Words Of Love: Introduction
“Words Of Love” is a cover song by The Beatles from 1964. This was a minor success for the late, great songwriter, Buddy Holly. However, this Beatles’ version is on their album, “Beatles For Sale.”
In Detail
- Release Date: December 4, 1964 (UK), June 14, 1965 (US)
- Recorded: October 18, 1964
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Pop rock, jangle pop
- Track Duration: 2:12 (mono), 2:02 (stereo)
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriter: Buddy Holly
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocals, also the rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: lead vocals, also the bass guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocals, also the double-tracked lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums, packing case
Where To Find “Words Of Love”
Buddy Holly Influence
In their early days, The Beatles would cover many songs written by other artists. Indeed, “Words Of Love” is one such track, which Buddy Holly wrote in 1957.
In fact, The Beatles would play many Buddy Holly songs at their gigs too. For example, they sang the following:
They also recorded, “That’ll Be The Day” and “ Crying, Waiting, Hoping.”
From that, it’s clear that the Beatles took much influence from Buddy Holly.
Paul McCartney says in the musical autobiography, Anthology:
“Buddy Holly was completely different; he was out of Nashville, so that introduced us to the country music scene. I still like Buddy’s vocal style. And his writing. One of the main things about The Beatles is that we started out writing our own material.
People these days take it for granted that you do, but nobody used to then. John and I started to write because of Buddy Holly. It was like, ‘Wow! He writes and is a musician.'”
Words Of Love: Background
Before The Beatles became the supergroup we know and love, they had to start somewhere. By playing songs from their heroes, it gives us an insight as to who was influential to the Fab Four in their early days. “Words Of Love” is one of those songs which gives a positive link to the Buddy Holly influence, even if you never heard the original!
John Lennon sings the lower harmony, while Paul McCartney, as usual, sings the higher harmony. Many people believe that they can hear George Harrison signing in harmony as well but it’s difficult to tell.
Recording Studio
On October 18, 1964, The Beatles recorded seven songs in nine hours, which was the schedule for those days. On this occasion, the band was in a rush to finish the album, Beatles For Sale. “Words Of Love” was the last recording of the day, which took only two takes, and this even included the vocal overdubs!
Ringo Starr’s percussion equipment included his drum kit, or course. However, he also used a suitcase (packing case), which gives a more muffled sound on the bass.
As well as being on the “Beatles For Sale” album from 1964, the song is also on their EP, “Beatles For Sale No.2” from 1965. However, The Fab Four had their own BBC Radio show called Pop Go The Beatles and they sang it on that show too.
They recorded the show on July 16, 1963, for airing on August 20, 1963. That version of the song is available on their “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2” album from 2013.
Take A Listen
OK, now that you have a lot of information about the song, give it a spin. It is clear that the Fab Four loved Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Indeed, without rock and roll coming from America, how would the Beatles have developed otherwise? Let us know your thoughts below.
