These days, many know The Yardbirds as much for the incredible lead guitarists that passed through their lineup as much as for their music. But make no mistake, the band released some incendiary stuff in their time together.
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They even occasionally made a foray into the pop charts, as was the case with their 1965 worldwide breakthrough single “For Your Love.” As it turned out, the song that catapulted them to stardom also caused the departure of one of those lead guitarists.
Yardbirds Flying High
While the pop-oriented music of The Beatles and others like them dominated the charts, heavier, blues-based rock and roll also found a solid footing in the early stages of the British Invasion. When The Yardbirds formed, they very quickly stepped to the forefront of those blues rockers.
Their original lead guitarist, Top Topham, left the band in 1963, not that long after their formation. He was replaced by an 18-year-old wunderkind named Eric Clapton. With Clapton’s fluid leads setting the tone, The Yardbirds made their name as one of the premier live acts in and around London.
Their thrilling 1964 album Five Live Yardbirds thrilled blues aficionados with the intensity and virtuosity of their playing. But hit singles were never far from the minds of any band, not even purists like this group. The problem was no one in the band had much songwriting experience, which is where Graham Gouldman entered the picture.
“Love” Potion
Gouldman realized early on in his career that songwriting could be a method of getting to the top of the rock world without having to battle past established bands. He was only 18 years old when he penned his first few songs, one of which was “For Your Love.”
The young musician actually wanted to pitch the song to The Beatles, who with John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the fold really didn’t need any help. The Yardbirds were in the market for songs, however, and they claimed “For Your Love” to record as a potential hit single.
That’s just what it turned out to be. Featuring a distinctive harpsichord part from guest player Brian Auger, the song topped the British charts and went to No. 6 in the U.S. But it didn’t thrill everybody. Eric Clapton didn’t like that the band were messing about with pop-oriented songs, and he left soon after the single’s release.
What is “For Your Love” About?
“For Your Love” sounds very much like a first songwriting effort in that the lyrics fall back on some cliches here and there: I bring you diamond rings and things right to your door. Still, give credit to Gouldman for using more minor keys than was typical for the pop songs of the day. That, combined with singer Keith Reif’s frantic delivery, adds some edge to “For Your Love.”
The one-track mindset of the song is its best aspect. Nothing enters the narrator’s headspace besides what he’d do to win over this girl. For your love, for your love / I would give the stars above, he promises. In fact, he goes beyond what he’s physically capable of delivering: I’d give the moon if it were mine to give / I’d give the stars and the sun, for I live.
Graham Gouldman used “For Your Love” as a springboard to becoming one of the most in-demand pop songwriters in ‘60s England, before eventually becoming a stalwart member of 10cc. As for The Yardbirds, they dusted themselves off after losing Clapton, as two pretty decent guitar players named Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page would eventually fill the gap he left behind.
Photo by Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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