Friday, November 25, 2005

I Don't Need No Diamond Rings

"Can't Buy Me Love" is my favorite Beatles song. I may go so far as to say that if only one Beatles song could be saved from musical oblivion, this would have to be it. I say "I may" because, as a recovering academic, I know too well the possible ramifications of making such an assertion without a detailed, subtly-argued, 40 page research essay to back me up. But in my heart there's no contest.

I could listen to this song indefinitely. As I write this, I am, in fact, doing just that. "Can't Buy Me Love." Repeat. "Can't Buy Me Love." Rinse and repeat. This particular recording (from the hits CD 1) is 2 minutes and 11 seconds long. That would be a few bars short of 27 and a half times per hour. (I'm only up to six or seven at this point.)

These are lyrics that could make a low maintenance girl like me fall in love with you. John and Paul, bless your working-class-boy hearts for writing this.

(Boys from Liverpool in bold italics.)

Can’t buy me love, love
Can’t buy me love
A practical idealist! God, I love those!

I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright
You'd do that for me, really? That's so sweet.
I’ll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright
You just want to make me feel alright? So freakin' sweet.
’cause I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love
So then what you really care about is love? Idealism. Swoon.
But you know how NOT to go about trying to get it? Pragmatism. Swoon swoon.

I’ll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
Does that mean you think all I want is the material stuff you can give me? Because that's not true at all. I appreciate the generous sentiment and all but..you just want me to love you back? Wow.
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I’ll give to you
Your generosity is breaking my heart. Could I kiss you right now? I mean, what about you? Obviously, I'd share with you.
I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love
You are *killing me* with how adorable you are.

Can’t buy me love, everybody tells me so
You've actually bothered to talk about this with people? You've put thought and effort into this?
Can’t buy me love, no no no, no
And now you're writing me a song about it?

Say you don’t need no diamond rings and I’ll be satisfied
I don't.
Tell me that you want the kind of things that money just can’t buy
I do... I DO I DO I DO.
I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love
I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SCREAM LIKE THAT.

And the guitar solo helps, too.

Can’t buy me love, everybody tells me so
And you listened! A man who listens!
Can’t buy me love, no no no, no
It's kinda sexy when you hold the "noooo" like that...

Say you don’t need no diamond rings and I’ll be satisfied
Just you would be fine, thanks.
Tell me that you want the kind of things that money just can’t buy
Preferably now.
I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love
But a song like this can. And honey, not just love.

Can’t buy me love, love
So can we run away together now?
...buy me love...
Was that a "no" or an "ooooohhhh"?


In case you're wondering: Paul. Definitely Paul.

I previously posted that picture with an erroneous photo credit. It was actually Aunt Tina who snapped that shot of Paul on the TV in 1964, the year in which "Can't Buy Me Love" was released.

Fact that would go in my 40 page essay: On April 4, 1964, Beatles songs held the top 5 positions on the US chart, and "Can't Buy Me Love" was at #1.

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posted by Jill at 12:15 PM

26 Comments:

  • Jill, I'm delurking today to let you know that finally - FINALLY - I've found a post with song lyrics that was meaningful and genuinely enjoyable.

    I also love the trip you've given Paul: from TV to print to scanner to web. There's something surreal about that.

    Yes. Paul. But the young one only.

    By Anonymous peefer, delurking, At Fri Nov 25, 03:10:00 PM 2005  

  • oh, i think i would have pegged you for john. i'm listening to elliott smith's cover of Jealous Guy at the moment, which is based on a John Lennon song that never made the white album cut. i guess it's my favorite beatles song that never really was a beatles song.

    By Blogger ducklet, At Fri Nov 25, 04:24:00 PM 2005  

  • Peefer: Yes, the young Paul only. I am happy to have you lurk or delurk as much as you please. Thanks for the lovely compliment.

    Brando: mmm...interesting...I might have been a John girl, had not the whole Yoko thing happened. But since I was not around pre-Yoko, I guess we'll never know. Would that happen to be in mp3 format...that you could like...email over here?

    By Blogger Jill, At Fri Nov 25, 04:48:00 PM 2005  

  • try this - http://www.sweetadeline.net/jealous.rm

    By Blogger Jail Bird, At Fri Nov 25, 05:06:00 PM 2005  

  • I would have pegged you for a John girl too. He seemed far more your type.

    I like Let It Be more, but hopefully, we will never be forced to make such a difficult decision regarding which song is worth preservation. :-)

    By Blogger -J, At Fri Nov 25, 05:08:00 PM 2005  

  • Thanks Jail Bird.

    That is a pretty amazing song; I'd have been a sucker for that one as well. I'm surprised I've never come across it before.

    Hey, J, how's it going? I know there are all sorts of things to take into account other than my swooning heart, if ever we had to make such a decision, but my hypothetical 40 page research essay would definitely argue for "Can't Buy Me Love" capturing the youth, idealism, and passion that makes rock n roll what it is. So I guess that's why I prefer the earlier stuff, even though I agree that "Let It Be" is a beautiful song.

    By Blogger Jill, At Fri Nov 25, 05:19:00 PM 2005  

  • you can hear several different versions here.

    By Blogger ducklet, At Fri Nov 25, 05:44:00 PM 2005  

  • Mind meld here -- it's my favorite Beatles song, too! Let's sing it together right now. If you're gonna be Paul, I'm be John...

    By Blogger Neil, At Fri Nov 25, 11:34:00 PM 2005  

  • 2 min, 11 secs. Why can't anyone say anything nice and succinct like that anymore?

    Do you remember when movies were 85 minutes?

    In fact, that's a kind of trend, isn't it? These days everything's BIGGER but it's all filler.

    Nice post. I laughed.

