You Can’t Do That

Track 42 on The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings)

Producer

The twelfth track on the soundtrack to A Hard Day’s Night is one of John Lennon’s most upbeat rock ‘n’ roll songs. It was influenced by Larry Williams, one of Lennon’s… Read More

Mar. 16, 19641 viewer30.7K views

You Can’t Do That Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I got something to say that might cause you pain
If I catch you talking to that boy again
I’m going to let you down
And leave you flat
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that

[Verse 2]
Well, it’s the second time I’ve caught you talking to him
Do I have to tell you one more time, I think it’s a sin
I think I'll let you down (Let you down)
And leave you flat (Going to let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that

[Bridge]
Everybody's green
'Cause I'm the one who won your love
But if they'd seen
You talking that way
They'd laugh in my face

[Verse 3]
So please listen to me if you want to stay mine
I can’t help my feelings, I go out of my mind
I'm going to let you down (Let you down)
And leave you flat (Going to let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that!

[Guitar Solo]
(You can't do that)
(You can't do that)
(You can't do that)
(You can't do that)
(You can't do that)

[Bridge]
Everybody's green
'Cause I'm the one who won your love
But if they'd seen
You talking that way
They'd laugh in my face

[Verse 4]
So please listen to me if you want to stay mine
I can’t help my feelings, I go out of my mind
I'm going to let you down (Let you down)
And leave you flat (Going to let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that!

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Genius Annotation

The twelfth track on the soundtrack to A Hard Day’s Night is one of John Lennon’s most upbeat rock ‘n’ roll songs. It was influenced by Larry Williams, one of Lennon’s heroes; and also incidentally one of only two performers who The Beatles covered three times.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Beatles say about "You Can't Do That"?

Genius Answer

“I got something to say that might cause you pain
If I catch you talking to that boy again”

What has George said about this song?

Genius Answer

Tom Petty has said that George said,

… “You Can’t Do That” came on, with that great riff in the beginning on the 12-string. He [George] goes, “I came up with that.” And I said, “Really? How?” He said, “I was just standing there and thought, ‘I’ve got to do something!’ ” That pretty much sums him up. He just had a way of getting right to the business, of finding the right thing to play. That was part of that Beatles magic – they all seemed to find the right thing to play.

Everybody's green what does that mean lyrically

Genius Answer

It refers to being “green with envy.” Everyone is envious of the singer, because he got the best girl.

What did John Lennon say about this song?

Who produced “You Can't Do That” by The Beatles?

When did The Beatles release “You Can't Do That”?

Who wrote “You Can't Do That” by The Beatles?