Pop Rock
The song was written by English singer, songwriter, and musician Graham Gouldman. (He wrote hits for The Yardbirds, The Hollies, and Herman’s Hermits, just to name a few. Gouldman also became a long-time member of the band 10cc.) In 1965, “For Your Love” went to #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the U.K. Singles Chart, and #1 in Canada.
The Yardbirds formed in London, England, in 1963, and they first worked as a backup band for Cyril Davies. Their big break came when they took over from the Rolling Stones at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond and played a set of American blues classics. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, who are among rock and roll’s finest guitarists, began their careers with The Yardbirds. Members changed over the years, but for “For Your Love,” they were Eric Clapton, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, and Paul Samwell-Smith. The name Yardbirds referred to hobos who hung around the rail yards and was also a reference to Charlie “Yardbird” or “Bird” Parker.
Clapton was not happy with the song and their departure from blues, so he left the group in 1965 to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. (Over the years, he went on to form Cream and Blind Faith before pursuing a solo career.) Anyway, The Yardbirds replaced him with Jeff Beck.
