 by the RIAA.[3]
The chord structure of the opening instrumental of "Mama Can't Buy You Love"[4] bears a strong resemblance to the chord structure of the opening instrumental of Ronnie Dyson's "One Man Band (Plays All Alone)".[5] According to the Hot 100, Thom Bell produced both records. The Spinners provided the background vocals on the track.
Reception
[edit ]Record World said that John's "vocals are a perfect mate for Bell's sparkling lyrics, production & keyboards."[6]
Chart performance
[edit ]
Weekly charts[edit ]
|
Year-end charts[edit ]
|
Certifications
[edit ]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit ]References
[edit ]- ^ Breihan, Tom (3 January 2022). "The Number Ones: George Michael & Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". Stereogum . Retrieved 6 July 2024.
John's Thom Bell-produced Philly soul pastiche "Mama Can't Buy You Love" peaked at #9 in 1979.
- ^ "Hot 100: Week of September 1, 1979". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 128.
- ^ "Elton John – Mama Can't Buy You Love (1977-1979-1989) With Lyrics!". Riffstation beta. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Ronnie Dyson – One Man Band (Plays All Alone)". Riffstation beta. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 9 June 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Lwin, Nanda (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "Song artist 6 – Elton John". Tsort.info. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 301.
- ^ "Top 100 1979年08月25日". Cashbox . Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1979". Cashbox . Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – Elton John – Mama Can't Buy You Love". Recording Industry Association of America.
