"Words of Love" is a song written by Buddy Holly and released as a single in 1957 on Coral Records.
Original version Holly recorded the song on April 8, 1957, at Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. Holly harmonized with himself, by combining tape recordings of each part. 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.
A compilation album, Words of Love, released by PolyGram in the UK in 1993, reached number 1 and was certified as a gold record.
The Diamonds version
A doo-wop version by the Diamonds, released by Mercury Records on May 20, 1957, reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1957, making the song Holly's first hit, though as a composer not performer. The Diamonds also performed the song live on the ABC television show Circus Time on June 27, 1957, and included it on the 1962 Mercury LP album Pop Hits (MGW 12178).
The Beatles' version
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 US 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. The mono mix is longer than the stereo mix.
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
Other cover versions Pat DiNizio covered the song for his tribute CD, Pat DiNizio/Buddy Holly, 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. Albert Lee on the 2019 tribute album Gypsy Man.Albert Lee. Second Hand Songs. The Pete Best Band in 2019 on the Casbah Coffee Club album.The Pete Best Band. Second Hand Songs. Bobby Vee on the 1999 album Down the Line.Bobby Vee. Down the Line. Second Hand Songs. Jeff Lynne recorded the song on the tribute album Listen to Me in 2011.Jeff Lynne. "Words of Love". Listen to Me. Second Hand Songs.
References
Sources Bustard, Anne (2005). Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly. Simon & Schuster. . Dawson, Jim; Leigh, Spencer (1996). Memories of Buddy Holly. Big Nickel Publications. . Goldrosen, John; Beecher, John (1996). Remembering Buddy: The Definitive Biography. New York: Da Capo Press. . Goldrosen, John (1975). Buddy Holly: His Life and Music. Popular Press. Laing, Dave (1971–2010). Buddy Holly. Icons of Pop Music. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. . . Mann, Alan (1996). The A-Z of Buddy Holly. Aurum Press (2nd edition). or 978–1854104335. Norman, Phillip (1996) Rave On: The Biography of Buddy Holly. Simon & Schuster Publishing. . Peer, Elizabeth and Ralph II (1972). Buddy Holly: A Biography in Words, Photographs and Music Australia: Peer International. ASIN B000W24DZO. Peters, Richard (1990). The Legend That Is Buddy Holly. Barnes & Noble Books. or 978–0285630055. Rabin, Stanton (2009). OH BOY! The Life and Music of Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer Buddy Holly. Van Winkle Publishing (Kindle). ASIN B0010QBLLG. Tobler, John (1979). The Buddy Holly Story. Beaufort Books.