"Words of Love" is a song written by Buddy Holly and recorded by him on April 8, 1957. Holly harmonized for himself, by tape-recording each part and combining them. The song was not a notable hit for Holly, although it is regarded as one of his important recordings, and is available in most standard Holly collections.[1]
A version by The Diamonds, released on May 20, 1957 on Mercury Records, reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 in July, 1957. The Diamonds also performed the song live on the ABC television show Circus Time on June 27, 1957 and included the song on the 1962 Mercury LP album Pop Hits, MGW 12178.
1957 45 single release by The Diamonds, Mercury 71128X45. The songwriting credit was "Buddy Holley" on the label.
A 1993 eponymous compilation album released by PolyGram in the UK reached no. 1 and was certified Gold.[2]
The Beatles' version
The song was also covered by The Beatles on the album Beatles for Sale. In the United States, it was on the album Beatles VI. It was also on Beatles for Sale No. 2, a 7" extended play released in 1965 on Parlophone/EMI. The Beatles' version was recorded on October 18, 1964. John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were fans of Holly, harmonized on their version, holding to the vocal and instrumental sound of Holly's original as well as they could. When they had played this song in their early days at the Cavern Club in 1961 and 1962, Lennon and George Harrison were the vocalists. Ringo Starr played a packing case on this song as well as drums, to achieve a similar sound to Holly's "Everyday."<ref Official Beatles' version
Personnel
- Personnel per Ian MacDonald[3]
Other recordings
A 1963 performance of "Words of Love" recorded for BBC broadcast is included on the 2013 compilation On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2. The recording also appeared on a 5 song promotional EP from the album, as well as on a DVD or Blu-ray included with the 2015 release 1+.
Other cover versions
- Jessica Lea Mayfield covered the song for the Starbucks compilation Sweetheart: Our Favorite Artists Sing Their Favorite Love Songs.
- Paul McCartney recorded a version in 1985 on acoustic guitar which was featured in the documentary The Real Buddy Holly Story.
- Pat DiNizio covered the song for his tribute CD, Pat DiNizio/Buddy Holly, in 2009.
- Power Pop band Shoes covered the tune for the 1989 Buddy Holly tribute album Everyday Is A Holly-Day.
- Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs released a recording of the song in 1964 on the album Buddy's Buddy.
- Mike Berry released the song in 1999 on the tribute album Buddy---A Life in Music on the Hallmark label.[4]
- The Pete Best Band recorded the song in 1999.
- Jeremy Jay recorded the song in 2009.
- Patti Smith's cover of the song is featured on the 2011 release Rave on Buddy Holly, a tribute album featuring performances of Holly's music by various artists.
- Jeff Lynne contributed a cover version for the tribute album, Listen to Me: Buddy Holly released in September 2011.
Notes
External links
