Slow Down

Album: Past Masters Volume 1 (1964)
Play Video
  • Well, come on pretty baby won't you walk with me
    Come on pretty baby won't you talk with me
    Come on pretty baby give me one more chance
    Try and save our romance
    Slow down

    Baby, now you're moving way too fast
    You gotta gimme little loving
    Gimme little loving
    Ow, if you want our love to last

    Well, I used to walk you home, baby, after school
    Carry your books home, too
    But now you got a boyfriend down the street
    Baby what're you trying to do
    You better slow down

    Baby, now you're moving way too fast
    You gotta gimme little loving
    Gimme little loving
    Brrr, if you want our love to last

    Well, you know that I love you, tell the world I do
    Come on pretty baby, why can't you be true
    I need you badly, baby, oh so bad
    The best little woman I ever had
    Slow down

    Baby, now you're moving way too fast
    You gotta gimme little loving
    Gimme little loving
    Ow, if you want our love to last Writer/s: Larry Williams
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, COHEN AND COHEN, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI know a lot of fans including the guys themselves hated the song, but I really liked it, especially George Martin's piano.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaLuLu it's Baby what you trying to do.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 30th 1964, the Beatles' "Matchbox" and the flip-side, "Slow Down", both entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, "Matchbox" at position #81 and "Slow Down" at #99...
    "Matchbox" would peak at #17 {for 1 week} on October 11th, 1964, while "Slow Down" reached its highest position at #25 {for 1 week} on October 4th, 1964...
    The original version of "Slow Down" was released by its composer, Larry Williams, and was the B-side of "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy", which reached #69 on the Top 100 in 1958...
    R.I.P. John, George, and Mr. Williams {1935 - 1980}.
  • Carl from Apg, MdI am seeing "Album: Past Masters Volume 1 Released: 1964". No, "Past Masters" was released MUCH later. The only 1964 album release I know of for "Slow Down" by The Beatles was on the Capitol "Something New" album in the U.S.
    Please fix the reference I just quoted.
  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationAndrew Hickey in 'The Beatles In Mono' Book: "While McCartney was the Little Richard fan of the group, Lennon was always an admirer of the obscure Richard soundalike Larry Williams. Presumably the band were inspired to record this cover because of its similarity to the Little Richard track, though it's a more strolling pace than the frantic run of Long Tall Sally.
    George Martin plays the same piano part he did for the earlier track, but here it works with the track rather than against it, and while the song itself is nowhere near as good as the Little Richard song, Lennon sells it with conviction (it has much of the same near-violent obsession and jealousy that characterised much of his own output at the time). While the double-tracking is again sloppy (with Lennon forgetting the line "now you've got a boyfriend down the street"), and the track is obviously knocked off quickly, it is still one of the better cover versions from this period of the band's career.
  • Carl from Apg, Md"Dizzy Miss Lizzie" and "Bad Boy" were both on U.S. "Beatles VI" album.
    Then "Dizzy Miss Lizzie" appeard on the British "Help!" album.
  • George from Belleville, NjThis is a high powered rock and roll performance.Lennon's voice rips into the song like a wild man turned loose.A great rocking number from their early years.Great lead guitar work.Every moment a thrill to listen to.Exciting.
  • John from Eugene, OrSee Songfacts for 'Bad Boy'. Larry Williams was NOT 'groomed' to take Little Richard's place. Larry Williams rocked and he wrote great songs. They were both on the same label at the same time and that was great for Art Rupe, the owner of Specialty records. In that respect, you could say that Specialty records was on the same influential par as Sun records. You simply can not discount the influence that both of these artists had on rock n roll and the Beatles which, of course, had an influence on us. Too bad they don't rock out like this any more; can you imagine what it was like LIVE! (Turn It Up!)How would you have liked to go to a small club and listen to the Beatles play 'Bad Boy', 'Slow Down' and 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy' while you danced right in front of the band. Incredible!
  • Lulu from New Orleans, LaDoes anyone else hear where he says "but now you've got a boyfriend down the street..." but also says "girl" at the same time? It sounds like he's double-tracked but why did he say "girl"?
  • Adam from Los Angeles, CaYou can especially hear Lennon's driving rythmn guitar the most on the last verse right after he sings the words: 'baaaaby now your mooovin' way too fast'. And you're right, Steve, what a rocker it is!
  • Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, CaForrest from Rochester...lol...
    Well,it's a rocker, and the 45 version put out by Capitol here in the States has a nice "rock concert" like sound with the added echo.Lennon as a rock singer sounds great on this one!
  • Rise from Exeter, CaThe (Young)Rascals did a cover on their eponymous debut album. Felix Caviliere and Gene Cornish fired off great licks behind Felix's "white soul" vocals. It's my favorite version of "Slow Down."
  • Steve from Fenton, MoI think this is one of the Beatles better cover songs with a great vocal by Lennon.
  • Forrest from Rochester, MnThis is as close as it comes to a Beatles song that I hate.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."