"Slow Down" is a rock and roll song written and performed by Larry Williams. It was recorded in 1957. AllMusic writer Stewart Mason called it "loud and wild, similar to punk rock, which didn't exist yet." Specialty Records released it as a single in 1958, but only the second song, "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy," reached the record charts. Both songs were later performed by the Beatles.
Recording
Williams recorded the song at Master Recorders in Hollywood, California, on September 11, 1957. A music journalist named Gene Sculatti said the backup musicians played "very powerful, not fake or showy, almost feeling like it might get too wild with its strong piano and powerful saxophone. 'Slow Down' is probably Williams's most stylish song." The personnel includes:
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 parts three days later. Parlophone released the song on the Long Tall Sally EP in the UK in June. 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.
"Slow Down" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song is also included on the 1988 Past Masters compilation. A performance specifically recorded for broadcast by the BBC is found on the album Live at the BBC (1994).
In his book Revolution in the Head, Ian MacDonald criticizes the performance as "one of the Beatles' least successful rock-and-roll covers," saying it lacks "strong rhythm, energy, and unity." He also notes that the guitar solo is poorly played and the sound balance is unclear. He points out an edit at 1:14 where the piano briefly stops, and McCartney's bass becomes hard to hear. According to MacDonald, the personnel includes:
However, author John C. Winn states that Harrison played the lead guitar on the track. Musicologist Walter Everett also lists Harrison as the lead guitarist, and says he played his parts on a Gretsch Country Gentleman.