Words of Love (The Mamas & the Papas song)

"Words of Love" is a song appearing on the album The Mamas & the Papas. The song was written by John Phillips, and featured Cass Elliot as the primary vocalist. It was released as a single in November 1966 (backed with a cover of Martha and the Vandellas's "Dancing in the Street").

"Words of Love"
Single by The Mamas & the Papas
from the album The Mamas & the Papas
B-side"Dancing in the Street"
ReleasedNovember 1966
Recorded1966
GenrePsychedelic pop, folk rock
Length2:13
LabelDunhill
Songwriter(s)John Phillips
Producer(s)Lou Adler
The Mamas & the Papas singles chronology
"Look Through My Window"
(1966)		 "Words of Love"
(1966)		 "Dedicated to the One I Love"
(1966)

Given the disappointing chart placement of the prior single, Look Through My Window, hopes were high that Words of Love would return the group to the upper reaches of the charts: on the week of January 21, 1967, the single fulfilled this hope, as it reached No. 5 in the United States.[1] Overseas, it peaked at No. 47 in the United Kingdom.

Michelle Phillips provided her high pitched "NO" before the refrain of the song.

The mono single, while approximately the same running time as the stereo version, contains a horn section overdub not heard in the stereo mix, extra backing vocals, and a more prominent piano; Elliot's vocals fade out a bit sooner near the end.

The B-Side, "Dancing in the Street", is a cover of the Martha and the Vandellas smash from 1964. The Mamas & the Papas used the song in their live performances, and this flip side garnered enough airplay on its own accord to reach #73 on the Billboard Pop Chart.

Later uses

In 1971, Mama Cass featured "Words of Love" as the B-side of one of her UK single releases, "One Way Ticket."[2] This inclusion provided "Words of Love" with additional exposure in Britain, given its relatively tepid chart showing five years earlier.

Cover versions
  • In 2008, Nicole Atkins did a cover for an exclusive Barnes & Noble three track promotional sampler CD "Introducing Nicole Atkins" in conjunction with her appearance for their "Upstairs at the Square" series held in Manhattan.

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 392.
  2. "Mama Cass Elliot - One Way Ticket / Words Of Love - Probe - UK - PRO 537". 45cat.com. 1971-09-03. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  3. Leeds, Sarene (May 20, 2013). "'Mad Men' Recap: Monday Morning Coming Down". Rolling Stone.


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