Slow Down

"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." Specialty Records released it as a single in 1958, but only the second-side "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" reached the record charts. Both songs were later covered by the Beatles. Recording Williams recorded the song at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California, on September 11, 1957. 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". The personnel includes: Larry Williams – vocal, piano Jewell Grant – baritone sax Plas Johnson – tenor sax René Hall – guitar Ted Brinson – bass Earl Palmer – drums The Beatles rendition On June 1, 1964, the Beatles recorded most of their version of "Slow Down" at EMI Studio 2 in London. Producer George Martin added piano overdubs three days later. Parlophone released the song on the Long Tall Sally EP in June in the UK. 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.