- Published on 1964
- Author: Buddy Holly
- Track 9 on “Beatles For Sale“
About “Words of Love”
The Beatles recorded a cover version of the song on October 18, 1964 for the UK album Beatles for Sale. It first appeared in the U.S. on the album Beatles VI. It was also on a 7-inch extended play, Beatles for Sale No. 2, released by Parlophone/EMI in 1965.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were fans of Holly, sang in harmony with George Harrison, holding to the vocal and instrumental sound of Holly’s original as well as they could.
Before their big break, the group had performed the song live between 1958 and 1962, with Lennon and Harrison singing. For the official release, though, Lennon and McCartney shared vocal duties. The song only took two takes, along with a vocal overdub.
Ringo Starr played a packing case on this song instead of drums, to achieve a similar sound to Holly’s “Every Day”.
Meaning of “Words of Love”
The lyrics of “Words of Love” express the simple yet profound sentiment of love. The narrator emphasizes the power and significance of spoken words of affection and endearment. The song conveys a feeling of warmth, intimacy, and a desire to express love openly.
“Words of Love” is a heartfelt ode to the importance of verbal expressions of love, set to a sweet and melodic tune. The Beatles’ rendition of this Buddy Holly song adds their distinctive touch to the timeless theme of affection and connection.
Personnel
- John Lennon – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, bass
- George Harrison – harmony vocals, double-tracked lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, packing case
Personnel according to Ian MacDonald
