ELTON JOHN - "Mama Can't Buy You Love" (1979)

[ChrisC1]

I always liked this one, but they never play it on FM nowadays and I understand he refuses to play it in concert. Dont know why. Ironically, it was his first hit in a long time.

[34airflow]

I've always thought this song doesn't sound like an Elton John song--either because the backing vocals were different than usual (men and women), it had a traditional disco arrangement or John's mellower style of singing. Now I've learned it wasn't a John/Taupin composition either.

[Zazueria]

Elton John, The Spinners & Thom Bell...underrated classic! Thanks for the post!

[MrTrashcan1]

@Zazueria Thanks for visiting my channel!

[karmdu1]

@Zazueria I agree. I was born in '67 and my parents never had a radio. I love and relate to the 70s and wonder what the hell happened to true real music. This day and age I try to listen but all I hear is whining.....no meaning or passion. True music came from the 70s.

[karmdu1]

@Zazueria

Very happy to hear this song; my new fave that I don't think I heard before. I was born in '67 and listen to 70's internet radio at work. I heard this and was instantly initiated to save it - now I listen to it all the time. Classic awesome song. Why don't they make songs like the 70's anymore?

[gustavo66770]

cuantos recuerdos con esta cancion,aquellos años inolvidables que compartimos tu y yo,lo recuerdas?

[24hefner24]

SIR ELTON JOHN RULES!!!

[TheRetro64]

This song reminds me of NBC Football in the early 1980s. They would play the beginning of this song as they cut to a commercial during a game.

[kja427]

That Sucks! I wanted to see this tune truly performed live. Oh well...

[jessytherebel]

This song was writen by x factors leroy bell

[jbolio888]

Big hit in 1980, peaked at #3 on Billboard Hot 100

[billblue36]

wow...memories...When bush was king

[mr22ron]

Best EJ memory-first time I saw him in concert July 4, 1976 Schaffer Stadium in Foxboro Mass. He entered the stage dressed as the Statue of Liberty!

[asstel100]

elton お前もか。当時ディスコブームに便乗しましたね。

[TheThylan]

Amazing, I was just having a debate with someone tonight about which artist sang this song. I was WRONG! Way to go Elton for making me like you!! This is in my top 10 songs. I haven't heard this since the 80s.

Thanks trashcan for posting this. I still can't belive it

[k2411871]

leroy bell the 59year old x factor hopeful (who looks 29) wrote thins son

[llabful]

I prefer this song and Philadelphia Freedom to his other songs for some reason, maybe because they're so bouncy and catchy

[TheTalkeetna1]

Elton John is great and I like this song, but it sounded dated even when it came out. David Cassidy or Bobby Sherman could have sang it back in 71.

[1985OldSkool]

What a great way for Sir Elton John to finish off the 1970s.

[zr22000]

classic 70's song.

[Chuck1974]

NIce to see comments from people giving due credit to the Spinners who sang backup. And not just on this song but on an entire album Elton John recorded in the mid 1970s.

[shonjevon]

THANK YOU! LOOOOVE...



[ChihuahuaboyDH]

A great song from Elton John! Peaked on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1979! This is where Elton had split from longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin (they reunited a year later or so). I knew Elton John collaborated with Thom Bell here, but I didn't know he had also worked with The Spinners...Amazing!

Bravo, Reginald Kenneth Dwight!

[xZippy38]

One of the best singers to ever exist.

[naughtykitten28]

I looked for this song under Hall and Oates. Had no idea that Elton John sang this song. It really is a nice tune, heard it in the truck yesterday when hubby and I were leaving home.

[philadelphiaman]

The Spinners do backup in this song---I sounds like One of a Kind Love Affair, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love etcetc

[PJCampbell100]

@philadelphiaman thanks for that tidbit ... thought this was another Elton/bernie song

[philadelphiaman]

@PJCampbell100

You are welcome---Elton John came to Philadelphia PA in 1978 to hookup with Thom Bell and The Spinners

[MattyWestie]

Big fan of this song and his most underrated in my opinion it is not even half as credited as what it should be, not alot of people in england know this song and I'm a massive fan of the thom bell sessions and the friends soundtrack. 

[criledo1]

I had favorited this video and see that it has been contaminated with an advertisement. Removing from my favorites right now.....

