“Words Of Love” is indeed a cover song by The Beatles from 1964. Indeed 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
Albums/EP
Recorded: 18th October, 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
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
Track Sources
Beatles For Sale
Beatles For Sale No. 2 (EP)
On Air – Live At The BBC Volume 2
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, Peggy Sue, Maybe Baby, Everyday, It’s So Easy, Raining In My Heart and Think It Over. They also recorded, “That’ll Be The Day” and “ Crying, Waiting, Hoping“.
Beatles For Sale Album (1964)
Beatles For Sale No. 2 (EP) (1965)
On Air – Live At The BBC Volume 2 Album (2013)
“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
Before The Beatles became the super group we know and love, they had to start somewhere. By playing songs from their heroes it gives us an insight as to who were 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 the 18th of October, 1964, The Beatles recorded seven songs in nine hours such was the schedule those days. On this occasion the band were 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 the 16th July, 1963 for airing on the 20th August, 1963. That version of the song is available on their “On Air – Live At The BBC Volume 2” album from 2013.
