Words Of Love

Words Of Love

Written by: Buddy Holly
Recorded: October 18, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: October 26 and November 4, 1964
Length: 2:10
Takes: 3
Musicians:
John Lennon: lead harmony vocal, rhythm guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 325)
Paul McCartney: lead harmony vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitar (1962 Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig), percussion (suitcase)
George Martin: piano (1905 Steinway Vertegrand "Mrs. Mills")
Available on: (CDs in bold)
Beatles For Sale, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1240, PCS 3062; Parlophone CDP 7 46438 2)
Beatles For Sale No. 2 (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8931)
Beatles VI, (US: Capitol (S)T 2358, Capitol CDP 0946 3 57499 2 2)

History:

• Although the Beatles (especially Paul) were major Buddy Holly fans, and played many Holly songs in their early days, including "Peggy Sue," "Maybe Baby," "Think It Over," "That'll Be The Day," "It's So Easy," "Raining In My Heart," "Reminiscing," "Crying, Waiting, Hoping," and "Everyday," this is the only official Holly cover released in the band's lifetime. (An impromptu version of Holly's "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues" was captured during the Get Back/Let It Be rehearsals, and is available on Anthology 3.)
• This was one of the last-minute covers selected for inclusion on Beatles For Sale and recorded during the marathon nine-hour session on October 18, 1964. It was the last track recorded at that session, coming just after work was completed on "Rock And Roll Music."
• After an initial false start, "Words Of Love" was completed in two additional takes, one being an overdub, likely of vocals and also Ringo's "percussion" (a suitcase overdubbed over his drum track, or vice-versa).

BBC radio versions: 1 (for the BBC radio program Pop Goes The Beatles)
Trivia:

• The harmony is sung by John and Paul on this track, but in earlier live performances at the Cavern, John and George handled the double lead. Oddly, no known live performances of this song by the Beatles exist, aside from a BBC version.
• Although the Beatles sing in harmony here, the original Buddy Holly song, features him singing in harmony with himself, being one of the first tracks by a major artist to feature vocal overdubbing.
• The mono mix of this track is a full nine seconds longer than the stereo version.