branched out into music, but that is the opposite of how they began. After first being brought to life in Bagdasarian's 1950s novelty recordings under the name David Seville and the Chipmunks, the characters were an unprecedented success, and the singing Chipmunks and their manager were given life in several animated cartoon series and motion pictures.
The voices of the group were all performed by Bagdasarian, who sped up the playback to create the higher pitched, squeaky voices. This process was not entirely new; Bagdasarian had also used it for a previous novelty song project, "The Witch Doctor", but it was so unusual and well executed it earned the "trio" two Grammy Awards for engineering. Although the characters were fictional, they did release a long line of "real" albums and singles, with "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" becoming a number-one hit single in the United States. After his death in 1972, the voices of the Chipmunks were subsequently recorded by his son, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., and his wife, Janice Karman, in all subsequent incarnations to date.
Can't Buy Me Love
Alvin and The Chipmunks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't buy me love
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend
If it makes you feel all right
I'll get you anything my friend
If it makes you feel all right
Cause I don't care too much for money
I'll give you all I've got to give
If you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give
But what I've got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money
Cause money can't buy me love
Oh, can't buy me love, love
Can't buy me love, no
The song "Can't Buy Me Love" by The Beatles is a classic tune about how love and money cannot be compared or interchanged. The lyrics express that riches may be capable of buying other materials like jewelry, fancy clothing, luxurious cars, etc., but it cannot purchase genuine love. The song highlights that even though the singer can offer his beloved friend a diamond ring, it will not compensate for love. The song urges listeners to understand the importance of truthful love, free from material wants.
Furthermore, the song can also represent a distinct time in human history. The 1960s were a time of cultural transformation, marked by a yearning for authentic experiences, sexual liberation, peace, and equality as opposed to the sterile, soulless existence of the previous era. "Can't Buy Me Love" was a part of this unique period when bands like The Beatles influenced an entire generation of youth.
The song's interpretation is that the happiness one receives from love cannot be matched by money, nor can true love be bought, and love is all one needs in life to have a complete, fulfilled experience. Thus, the song outlines that there is nothing wrong with money or the riches it brings, but it is an insufficient substitute for true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't buy me love, love
Love is not something that can be bought with money
Can't buy me love
Love cannot be purchased
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend
I will purchase a diamond ring for you as a friend
If it makes you feel all right
If it makes you happy
I'll get you anything my friend
I will obtain anything for you as a friend
Cause I don't care too much for money
Because I value love more than money
For money can't buy me love
Love cannot be bought with money
I'll give you all I've got to give
I will give you everything I am able to
If you say you love me too
If you express love for me as well
I may not have a lot to give
I may not have a lot of material possessions
But what I've got I'll give to you
But I will give you all that I do have
Can't buy me love
Love cannot be purchased
Everybody tells me so
Everyone informs me of this fact
No, no, no, no
No, love cannot be purchased
Say you don't need no diamond ring
Say that you do not require a diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
And I will be content
Tell me that you want those kind of things
Inform me that you desire those types of intangible items
That money just can't buy
That cannot be bought with money
Cause I don't care too much for money
Because I value love more than money
Oh, can't buy me love, love
Oh, love cannot be bought with money
Can't buy me love, no
Love cannot be purchased
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind