You have know idea the emotional impact this had in 1982 when we were all still feeling so raw about the loss of Lennon. This was the song to help us all begin to heal, and we needed it from Paul. And he delivered perfectly. He has played it live as his tribute to John- and everyone cries.
I bought this album the day it was released. We were so excited to hear what Paul had to say after John’s murder. The fact that George Martin was producing it, made it all the more exciting. For those of us who were so sad about John’s passing this album was like a gift. The first time I heard this song I wept. I knew immediately it was written about John. When Paul sings “I love you“ all of us learned so much in a single moment.
Yes. It was definitely written about John. He's talked about the "night we cried" when they were both talking together about the deaths of their mothers. Also "the time we met", they were both trying to be cool and didn't want to let the other one know that they were really impressed with their talents.
Yep, it was his tribute, to John. I remember when it was released. George also did a tribute song, "All Those Years Ago" which he released the year before in 1981
There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING McCartney shouldn't have released! Even the stuff someone may not like is something someone else absolutely loves! One man's trash is another man's treasure! As for Here Today it's one of his most heartfelt songs and a tribute to John Lennon! Absolutely masterful! Yes, he has done it live, many times!
George Martin once said that Lennon was the most creative person he'd met, and McCartney was the most musical person he'd met. The Lennon/McCartney songwriting team worked well even after they stopped jointly writing songs from scratch because each could help the other select and enhance their best ideas.
He has done this live in his acoustic set on every tour since 2002, as his trubute to John, along with his amazing version of "Something" on the ukulele, as his tribute to George.
yes it’s 100% about lennon! paul has talked about it quite a lot. when i saw him play it live he said “it’s in the form of a letter that i never got to send” i have it on video! such a beautifully touching song! it brings a tear to my eye every time i hear it
I have 2 of those. One's a lefty and one's the righty I've been playing Yesterday on for years. Not a 65 but its a really great guitar. Especially for how cheap it is. Oh actually, that's the guitar I'm playing in the "Eleanor Rigby" video we did here. I might have to learn Here Today on it.
What led to this song being written and recorded, was a night he and Linda had with Carl Perkins and his wife, where it led to Paul finally able to cry and grieve for John.
@@PaulinaAngel There's a video on RUclips of Carl Perkins relaying how Linda told Carl the reason Paul started crying when he played him My Old Friend was because that phrase was the last thing John said to Paul the final time they spoke. Pretty emotional, at least to me.
This song was most certainly about losing John. The album publicity at the time was focused on this song because it was touted as a tribute to John. I remember it well. In the new book from Paul, "The Lyrics", Paul explains the line, "What about the night we cried". On their first big US tour they had to lie low in a motel room in Key West because of a hurricane. They got very drunk and cried about how much they loved each other. Because of the history of this song, I could never see anyone doing a cover of it. Except maybe after forty years, and no one remembers the original meaning.
The orchestration and that beautiful cello just makes this masterpiece even more remarkable. I'll have to stop my habit of commenting before the end of the video as believe it or not the commnetators used the same words 'cello' and 'remarkable'. That is pretty amazing that we think so similarly that we use the same terminology unintentionally. I loved the conversation fellows. Your site is very enjoyable and perceptive. The latter often is a rare thing on RUclips. Rock on guys.
Probably should start right now... on that getting all pretty thing - for your upcoming show. ; ) Paul put all his heart and soul into this song... for John. He has performed the song live a LOT. It is almost always in his set. It was those brown Ford Bronco 2s... that brought you two together. "Life is beautiful." You guys have known each other for a quarter of a century...? How is that possible..? You don't look a day over 25. ; )
That's what doing music for a living gets you buddy!! Haha. When you follow your passion in life it tells your body you have a purpose for being here so it doesn't age as fast. This is totally scientific truth. Trust me!! haha. Also, thank you. We are well over 25.
Priceless track. This album is just packed with brilliant music, it's a ridiculous level of quality that would define anyone else's career, but somehow if it's McCartney it can just never be enough - until maybe God Almighty himself reaches down from heaven and says 'OK, that'll do it, you've finally paid off whatever crippling debt fate saddled you with for having the temerity to be a Beatle.'
