"Mama Can't Buy You Love"
Single by Elton John
from the album The Thom Bell Sessions
B-side"Three Way Love Affair"
ReleasedMay 1979
RecordedOctober 1977
GenreSoul, disco
Length4:02
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)LeRoy Bell and Casey James (of Bell and James)
Producer(s)Thom Bell
Elton John singles chronology
"Are You Ready for Love"
(1979)		 "Mama Can't Buy You Love"
(1979)		 "Victim of Love"
(1979)

"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.[1] "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.[2]

The chord structure of the opening instrumental of "Mama Can't Buy You Love"[3] bears a strong resemblance to the chord structure of the opening instrumental of Ronnie Dyson's "One Man Band (Plays All Alone)".[4] According to the Hot 100, Thom Bell produced both records. The Spinners provided the background vocals on the track.

Reception

Record World said that John's "vocals are a perfect mate for Bell's sparkling lyrics, production & keyboards."[5]

Chart performance

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Hot 100: Week of September 1, 1979". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 128.
  3. ↑ "Elton John – Mama Can't Buy You Love (1977-1979-1989) With Lyrics!". Riffstation beta. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ronnie Dyson – One Man Band (Plays All Alone)". Riffstation beta. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 9 June 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Lwin, Nanda (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  7. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  9. ↑ "Song artist 6 – Elton John". Tsort.info. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 301.
  11. ↑ "Top 100 1979-08-25". Cashbox. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1979". Cashbox. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "American single certifications – Elton John – Mama Can't Buy You Love". Recording Industry Association of America.


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