"Slow Down" | ||||
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![]() US picture sleeve | ||||
Single by Larry Williams | ||||
A-side | "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" | |||
Released | March 1958 | |||
Recorded | September 11, 1957 | |||
Studio | Masters Records, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 2:40 | |||
Label | Specialty | |||
Songwriter(s) | Larry Williams | |||
Larry Williams singles chronology | ||||
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"Slow Down" is a rock and roll song written and performed by Larry Williams. Recorded in 1957, AllMusic writer Stewart Mason describes it as "raucous enough to be punk rock nearly a full two decades before the concept was even in existence." [1] Specialty Records released it as a single in 1958, but only the second-side "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" reached the record charts. [2] Both songs were later covered by the Beatles.
Williams recorded the song at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California, on September 11, 1957. [3] Music journalist Gene Sculatti describes the instrumentation provided by the back-up musicians as "unstoppable, nongimmicky, almost careening out of control with its pounding piano and booting sax, 'Slow Down' is arguably Williams's hippest track". [3] The personnel includes:
"Slow Down" | ||||
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US picture sleeve (reverse) | ||||
Single by the Beatles | ||||
A-side | "Matchbox" | |||
Released |
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Recorded | June 1 & 4, 1964 | |||
Studio | EMI 2, London | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | Larry Williams | |||
Producer(s) | George Martin | |||
The Beatles USsingles chronology | ||||
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On June 1, 1964, the Beatles recorded most of their version of "Slow Down" at EMI Studio 2 in London. [4] Producer George Martin added piano overdubs three days later. [4] Parlophone released the song on the Long Tall Sally EP in June in the UK. [4] In July, the song was included on the American album Something New . Capitol Records also released it as a single, with "Matchbox" (also from the Long Tall Sally EP) as the A-side, on August 24, 1964. [4]
"Slow Down" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. [5] The song is also included on the 1988 Past Masters compilation. [4] A performance specifically recorded for broadcast by the BBC is found on the album Live at the BBC (1994).
In his book Revolution in the Head , Ian MacDonald criticizes the performance as "one of the Beatles' least successful rock-and-roll covers", lacking "bottom, drive and basic cohesion" and states that "The guitar solo is embarrassing and the sound balance a shambles". [6] He also points out the edit at 1:14 where the piano momentarily disappears and McCartney's bass becomes inaudible. According to MacDonald, the personnel includes:
However, author John C. Winn states that Harrison played the lead guitar on the track. [4] Musicologist Walter Everett also lists Harrison as the lead guitarist, and says he played his parts on a Gretsch Country Gentleman. [7]