Hey CPO, you definitely might have heard a live version of this song before, because it's one of the highlights of the Back In The US album, the very live album that got you into McCartney's live performances 🙂 Actually, Paul performed Here Today live for the first time ever on that 2002 tours of America. He has never ceased to play it live since then, now it's a staple of his stage shows
yes!! you're right. It's totally on back in The US. That's where I've heard it! He must've played it at the show I was at in 2017 too. Looooove this tune.
Since this song has been such a longstanding feature of his recent live shows, I'm surprised you sound like you didn't already know that it was a tribute to John. When he does it live it's just him with the guitar usually, so even if you were familiar with it, this more lush version would be new to you. He does it in his acoustic set with images of John etc. Although the album came out in 1982, he'd started work on it just before John died. He was coming out of AIR studios London when he made his ill-fated "It's a drag" comment. He resumed work on the album in Feb 1981 in AIR studios Montserrat (since destroyed by hurricane and volcano). That's where most of the basic tracks were laid down and where the guest performers were recorded. Then they went back to London and worked on the rest of this album and what would become Pipes of Peace as well. You may hear some sonic links when you listen to it.
He's said outright it's about Lennon, but even if he hadn't, "I was glad you came along" seems an odd thing to say to one's mother since she was by definition there at the beginning. 😀
Yes this song is about John Lennon Paul McCartney has said that the song is about John Lennon interviews and when Paul sings this song live there are John Lennon photos
But that track doesn't resemble anything near The Beatles spirit at all. And, what's worse, it originally came from a negative move to write an angry answer to Lennon. And when John was murdered, Harrison just changed the lyrics and put out that as a tribute to his fallen friend.
@@Zholobov1 Don't know why Harrison would want his song to resemble The Beatles. I was just commenting that Paul, Linda and Ringo all contributed to it. That's it. (And Denny I just read.)
Much of the early Wings' songs were kids' songs, because he had a house full of kids. And as someone else here said, fans can't agree on what is good and what is not. And John let Paul get away with a lot of stuff he didn't like.
I am wondering surely you guys have heard these songs/albums before? Is this like a refresher course with commentary? It certainly is entertaining. From naturally ugly .
I respect this song, which I think of as a child of "Yesterday." Yet, something about both of those songs' formality and polish prevents me from connecting with them emotionally.
Building on what you discussed about some questionable songs, the 3 albums are considered his low point, (even though 2 no1 songs and a no1 album- in uk). The mid to late 80s production did not suit him. Found his spot again with flowers in the dirt and the continued with a great streak.
The reason McCartney sometimes put out songs he shouldn't is that he had/has no one in his life to tell him when something wasn't up to snuff. With the Beatles, he had John, who wouldn't hold back. But after the Beatles, the only person he would listen to was Linda, and her opinion about music was worthless. That's why he not only put out some bad songs once in a while, but also made some ridiculously bad career moves (breaking up Wings, working with Michael Jackson, working with Kanye, etc.). That's the price of getting the big head!
Maybe but you could never say he has a big head. He's is very grounded and a down to earth musician. He's a risk taker and very creative. Some of his output is just experimental and just too way out. Most very creative people their out put is just so varied but there are definite gems in amongst the "rubbish."
@@skulbowd4312 there's no question that he's the greatest songwriter in history, but he absolutely has a big head. In concert, he acts like it would kill him to take a bow. The only reason he's still touring is that he can't live without constant adoration.
@@knuckledragger9322Quite possibly but you ask any performer and they will tell you about the adrenaline rush when performing and maybe there is an adoration fix they get too. I think that "worship" they get must be very hard to walk away from. I really think he needs to retire from singing publicly now. I didn't go to see him last year because I know his voice has gone and I don't want that to spoil my admiration and respect for him I've developed over the years. But I know friends who did see him and they considered it a " a best ever " experience.
Commercially, working with Michael Jackson was brilliant. Even today, some more R&B- or pop-oriented listeners get introduced to McCartney through those McCartney/Jackson songs.
You have know idea the emotional impact this had in 1982 when we were all still feeling so raw about the loss of Lennon. This was the song to help us all begin to heal, and we needed it from Paul. And he delivered perfectly. He has played it live as his tribute to John- and everyone cries.
