Song of the Week #12: “Words of Love”
Written by admin on July 26, 2010 – 7:00 am - |
One of Buddy Holly’s finest ballads, “Words of Love,” is this week’s Song of the Week.
“Words of Love” was released on June 20, 1957, backed with “Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues.” |
Recording date/location
“Words of Love” was recorded on April 8, 1957 at the Norman Petty Studio in Clovis, New Mexico.
Authorship
The song was written solely by Buddy Holly.
Musicians
“Words of Love” featured Buddy on lead guitar and lead vocals, Jerry Allison on drums and Joe B. Maudlin on bass.
Chart performance
As incongruous as it seems now, given how well loved the song is, “Words of Love” failed to chart. This would have been particularly disappointing, given the number one success of Buddy’s previous single “That’ll Be the Day.” However, Holly would soon be back in the top 10 with “Peggy Sue” (#3) and “Oh Boy!” (#10).
Covers
The Diamonds – “Words of Love”
The Diamonds, who are most well known for their cover of the Gladiola’s “Little Darlin'” reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their version of “Words of Love” in July 1957. The doo-wop arrangement lacks the subtlety of the original.
The Beatles – “Words of Love”
This was one of several covers on The Beatles’ “Beatles for Sale” album. They recorded the track in October 1964, but had been playing it live for several years. The Beatles were fans of Buddy Holly and stuck close to the original arrangement with their version.
Paul McCartney revisted “Words of Love” for the television show “The Real Buddy Holly Story” in 1985.
Tags: Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Words of Love
Posted in Rock 'n' roll, Song of the Week |
