‘It’s For You’ was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for Cilla Black, who released it as a single in July 1964.
Black’s debut hit was ‘Love Of The Loved’, another Lennon-McCartney composition. Although it sold modestly, her second single, a version of Bacharach-David’s ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ topped the UK singles chart in February 1964.
McCartney had been at EMI Studios when Black recorded her version, and promised to write her another song. He was the primary composer of ‘It’s For You’, which was completed with Lennon.
I wrote it for Cilla. That’s not a bad little song. I remember when we first went over to America, plugging it to all these DJs, we used to talk to endlessly, ‘Look, there’s this girl singer in our stable and you should listen out for this song.’ It didn’t do very well. I ended up writing a few songs for Cilla, actually.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
McCartney recorded a demo of ‘It’s For You’, for Black to use as a reference. The 7″ vinyl disc was discovered among her possessions following her death in 2015, after it was taken with other items to be valued at The Beatles Shop in Liverpool. It was sold at auction in August 2016.
In the studio
Black recorded ‘It’s For You’ on 2 July 1964 at Abbey Road. The song was produced by George Martin.
McCartney played piano on the recording, and both he and Lennon suggested ideas for the arrangement – not all of which were welcomed by the singer.
Paul was at the recording session when I made ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’. He said that he liked the composition and he and John would try to produce something similar. Well they came up with this new number, but for my money it’s nothing like the ‘Anyone’ composition. That was some session we had when I made the new recording. John and Paul joined me, and George Martin. We made one track and then everyone had a go at suggesting how they thought it should be recorded. And everyone had different ideas. George said it should be one way, Paul and John another and I just added my suggestions while they were thinking of what else they could do with the composition.
‘It’s For You’ was Cilla Black’s fourth UK single. Despite the Lennon-McCartney connection, it did not repeat the success of her previous number ones ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ and ‘You’re My World’, although it entered the top 10 for two weeks.
Lyrics
I’d say some day
I’m bound to give my heart away
When I do
It’s for 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
Never should 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
Then I look at 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