As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
Can't By Me Love
Count Basie 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 Count Basie is a poignant commentary on the nature of love and money. While money can certainly buy things that may make one feel good temporarily, true love is not something that can be bought. The chorus repeats the sentiment that love cannot be bought, and it is a universal truth that applies to everyone.
The first verse talks about how the singer is willing to buy their friend a diamond ring or anything they need to make them feel good, but ultimately realizes that money cannot buy love. The second verse talks about how the singer is willing to give all they have to give for their lover, regardless of how much or little they may have. The final verse tells their lover that they do not have to want for material things or exotic luxuries; instead, if they simply love each other, that is all that matters.
Overall, Count Basie's "Can't Buy Me Love" is a powerful statement about the importance of love in our lives and how it cannot be replaced or substituted with money or material possessions. As the song suggests, true love is about the connection between two people who care about each other and not about how much money is spent on expensive gifts.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't buy me love, love
Love cannot be purchased or bought
Can't buy me love
The singer emphasizes that love cannot be bought
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend
The singer is willing to buy a friend a diamond ring, if it would make them feel better.
If it makes you feel all right
The artist wants the friend to feel better in any way they can.
I'll get you anything my friend
The artist will give the friend anything they desire, if it will make them happy.
If it makes you feel all right
Once again, the singer emphasizes the importance of their friend's feelings.
Cause I don't care too much for money
The singer values love and friendship over material possessions.
For money can't buy me love
The artist reiterates that love cannot be purchased with money.
I'll give you all I've got to give
The artist is willing to give their all to their friend, to show their love.
If you say you love me too
The artist wants assurance that their love is reciprocated in return.
I may not have a lot to give
The singer does not have a lot of material possessions, but they are willing to give what they do have.
But what I've got I'll give to you
The artist is emphasizing the importance of giving what they can, rather than what they cannot.
Can't buy me love
Once again, the singer states that love cannot be bought
Everybody tells me so
Others have shared this belief with the singer, who agrees it to be true.
No, no, no, no
The singer is definitive in their statement that love cannot be bought.
Say you don't need no diamond ring
The artist wants reassurance that their friend does not need a diamond ring to feel loved.
And I'll be satisfied
The artist will be happy if the friend does not require material possessions to feel loved.
Tell me that you want those kind of things
The singer wants to know if their friend desires material possessions over emotional connection.
That money just can't buy
The singer wants assurance that money and material possessions cannot replace the emotional connection between friends.
Cause money can't buy me love
The artist comes back to the main theme of the song that love cannot be bought with money.
Oh, can't buy me love, love
The refrain comes back, reiterating that love cannot be bought or purchased.
Can't buy me love, no
The final repetition of the refrain emphasizes the main theme of the song : love cannot be bought.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind