Music enthusiasts and Beatles aficionados are in for a treat as a rare recording has surfaced – Paul McCartney’s solo acoustic rendition of “A World Without Love,” the chart-topping hit by Peter and Gordon. This previously unheard version, showcasing McCartney’s raw talent, offers a fascinating glimpse into the song’s early days before it became a global sensation for Peter and Gordon in 1964.
The existence of this unique tape was brought to light by Peter Asher himself, one half of the iconic duo Peter and Gordon. Asher, who was also the brother of McCartney’s then-girlfriend Jane Asher, stumbled upon this musical treasure trove in his archives. Back in early 1964, McCartney resided at the Asher family residence, sharing the top floor with Peter. Asher recalls their shared passion for recording, stating, “He had two tape machines and I had one – we were both into taping. Paul told me about the song and played it for me.” This intimate setting provided the backdrop for McCartney’s solo performance of “A World Without Love,” captured on tape for posterity.
[alt text: Peter Asher and Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon, a popular 1960s music duo, performing on stage with guitars.]
Interestingly, despite being credited to Lennon-McCartney, the song “A World Without Love” was primarily penned by McCartney. However, initial reactions to the song were lukewarm. Asher recounts, “No one wanted it. John didn’t like it or something.” Even Billy J. Kramer, a prominent figure in the Merseybeat scene, passed on the opportunity to record it. This rejection makes the unearthed McCartney demo even more significant, highlighting the song’s journey from near obscurity to becoming a Number One hit for Peter and Gordon.
[alt text: Paul McCartney in 1964, playing acoustic guitar and singing, during the early Beatles era.]
The story of how Peter and Gordon eventually recorded “A World Without Love” is also intertwined with Asher’s discovery. Shortly after McCartney played the song for Asher and recorded this demo, Peter and Gordon secured a record deal. Asher immediately recognized the potential of the “unfinished ballad” and asked McCartney if they could record it. McCartney readily agreed, but the song was still missing a crucial element – the bridge. Asher had to persistently “nag him to write the bridge,” which McCartney delivered just weeks later, perfectly timed for their recording session. This explains why the newly discovered tape lacks the bridge section of “A World Without Love,” offering a glimpse into an earlier, incomplete version of the song.
Asher’s rediscovery of this recording, a DAT tape copied from the original reel-to-reel, happened in a Los Angeles storage space. While there are currently no plans for a commercial release of this precious demo of “A World Without Love” by Paul McCartney, Beatles enthusiasts have a chance to experience it through Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the ‘60s and Beyond. Asher’s touring show features this rare recording, along with another gem from the same bedroom session – an early, more upbeat rendition of “I’ll Follow the Sun.” Fans in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Clear Lake, Iowa, are among the fortunate ones who might get to hear this piece of music history live. This unearthed demo serves as a testament to McCartney’s songwriting genius and the serendipitous journey of “A World Without Love” to becoming a timeless classic, even after initial rejections and existing in its early form primarily in this intimate recording shared between friends.
