A World Without Love

A World Without Love was composed by Paul McCartney (attributed to Lennon/McCartney). The Beatles never released a recording of it. In fact, the only known recording of this song by a member of the group is Paul's demo track. Paul never thought the song was up to snuff for the Beatles, so after writing it, he offered it to Billy J. Kramer, who decided against recording it. Then he offered it to the British duo Peter and Gordon. They released it as their first single record in February of 1964, and it went to Number 1 in the UK two months later and to Billboard's Hot 100 as number 1 in June. (The b-side of the single was "If I Were You," written by Peter and Gordon.) The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has included A World Without Love in its list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Lennon is reported to have liked the first line: "Please lock me away." He thought, well, if they did that, the song would be over before it got started.