Can't Buy Me Love chords

by The Beatles

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 168 bpm


Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Guitar Chords: C, Am, Em, Dm7, G, G7, F7

Beginners: See charts below for an open voicing of F7.

Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C Major Am Em Dm7 G Major G7 F7 F7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major Am Em Dm7 G Major G7 F7 F7
Speed: x0.1

Can't Buy Me Love

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
                        Em     Am   Em     Am
Intro: 4/4 Can't buy me love   Oh   Love   Oh
                        Dm7    G
           Can't buy me love   Oh

        C
1. I'll buy you a dia-mond ring my friend
  
   If it makes you feel all - right
        F7
   I'll get you anyth-ing my friend
         C
   If it makes you feel all - right
         G               F7
  'Cause I don't care too  much for mon-ey
                           C
   For mon-ey can't buy me love

        C
2. I'll give you all I've got to give

   If you say you love me too
     F7
   I may not have a lot to give
                 C
   But what I've got I'll give to you
   G               F7
   I don't care too  much for mon-ey
                           C
   For mon-ey can't buy me love

                     Em     Am   C     
Chorus: Can't buy me love   Oh   Ev-'ry-bo-dy tells me so
                     Em    Am    Dm7        G7     
        Can't buy me love  oh    No no no   No

   C
3. Say you don't need no dia-mond rings

   And I'll be sa-tis-fied
   F7
   Tell me that you want the kind of things
        C
   That mon-ey just can't buy
   G               F7
   I don't care too  much for mon-ey
                       C  
   Mon-ey can't buy me love  |  𝄎  |
   
          C                       F7
Instr: |     |  %  |  %  |  %  |      |  %  |

          C           G     F7    C
       |     |  %  |     |     |      |  %  |
                                        (Can't buy me)

                     Em     Am   C
Chorus: Can't buy me love   Oh   Ev-'ry-bo-dy tells me so
                     Em    Am    Dm7        G7
        Can't buy me love  oh    No no no   No 

   C
4. Say you don't need no dia-mond rings

   And I'll be sa-tis-fied
   F7
   Tell me that you want the kind of things
        C
   That mon-ey just can't buy
   G               F7
   I don't care too  much for mon-ey
                       C
   Mon-ey can't buy me love

                    Em     Am   Em     Am
Outro: Can't buy me love   Oh   Love   Oh
                    Dm7    G7     C     C
       Can't buy me love   Oh  |  Oh |  𝄑 |

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major - No sharps or flats
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Bright Shuffle
  • Metronome: ♩ = 168
  • Voice Range: G4 - G5

🔹What Is a “Shuffle” Rhythm?

A shuffle is a rhythmic feel that transforms straight eighth notes into a swinging, triplet-based groove. Instead of dividing each beat evenly into two parts (like in straight time), a shuffle divides each beat into three equal parts—but only plays the first and third.

🔹Think of it like this:

Straight 8ths: Counted as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & (even spacing between each beat and its “&”)

Shuffle 8ths: Counted as 1 (skip) a, 2 (skip) a, 3 (skip) a, 4 (skip) a

Imagine triplets: 1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let, 4-trip-let... but drop the middle note, so you are playing the first and third of each triplet.

“This creates a long-short swing feel, where each beat is divided into three parts but only the first and third are played—giving it that lilting, toe-tapping pulse.”

Song Details:

  • Songwriters: Written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon/McCartney.
  • Date: 1964
  • Lyrics Begin: Can't buy me love, oh, love oh, can't buy me love, oh.
  • Featured Artists: The Beatles
  • Single
    Recorded: 29 January, 25 February 1964
    Released: 16 March 1964 (US), 20 March 1964 (UK)
    B-side: You Can't Do That
  • Album: A Hard Day's Night
    Recorded: 29 January – 2 June 1964
    Released: 10 July 1964
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