| "Slow Down" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 US picture sleeve | ||||
| Single byLarry Williams | ||||
| A-side | "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" | |||
| Released | March 1958 (1958-03) | |||
| Recorded | September 11, 1957 | |||
| Studio | Masters Records, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Length | 2:40 | |||
| Label | Specialty | |||
| Songwriter | Larry Williams | |||
| Larry Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Slow Down" is arock and roll song written and performed byLarry Williams. Recorded in 1957,AllMusic writer Stewart Mason describes it as "raucous enough to bepunk rocknearly 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 bythe Beatles.
Williams recorded the song at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California, on September 11, 1957.[3] Music journalistGene 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" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 US picture sleeve (reverse) | ||||
| Single bythe Beatles | ||||
| A-side | "Matchbox" | |||
| Released |
| |||
| Recorded | June 1 & 4, 1964 | |||
| Studio | EMI 2, London | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Length | 2:54 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter | Larry Williams | |||
| Producer | George Martin | |||
| The Beatles US singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
On June 1, 1964, the Beatles recorded most of their version of "Slow Down" atEMI Studio 2 in London.[4] ProducerGeorge Martin added piano overdubs three days later.[4]Parlophone released the song on theLong Tall Sally EP in June in the UK.[4] In July, the song was included on the American albumSomething New.Capitol Records also released it as a single, with "Matchbox" (also from theLong Tall Sally EP) as the A-side, on August 24, 1964.[4]
"Slow Down" reached number 25 on theBillboard Hot 100 singles chart.[5] The song is also included on the 1988Past Masters compilation.[4] A performance specifically recorded for broadcast by the BBC is found on the albumLive at the BBC (1994).
In his bookRevolution 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] MusicologistWalter Everett also lists Harrison as the lead guitarist, and says he played his parts on aGretsch Country Gentleman.[7]
| Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard Hot 100[8] | 25 |
