You Can’t Do That

Producer

One of the first mashups. There are between 17 and 22 Beatles songs referenced. Nilsson was a huge Beatles fan and he Fab Four reciprocated that fanfare with Lennon… Read More

Oct. 23, 19671 viewer

You Can’t Do That Lyrics

[Intro]
My babe don't buy me presents
How can you laugh when you know I'm down?
Beep-beep, beep-beep, yeah

[Verse 1]
I got something to say
That might cause you pain
If I catch you talkin'
To that boy again
Gonna let you down (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
And leave you flat (Gonna let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before (Good day sunshine)
You can't do that (A hard day's night)

[Verse 2]
It's the second time (Ray-ay-ay-ain)
I caught you talkin' to him (I wanna hold your hand)
I got to tell you one more time
I think it's a sin
Gonna let you down (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
And leave you flat (Gonna let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before (Good day sunshine)
You can't do that (Day tripper, yeah)

Paperback writer, yeah

[Bridge]
Everybody's green, sha-la-la-ooh
'Cause I'm the one who stole your love
But if it's seen, sha-la-la-ooh
Me talkin' that way
They'd laugh in my face

[Verse 3]
So, please listen to me
If you wanna stay mine (Would you like to know a secret?)
I can't help this feeling
I'll go out of my mind
I'm gonna let you down (Yes, yes, I'm gonna leave you flat)
And leave you flat (Gonna let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before
You can't believe in yesterday

[Outro]
My babe don't buy me presents (How can you laugh when you know I'm down?)
Beep-beep, beep-beep, yeah
Strawberry Beatles forever

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About

One of the first mashups. There are between 17 and 22 Beatles songs referenced. Nilsson was a huge Beatles fan and he Fab Four reciprocated that fanfare with Lennon famously calling Nilsson his favorite American “band”. Popular belief is that this song is what got the Beatles' attention but it is actually the song ‘1941’ that they noticed first.

Nilsson would later befriend all the Beatles and became especially close with John and Ringo. John also produced at least one of Nilsson’s later albums, ‘Pussycats.’