You Can’t Do That: Introduction

“You Can’t Do That” is the B-side to The Beatles’ single, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Indeed, the song was originally going to be the A-side for their new single. However, Paul McCartney wrote “Can’t Buy Me Love” shortly after, and that was the better option.

The Beatles would also sing this during their live performances, including for their BBC Radio show appearances. So, there are a few versions of this song available. There is a version on “Anthology 1,” and then there is a version on their “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2” album.

In Detail

Released: March 20, 1964 (UK), March 16, 1964 (US)
Recorded: February 25, 1964
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (A-side is “Can’t Buy Me Love”), also albums
Genre: Rock and roll, rhythm and blues
Track Duration: 2:37
Record Label: Parlophone R5114 (UK) Capitol 5150 (US)
Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Performers And Instruments

John Lennon: lead vocal, lead guitar (solo), rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocal, bass guitar, cowbell
George Harrison: backing vocal, 12-string lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, bongos

Where To Find “You Can’t Do That”

You can still buy this song because it is on a few releases. Buy the single or LP from 1964 for the original sound. The single can be from a number of countries, but they all play the same.

You Can’t Do That: Background

For the movie “A Hard Day’s Night,” they filmed The Beatles singing “You Can’t Do That.” This was at the Scala Theatre, London, with the rest of the concert sequence, of course. But this song didn’t make it into the film. However, that clip is available in the documentary “The Making of A Hard Day’s Night.”

The release of this sixth Beatles’ single gave us two brilliant songs. The Fab Four would typically sing this at their live gigs, such was the popularity of the song.

George Harrison gave us both the guitar intro and outro on this track in his own style. He explained to Tom Petty from the Rolling Stone publication about his contribution, “I was just standing there [in the studio] and thought, ‘I’ve got to do something!‘”

When The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, George Harrison got a surprise gift. This was a $900 Rickenbacker 360 Deluxe electric 12-string guitar. There was only one other in existence, and you can hear its distinctive chiming sound in this song.

“You Can’t Do That” is a fantastic rock song which The Beatles would sing regularly. Indeed, they sang it many times while appearing on BBC Radio shows such as the Saturday Club. Moreover, they would sing this song after “Twist And Shout” on their successful Australian and North American tours.

Recording Studio

This was an early Beatles’ song, which they recorded at the EMI Studios in London on February 25, 1964. The band completed four whole takes from the nine that they recorded. On the Anthology 1 album, they include Take Six, which has guide vocals from John Lennon.

This B-side, together with its A-side of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” became The Beatles’ fourth-number-one single in the UK. Things may have been different because this song was heading for the A-side of a single. However, Paul McCartney put together “Can’t Buy Me Love,” which was thought to be the better of the two.

You Can’t Do That: Chart Success

Although this song is a B-side, it is still a Beatles song and one that we all know. It’s success was a foregone conclusion with a classic song on the A-side. Indeed, the record became the Beatles fourth number-one hit in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the US, things were more dramatic. The single went to number one there, but the top five places in the US charts were all Beatles recordings! The other songs were “Twist And Shout,“ “She Loves You,“ “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” and “Please Please Me.“ This never happened before or after, so it shows how the British invasion was taking place.

Harry Nilsson loved this song and recorded it, but it was a slower version. Not only that, but it is a piece of Beatles history, containing over 20 Beatles songs in one mashup mix. This has the distinction of being the first mashup that was ahead of it’s time.

Others would follow the mashup style many years later. Of course, The Beatles have their own mashup album called “Love.”

The Nilsson mashup version of “You Can’t Do That” didn’t make the top 100 in the US but got in the top ten in Canada.

Take A Listen

Now that you are armed with the information, press play and listen to the song again. Once you do, take time out to leave your thoughts below. But you can also use our forum to mix with other like-minded people.