Slow Down

Larry Williams originally wrote and performed Slow Down, which came out in the US in 1958. It is a fairly standard 12-bar blues, released on the b-side of another 12-bar blues, Dizzy Miss Lizzy. The Beatles covered both songs in their early years as part of their performance set. They also recorded Slow Down more than once. The recording that was preserved on the Past Masters compilation was made for the Long, Tall Sally EP on June 1, 1964, during the Hard Day's Night recording sessions. Of the six takes, take three was chosen, and then Lennon overdubbed his lead vocals onto it. The EP came out in the UK on June 19, 1964. In the US, the same track was released as a single on July 20, 1964, on the b-side of Matchbox. It can also be found on Something New. Departing from their usual configuration, the group recorded Slow Down with Harrison rhythm guitar and Lennon on lead guitar. (George Martin added piano three days after the recording session.) The compilation Live at the BBC contains a different recording, one made on July 16, 1963 at London's Paris Theater for the BBC's Pop! Go the Beatles radio show.