I bought this album the day it was released. We were so excited to hear what Paul had to say after John’s murder. The fact that George Martin was producing it, made it all the more exciting. For those of us who were so sad about John’s passing this album was like a gift. The first time I heard this song I wept. I knew immediately it was written about John. When Paul sings “I love you“ all of us learned so much in a single moment.
Yes. It was definitely written about John. He's talked about the "night we cried" when they were both talking together about the deaths of their mothers. Also "the time we met", they were both trying to be cool and didn't want to let the other one know that they were really impressed with their talents.
Yep, it was his tribute, to John. I remember when it was released. George also did a tribute song, "All Those Years Ago" which he released the year before in 1981
There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING McCartney shouldn't have released!
Even the stuff someone may not like is something someone else absolutely loves! One man's trash is another man's treasure!
As for Here Today it's one of his most heartfelt songs and a tribute to John Lennon! Absolutely masterful!
Yes, he has done it live, many times!
This comment wins a gold star ⭐️
A heartfelt tribute to John after his death
One of the finest songs ever written.
George Martin once said that Lennon was the most creative person he'd met, and McCartney was the most musical person he'd met. The Lennon/McCartney songwriting team worked well even after they stopped jointly writing songs from scratch because each could help the other select and enhance their best ideas.
He has done this live in his acoustic set on every tour since 2002, as his trubute to John, along with his amazing version of "Something" on the ukulele, as his tribute to George.
Yup. Got see Paul so both of those. Very touching.
yes it’s 100% about lennon! paul has talked about it quite a lot. when i saw him play it live he said “it’s in the form of a letter that i never got to send” i have it on video! such a beautifully touching song! it brings a tear to my eye every time i hear it
...and I am holding back the tears no more
Funfact: McCartney is playing an Epiphone Texan on this track - actually the same he used on Yesterday in 65.😊
I have 2 of those. One's a lefty and one's the righty I've been playing Yesterday on for years. Not a 65 but its a really great guitar. Especially for how cheap it is. Oh actually, that's the guitar I'm playing in the "Eleanor Rigby" video we did here. I might have to learn Here Today on it.
What led to this song being written and recorded, was a night he and Linda had with Carl Perkins and his wife, where it led to Paul finally able to cry and grieve for John.
The Carl Perkins song, My Old Friend, arising from that is as good as Here Today to my ears.
@@mikeallen8372 and foreshadows a future song as if it was a message from heaven: think of me every ‘Now And Then’.
@@PaulinaAngel There's a video on RUclips of Carl Perkins relaying how Linda told Carl the reason Paul started crying when he played him My Old Friend was because that phrase was the last thing John said to Paul the final time they spoke. Pretty emotional, at least to me.
This song was most certainly about losing John. The album publicity at the time was focused on this song because it was touted as a tribute to John. I remember it well. In the new book from Paul, "The Lyrics", Paul explains the line, "What about the night we cried". On their first big US tour they had to lie low in a motel room in Key West because of a hurricane. They got very drunk and cried about how much they loved each other. Because of the history of this song, I could never see anyone doing a cover of it. Except maybe after forty years, and no one remembers the original meaning.
Sometimes when you hear about the details of where a song comes from it makes it even better doesn't it?
This song really makes me sad, thinking of Paul's pain, and my own pain at the loss of many loved ones in my life. So beautiful!
The orchestration and that beautiful cello just makes this masterpiece even more remarkable. I'll have to stop my habit of commenting before the end of the video as believe it or not the commnetators used the same words 'cello' and 'remarkable'. That is pretty amazing that we think so similarly that we use the same terminology unintentionally. I loved the conversation fellows. Your site is very enjoyable and perceptive. The latter often is a rare thing on RUclips. Rock on guys.
Probably should start right now... on that getting all pretty thing - for your upcoming show. ; )
Paul put all his heart and soul into this song... for John.
He has performed the song live a LOT.
It is almost always in his set.
It was those brown Ford Bronco 2s... that brought you two together.
"Life is beautiful."
You guys have known each other for a quarter of a century...?
How is that possible..? You don't look a day over 25. ; )
That's what doing music for a living gets you buddy!! Haha. When you follow your passion in life it tells your body you have a purpose for being here so it doesn't age as fast. This is totally scientific truth. Trust me!! haha. Also, thank you. We are well over 25.