[MrTrashcan1]

@criledo1 I have nothing to do with the advertisement. There is usually an "X" to close it. Youtube tracks your browsing and posts ads they think you'll be interested in.

[Berthagertrude]

@criledo1

Wow! I guess you told him, huh?

[tomcamp6023]

@criledo1 . NO ONE CARES YOU WHINNING LITTLE BITCH!!! YOU ARE A SPOILED SELF ENTITILED BRAT> YOU DESERVE NOTHING> YOUR LUCKY YOU HAVE YOU TUBE YOU LITTLE BITCH> GO SUCK ON YOUR MOTHER TIT NOW. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE THAT KNOWS YOU AND EVERYONE THAT DOESN"T.

[GanadoFO]

@criledo1 This song does not belong to the uploader, so when YouTube/Google get a copyright issue, they will usually just put links to buy the song + advertising, or they will just delete the video. This is at least better than removing it.

[ncf1]

@criledo1 I personally will be crying myself to sleep because of your choice to do this.

[EddieAlda]

@criledo1 The advert has now gone!

[anderdong]

@criledo1

nobody cares. did you cancel your cable because of the commercials?

[mwhoover1958]

doesn't even get air time today, one of his best songs in my opinion.

[TheCHARLESTINE]

ONLY OUR LORD JESUS KNOWS THE TRUTH,ONLY HE SEES EACH AND ONE OF US LIE EVERY DAY.EACH AND ONE OF US ARE CREATED EQUIL.MUCH MAHALO BRA!!...

[zoolakid]

as far as i know, elton didnt write this one, but still great.

[DanyalRasool]

Oh get off this video then! We're listening to a voice regardless of who the owner of the voice has sex with! We aren't preaching here.

[harlembreaker131]

Only a HYPOCRITE christian (in whom Jesus Christ is very displeased in) would accept to tolerate "homosexuality /sodomy", after possessing the knowledge for truth. I can truly say that, EVERY living man and woman in a country as knowledgeable as america, who allegedly upholds a book of divine-supreme morals (THE HOLY BIBLE KJV), MUST be held accountable, for what is written in it. The courts and currency gives vow /oath IN GOD WE TRUST. Also, ALL Presidents, since the 1st, solemnly sworn on it?

[gsj612]

@harlembreaker131, Not ALL presidents have been sworn in with a bible. September 14, 1901: Theodore Roosevelt.

[harlembreaker131]

@gsj612 Well, your thorough education about America's (former) Presidents...is appreciated! Thanks for the correction!!!!

[0mike3]

Anyone know the reason why The Spinners were never given 'due credit' for this song? I remember CKLW introducing the song as 'Elton John and The Spinners' a few times, but have never heard any explanation why The Spinners were generally ignored by DJs even to this day on Oldie Stations.

[yarekhunt]

@0mike3 I had NO idea the Spinners did this!!! Thats wild!; It sounds like a Spinners song after all....thanx for the info: )

[Kellogs43able]

elton does r and b....cool...

[HowToDigitalsLtd]

Great song...... listen to the detroit spinners backing....... superb!

[willzyx1980]

Discovering this song in my parents' music collection was one of the greatest joys of my childhood

[yarekhunt]

WOW! TOTAL FLASHBACK!.... Suddenly I'm trading Baseball cards on my front porch with the de Paula brothers in selden....lol...thanx 4 the memories

[yarekhunt]

WOW! TOTAL FLASHBACK!....

[Dreamliner3131]

One of Elton's Best songs

[dkendzior]

3:45 heheh

[drews4u]

Love this music, too bad he's a queer, I mean I REALLY REALLY love his music and his sound, in fact, I grew up with it. I just don't agree with his lifestyle. Really like this song. Thanks so much for posting it.

[harlembreaker131]

@drews4u Despite how others in THIS age might strongly disapprove of your views, but surely I agree 100% in what you said. I too grew up listening to the music of "queer" singers/musicians as Elton John, and after being affected by the good sounding nature of their music, still I look back and say I've been nearly deceived by their hidden lifestyle. As a child, yes I've been shielded under my blessed Parents, but still if I had conscious as a child, I wouldn't have supported them much.

