Soldier of Love: Introduction
“Soldier of Love” is a Beatles cover song, which we find on their “Live At The BBC” album from 1994. Originally, this was a single release for Arthur Alexander in June 1962, but it only reached 58 in the American charts.
In Detail
- Release Date: November 30, 1994 (UK), December 5, 1994 (US)
- Recorded: July 2, 1963
- BBC Radio Show: Pop Go the Beatles
- Broadcast Date: July 16, 1963
- Genre: Rhythm and blues
- Track Duration: 1:59
- Record Label: Apple Records
- Songwriters: Buzz Cason, Tony Moon
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: vocals, also rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: backing vocals, also the bass guitar
- George Harrison: backing vocals, also lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “Soldier of Love”
If you need to buy this song, it is available on the following album:
Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms): Background
Arthur Alexander’s single also had “Where Have You Been (All My Life)” on the B-side. Indeed, The Beatles would sing both songs while playing in Hamburg, Germany. These songs were part of their live band repertoire, which would also see the Fab Four sing many more cover versions of songs by other artists.
The Beatles sang two other Alexander’s recordings as well, “A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues” and “Anna (Go To Him).” The latter being on The Beatles’ first album, “Please Please Me,” from 1963, of course. So, the mop-tops obviously admired the singer.
“Anna by Arthur Alexander was on the [first] album, too. I remember having several records by him, and John sang three or four of his songs. Soldier Of Love was one; it appears on the BBC recordings.”
George Harrison
Anthology
Recording Studio
On July 2, 1963, The Beatles recorded “Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)” at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. This was the day after they recorded the massive hit single, “She Loves You,” so they were in fine fettle.
They only recorded “Soldier Of Love” once, and that was for the “Pop Go The Beatles” radio show, which aired on July 16, 1963. This is the version on their 1994 album, “Live At The BBC.”
Take A Listen
Finally, it’s time to give this song a spin. Try it out, then leave us a comment or two below. Better still, if you have the BBC recording, let us know what you think of it.
