Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles

Released in 1964

It's For You

Written by Lennon - McCartney

Last updated on August 28, 2019


Album This song officially appears on the It's For You EP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1964

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other Lennon-McCartney songs given away to Cilla Black

From Wikipedia:

It’s for You” is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles for Cilla Black for whom it was a UK Top Ten hit in 1964. The song was mainly a McCartney composition.

Paul McCartney, who had been present at Abbey Road Studios when Cilla Black had recorded her breakthrough hit “Anyone Who Had a Heart“, had written “It’s for You” with John Lennon using “Anyone Who Had a Heart” as the model although Black herself has opined: “For my money, [‘It’s for You’] is nothing like the ‘Anyone…’ composition.” On 3 June 1964 McCartney cut a demo of “It’s for You” to give to Black and producer George Martin. Black recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios that 2 July with Martin producing the session and she would recall: “That was some session…John [Lennon] and Paul [McCartney] joined me and George Martin. We made one track and then everyone had a go at suggesting how they thought it should be recorded. George said it should be one way, John and Paul another and I just added my suggestions while they were thinking of what else they could do with the composition.

Having Black, well publicized as an associate of the Beatles, record a Lennon–McCartney tune did not result in the anticipated smash hit: “It’s for You” followed Black’s back-to-back #1 hits: “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World“, into the Top Ten but remained there for only two weeks – 29 August & 5 September 1964 – at #8 and #7.

In the US “It’s for You” became Black’s second single release in September 1964: although the precedent “You’re My World” had reached the US Top 30, “It’s for You” rose no higher on the Billboard Hot 100 than #79.

It’s for You” reached #17 in Australia.

Although Black recorded several Beatles’ songs to be album cuts she only had one later single release of a Lennon–McCartney song: “Step Inside Love” #8 in 1968.

In September 2012, Paul McCartney may have recorded It’s For You, with Diana Krall, according to this site. This recording has remained unissued and hasn’t surfaced yet.

In 2016, a demo of It’s For You recorded by Paul McCartney in 1964 was found and sold for £18,000 at auction. From BBC.com, August 27, 2016:

McCartney recorded his own version earlier that year [1964], which was delivered to Black while she was performing at the London Palladium. It was believed to have been lost or destroyed until her nephew found it.

The disc fetched £18,000 at the Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Unity Theatre in Liverpool but with commission the unknown buyer will pay £21,060.

Simon White said he believed his paternal aunt – whose birth name was Priscilla White – gave the disc to his late father in the mid-60s. “My father was an avid record collector who took great care of his record collection, and he personally created the cardboard sleeve in which the acetate demo has been stored in his collection for more than 50 years.

Mr White assumed the copy was of his aunt’s version and took it with other items to be valued at The Beatles Shop in Mathew Street, Liverpool. Stephen Bailey, who has managed the store for 31 years, said they played what they thought were 21 demo discs by Black.

We got to the last one and, as soon as I heard it, I thought: ‘Oh God, that’s not Cilla Black, it’s Paul McCartney’.” “I was shaking with excitement and speechless.

He added: “Apart from a few crackles, which you get with acetates, the quality is fine. It’s a wonderful recording. I can’t think of finding anything better unless I discover there is a sixth Beatle.

Sir Paul was allowed to make a copy of his recording to add to his personal archive, Mr White said.

_90942918_beatlesitsforyoudemo

Lyrics

I'd say someday I'm bound to give my heart away,

When I do - it's for you.

You love, true love seems to be all I'm thinking of,

But it's true, it's for you.


They said that love was a lie,

Told me that I should never try to find

Somebody who'd be kind,

Kind to only me.

So I just tell them they're right,

Who wants a fight?

Tell them I quite agree

Nobody'd love me.


And love comes, love shows, I give my heart and no one knows

That I do, it's for you, it's for you.


And love comes, love shows, I give my heart and no one knows

That I do, it's for you, it's for you.


It's for you.

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.