Mama Can’t Buy You Love

~ Recording by Elton John

Appears on releases

#TitleLengthTrack artistRelease titleRelease artistRelease group typeCountry/DateLabelCatalog#
Official
1.3Mama Can't Buy You Love4:03Elton JohnThe Thom Bell SessionsElton JohnEP
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)
1.3Mama Can't Buy You Love4:03Elton JohnThe Thom Bell Sessions '77Elton JohnSingle
The Rocket Record CompanyXPRES 13-12
1.9Mama Can't Buy You Love4:00Elton JohnMilestonesElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III, 1979-1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • US1987-11-12
Geffen RecordsM2G 24153
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnElton John's Greatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987 (DADC pressing, DIDX 002241 CD label)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen Records9 24153-2
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III: 1979-1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen Records9 24153-2
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987 (BMG music club release)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen Records, BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions)9 24153-2, D 134463
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
MCA Records Canada (1970–1995)MCAMD-10484
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen RecordsCD 24153
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen RecordsGHS 24153
1.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:08Elton JohnThe Complete Thom Bell SessionsElton JohnEP
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCAD-39115
3.11Mama Can't Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnTo Be Continued…Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCAD4-10110
3.11Mama Can't Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnTo Be Continued…Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCAD4-10110
3.11Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnTo Be Continued…Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • -1990
3.11Mama Can't Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnTo Be Continued…Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
The Rocket Record Company848 237-2, 848 238-2, 848 239-2, 848 240-2
1.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnThe Last SongElton JohnSingle
  • JP1992-12-21
The Rocket Record CompanyPHCR-8021
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits 1976-1986Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCAD-10693
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits 1976-1986 (BMG club edition)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions), MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)D 100150, MCAD-10693
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits 1976-1986Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990), Columbia House (distributor, a division of CBS Records Canada Ltd.), Happenstance Limited (record and publishing company)MCAD-10693
1.2Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnGreatest Hits 1976-1986Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Happenstance Limited (record and publishing company), Island (imprint of Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group), BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions)314 548 840-2, D 140522
1.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnThe Last Song (Volume 2 of 2)Elton JohnSingle
Phonogram, The Rocket Record Company864 583-2, EJSCB 30
3.11Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnTo Be Continued…Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XW2000-10-31
EMI (EMI Records, or EMI Music only if there is no other imprint)
1.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnThe Complete Thom Bell SessionsElton JohnEP
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCBBD-39115
1.13Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • US2017-11-03
Virgin EMI Records (division of Universal Music UK, 2013–2020)
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamonds (deluxe edition)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • US2017-11-10
Island (imprint of Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group)
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamonds (deluxe)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • -2017-11-10
Virgin EMI Records (division of Universal Music UK, 2013–2020)
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamonds (deluxe)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XW2017-11-10
UMC (branded originally by its full name “Universal Music Catalogue” between 2006–2016; rebranded as Universal Music Recordings in 2023)
3.4Mama Can't Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • PL2017-11-10
Rocket Music Ltd., UCM Records, Virgin EMI Records (division of Universal Music UK, 2013–2020)00602557681901
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamonds (deluxe edition)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • US2017-11-10
Virgin EMI Records (division of Universal Music UK, 2013–2020)
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamonds (Deluxe) (iTunes/Deezer/Spotify)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XW2017-11-10
UMC (branded originally by its full name “Universal Music Catalogue” between 2006–2016; rebranded as Universal Music Recordings in 2023)
1.13Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Island (imprint of Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group)B0027432-02, B002743202
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamonds (3CD Deluxe 2019)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Rocket Entertainment (imprint of Rocket Music / Rocket Record company), UMC (branded originally by its full name “Universal Music Catalogue” between 2006–2016; rebranded as Universal Music Recordings in 2023), Virgin EMI Records (division of Universal Music UK, 2013–2020)7754089
3.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Island (imprint of Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group), Rocket Entertainment (imprint of Rocket Music / Rocket Record company)B0030212-02
1.37Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XE2025-01-03
EMI (EMI Records, or EMI Music only if there is no other imprint), Rocket Entertainment (imprint of Rocket Music / Rocket Record company), Universal Music Recordings (imprint of Universal Music Operations Ltd.; renamed from UMC in early 2023)00602465948158, 659 481-5
1.85Mama Can't Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamonds (SDE Surround Series)Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XE2025-01-03
EMI (EMI Records, or EMI Music only if there is no other imprint), Rocket Entertainment (imprint of Rocket Music / Rocket Record company), Universal Music Recordings (imprint of Universal Music Operations Ltd.; renamed from UMC in early 2023)00602465948158, 659 481-5
2.37Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:04Elton JohnDiamondsElton JohnAlbum + Compilation
  • XE2025-01-03
EMI (EMI Records, or EMI Music only if there is no other imprint), Rocket Entertainment (imprint of Rocket Music / Rocket Record company), Universal Music Recordings (imprint of Universal Music Operations Ltd.; renamed from UMC in early 2023)00602465948158, 659 481-5
Promotion
1.4Mama Can't Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnThe Complete Thom Bell SessionsElton JohnEP
MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990)MCA-19115
Bootleg
1.4Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:08Elton JohnThe Complete Thom Bell Sessions (Merged Versions)Elton John
(unknown)
1.1Mama Can't Buy You Love4:03Elton JohnMama Can't Buy You LoveElton JohnSingle
  • -1979
1.2Mama Can’t Buy You Love4:05Elton JohnElton John's Greatest Hits, Volume III: 1979–1987Elton JohnAlbum + Compilation
Geffen Records9 24153-2

Relationships

recorded in:Seattle, Washington, United States (in 1977)
mixed in:London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1979-01-25)
assistant engineer:Jeff Stewart
Buz Richmond
engineer:Don Murray (producer / engineer)
producer:Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
mixer:Clive Franks (on 1979-01-25)
Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer) (on 1979-01-25)
drums (drum set):Charles Collins (drummer)
electric bass guitar [bass]:Bob Babbitt
guitar:Tony Bell (American 1970s musician, songwriter & engineer)
Bobby Eli
guitar [guitar overdubs]:Casey Jones (Funk/Soul artist from the late 70's)
Leroy M. Bell
horn [horns] and strings and strings:MFSB
keyboard:Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
percussion:Larry Washington (percussionist)
synthesizer [synthesizer overdubs]:Casey Jones (Funk/Soul artist from the late 70's)
background vocals:The Spinners (The Detroit Spinners, US R&B/soul group, aka The Detroit Spinners)
lead vocals:Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer)
conductor:Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
arranger:Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
remixed at:Utopia Studios (London) in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1979-01-25)
recording of:Mama Can't Buy You Love (in 1977)

Mama Can't Buy You Love

writer:LeRoy Bell
Casey James (of Bell & James)