    By Blogger anaglyph, At Sat Nov 26, 12:20:00 AM 2005  

  • That was great. I sometimes have those conversations in my head during songs I love. What they nusually turn out as is me bemoaning the fact that the song wasn't actually about me and why cant I find someone who loves me like that? Anyway.

    By Blogger Amber, At Sat Nov 26, 02:41:00 PM 2005  

  • I still want the diamond ring, is that so wrong?

    By Blogger Brookelina, At Sat Nov 26, 03:44:00 PM 2005  

  • "In My Life" and "Blackbird" are the ones that have always hit me between the eyes. . .

    By Blogger Popeye, At Sat Nov 26, 10:56:00 PM 2005  

  • I know this wasn't at all the point of the post, but I have to say I love the term "recovering academic." I'm still in the throes of academicism myself, but when I begin the long (and winding) road to recovery, may I use "recovering academic?"

    By Blogger Lizzie, At Sat Nov 26, 11:56:00 PM 2005  

  • Yeah, Paul makes the most sense. After all, drugged out hippies with a tendancy to pull crazy stunts aren't nearly as popular as they used to be. And, besides still being "pretty" at his age, Paul's the last one left alive. (Unless you count Ringo, but, c'mon, be realistic!)

    By Anonymous Network Geek, At Sun Nov 27, 10:03:00 AM 2005  

  • That one is good, but:
    "Close your eyes and I'll kiss you.
    Tomorrow I'll miss you . . ."

    From those years, anyway. I really like "Don't let me down." "Hey Jude."

    It's hard to nail down just one. For me.

    "Rocky Racoon." "Black Bird'"

    By Blogger Bobby, At Sun Nov 27, 08:00:00 PM 2005  

  • Brando: I'd write about what a sensitive guy you are, but I know how you hate the lovin', so I'll be a hater. You suck, brando.

    Neil: I've been singing along all weekend.

    Anaglyph: thanks. I'd love to write something totally vulgar regarding "everything's BIGGER but it's all filler" but I'm sure every one of my readers has already filled in something raunchy.

    Amber: I hear you, girl. I really do.

    Brooke: You already know my wish for you in 2006. Diamond ring and all.

    Popeye: "In My Life" makes me cry. In that "hitting between the eyes" kinda way.

    Lizzie: Yes, of course. Use it on that long and winding road. Wow, I wonder how many other Beatles puns we can work in here.

    Network Geek: It's just that he was so adorably boy-next-door. I'm such a sucker for the boy next door. Of course, I don't really look at him as a present day sex object because I don't look at men who are old enough to be my father. Well, except Sting.

    Bobby: No one ever writes home ev'ry day. That was brought to you by my inner cynic. I love that one too.

    By Blogger Jill, At Sun Nov 27, 08:48:00 PM 2005  

  • The Beatles were great musicians, no doubt, but they're nothing compared with the wordsmithery of such musical prodigies as 50 Cent and Ashlee Simpson.

    By Blogger Dirk the Feeble, At Mon Nov 28, 11:00:00 AM 2005  

  • That is a great song. Although I must say for me, George. Definitely George.

    I think my favorite Beatles song might be...oh hell I can't pick a favorite. But Hey Jude and Something are up there for me. Now I shall have to listen to the Fab Four.

    By Blogger Cheryl, At Mon Nov 28, 11:57:00 AM 2005  

  • Yeah, well, that "boy next door" thing sort of varies depending on the neighborhood, doesn't it?

    Ironically, I'd say my favorite Beatles song was John Lennon's "Yesterday". But, I'm really more of a Warren Zevon fan, so, your milage may vary.

    By Anonymous Network Geek, At Mon Nov 28, 05:02:00 PM 2005  

  • I've always liked George best (dunno why) but for some unknown reason, "Obla-di, obla-da" is my absolute favourite Beatles song. I like stuff that makes little to no sense.

    I really like that term, "recovering academic". I aspire to be one someday.

    By Blogger Rebecca, At Mon Nov 28, 07:31:00 PM 2005  

  • Armaedes: you are soooo right, as usual.

    Cheryl: and I shall join you in listening.

    Network Geek: Yes, good point. But I'm not talking about the ethnicity of the boy next door. I'm going for adorable, charming, and therefore, irresistible.

    Becca: there is a very special place in my heart for Desmond and Molly Jones and family.

    By Blogger Jill, At Mon Nov 28, 07:51:00 PM 2005  

  • I guess I kinda like 'em all. I had a few too many weeks of listening to nothing but the Beatles One collection (on tape no less) in Alaska. I even sang Yellow Submarine to the bears, sometimes in spanish. If you name a Beatles song, I can tell you whether it was a number one hit or not.

    By Blogger Claven, At Tue Nov 29, 02:04:00 AM 2005  

  • I like a lot of songs but my favorites are (in no particular order):

    Yes it is.

    She came in through the bathroom window.

    Across the Universe.

    Happiness is a Warm Gun (I've always wanted to do a cover of that one.)

    By Blogger Momentary Academic, At Tue Nov 29, 09:49:00 AM 2005  

  • I definitely agree with you, but my old neighbor Mrs. Dentist apparently thinks money CAN (and did) buy love. And is teaching her ten year old daughter the same thing. How sad.

    By Blogger dasi, At Tue Nov 29, 10:03:00 AM 2005  

  • Claven: Singing "Yellow Submarine" to Alaskan bears in Spanish. I think I need to hear more. Please.

    M.A.: Indeed, happiness is a warm gun.

    Dasi: I hate when people corrupt kids like that.

    By Blogger Jill, At Tue Nov 29, 02:39:00 PM 2005  

  • And, if I'm not mistaken, CBML lept from something like #27 to #1 during that amazing April week in '64

    By Blogger Plantation, At Wed Nov 30, 01:04:00 AM 2005  

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