| "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.
- ^ 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.