[sixsixxsixxxx]

@harlembreaker131 you're a bigot and a backwrads fool...in ANY age

[harlembreaker131]

@sixsixxsixxxx Well, according to the much powerful HOLY BIBLE; The wisdom of THIS world is foolishness with GOD! So hey 666 (the devil), go on with your bad self!!  Fire for your bed if that's what you desire to lay in. Let the God's word be true, but every man, or woman, a liar. :)

[lockenjr]

@drews4u gee so sorry he was born liking other things in his bedroom then you do. Like my pastor would say learn some tolerance and grow quit perpetuating your sexism and rascism... sorry to be harsh I am sure you are a good person but really come on...

[sixsixxsixxxx]

@lockenjr your pastor said that? Wow, good for him...way too many "Christians" are trouble and are NOT representative of Jesus in any way shape or form...their ignorance is only topped by their hatred

[cali00friend]

Wow - haven't heard this song in 2 decades! Elton John is a perfect singer for this song ... and the Philly/Soul melody makes it a gem!

[loveitoldschool]

One of my late favorites of Elton's. Thanks for posting. Loved the pic of the vinyl.

[dazzlingdes]

Always liked this. Heard it this a.m. on CHFI (Toronto), they cover a specific oldie year every Sunday a.m. Thanks, MrTrashcan1!

[TheSPACECOWBOY68]

This was before he got that operation on his throat.

[john4951]

One of the more interesting periods in the Elton chapters- love the Thom Bell stuff- gotta get that CD !

[DaveWollenberg]

Written by Bell and James in '77. Hit #1 AC, #9 pop, #36 soul in the US (Billboard). How'd it do in the UK? God bless!

[doyoubarnes]

Thank you. This was his comeback hit for those who are old enough to remember the 70's. The Sounds Of Philadelhia rang true again.

[gnolt]

I do remember this classic on the radio in northeast ohio in 1979 and 80.Recently got a great cd of all of Elton John's work with Thom Bell.

[sixtieschild123]

I love this song. Sir Elton John is a fantastic artist.

[bobbymidnight]

Those are the Spinners singing background!

[NiseDen]

I forgot all about this song until I heard it on an oldies station the other day. This song has been overlooked and to me is one of Elton's best. The melody is very uplifting !!!!!

[Bansheeeyes78]

One of my fave Elton J hits. Take me back now!

[schonkable]

I love the late 70's sound; such an underrated Elton John song!

[djdarryltaylor]

@schonkable agreed

[njezan1]

This song was not only a regional hit. According to Billboard it reached Nr. 9 position in 1979. on the Hot Hundred Chart.

Great collaboration between Elton and Thom Bell.

[nema1218]

Just discovered this song tonight,and I loved it!Did not know it was Elton John,until now thanks to Google.Sounds different than his other songs.Great song,before my time,but I love to listen to nice oldies.

[funkg]

nice philly type sound

[douchteeth]

Elton and Bernie (I guess) are a great team...i dont know about this, is this Bernie?

[hulkspythons]

Nope not Bernie; actually Elton didn't write the music either, just provided vocals.

[angelineHful]

Been looking for this darn song... Great to sing too!

[TheFIRSTFatJohn]

Elton John, The Spinners and Thom Bell. Great combo and great song!

[gnolt]

Many artist from around the world credit the cleveland area as the place where their music really caught on.

[sharondisco]

Love this song!  Should had gotten more air time!!

[orioles8383]

This song reminds me of my ex Brenda in the Spring of 1979...Brenda. Lincoln, Nebraska. Thnaks for the memories BJ.

[ff0124]

Mama Can't Buy You Love is definitely one of my favorite songs from Elton John. Thanks for the post MrTrashcan1!

[MrTrashcan1]

You are more than welcome!

[rewoginsf]

@MrTrashcan1 This song and Philadelphia Freedom are two of my all time favorite songs. I cannot get enough!!!

[hd26R601]

Little Jeannie isnt bad either, although my fav vid is "Nikita".

[tc1261]

Thanks for posting! I'd almost forgotten about this tune. It brings back such good memories.

[3811iberis]

This is one of my favorite pop songs from the 70's, has an R&B edge, and after three decades, it still sounds as good as ever, excellent 70's music.

[n0gar]

..This is disco...

[Henrytheape]

Haven't heard this tune in quite awhile. Thanks Mr. Trashcan and so glad you're back. Love the old time radio!

[peeterpoon]

Philadelphia brought out the best in Elton as it does in all of us!