My love meets she's leaving home great song
Priceless track. This album is just packed with brilliant music, it's a ridiculous level of quality that would define anyone else's career, but somehow if it's McCartney it can just never be enough - until maybe God Almighty himself reaches down from heaven and says 'OK, that'll do it, you've finally paid off whatever crippling debt fate saddled you with for having the temerity to be a Beatle.'
🤣
Hey CPO, you definitely might have heard a live version of this song before, because it's one of the highlights of the Back In The US album, the very live album that got you into McCartney's live performances 🙂
Actually, Paul performed Here Today live for the first time ever on that 2002 tours of America.
He has never ceased to play it live since then, now it's a staple of his stage shows
yes!! you're right. It's totally on back in The US. That's where I've heard it! He must've played it at the show I was at in 2017 too. Looooove this tune.
Beautiful.
absolutely
Since this song has been such a longstanding feature of his recent live shows, I'm surprised you sound like you didn't already know that it was a tribute to John. When he does it live it's just him with the guitar usually, so even if you were familiar with it, this more lush version would be new to you. He does it in his acoustic set with images of John etc.
Although the album came out in 1982, he'd started work on it just before John died. He was coming out of AIR studios London when he made his ill-fated "It's a drag" comment. He resumed work on the album in Feb 1981 in AIR studios Montserrat (since destroyed by hurricane and volcano). That's where most of the basic tracks were laid down and where the guest performers were recorded. Then they went back to London and worked on the rest of this album and what would become Pipes of Peace as well. You may hear some sonic links when you listen to it.
It always makes me cry, Paul's tribute to John after the assessination
so moving
He's said outright it's about Lennon, but even if he hadn't, "I was glad you came along" seems an odd thing to say to one's mother since she was by definition there at the beginning. 😀
...and then there's the lines "I suppose you could say we were playing hard to get"; and "didn't understand a thing, but we could always sing"
yeah Dicki!! haha
Wild! Who befriends people in fast food parking lots? You guys!
Yes this song is about John Lennon Paul McCartney has said that the song is about John Lennon interviews and when Paul sings this song live there are John Lennon photos
CPO wins. Dicki loses! wah wah
Paul and Linda also played on Harrison's tribute to John: "All Those Years Ago" a few months earlier.
But that track doesn't resemble anything near The Beatles spirit at all. And, what's worse, it originally came from a negative move to write an angry answer to Lennon. And when John was murdered, Harrison just changed the lyrics and put out that as a tribute to his fallen friend.
Paul, Linda and Denny
@@Zholobov1 Don't know why Harrison would want his song to resemble The Beatles. I was just commenting that Paul, Linda and Ringo all contributed to it. That's it. (And Denny I just read.)
@@garyarnett1220 I wasn't arguing with you, I just expressed my feelings towards "All Those Years Ago"
Much of the early Wings' songs were kids' songs, because he had a house full of kids. And as someone else here said, fans can't agree on what is good and what is not. And John let Paul get away with a lot of stuff he didn't like.
Umm... Revolution Number Nine ring a bell?
This album is produced by George Martin. The cello’s are similar to Eleanor Rigby. Take It Away has Ringo drumming and George Martin on Piano.
so cool
It is an ode to Lennon. Paul has been very open about this song being about Lennon. How would you guys quandry that or not Know that?
Paul’s Tribute to John Lennon….. a truly beautiful song.
Might be in my top ten
I am wondering surely you guys have heard these songs/albums before? Is this like a refresher course with commentary? It certainly is entertaining. From naturally ugly .
I respect this song, which I think of as a child of "Yesterday." Yet, something about both of those songs' formality and polish prevents me from connecting with them emotionally.
wow that's crazy. The polish actually draws me in. I like that we see it differently. Thank you for your perspective.
Building on what you discussed about some questionable songs, the 3 albums are considered his low point, (even though 2 no1 songs and a no1 album- in uk). The mid to late 80s production did not suit him. Found his spot again with flowers in the dirt and the continued with a great streak.
I would not include this song as questionable. This is a freakin gem
@@maybeimamazedtribute definitely a gem. Speaking about next 3 albums. Keep it up.
The reason McCartney sometimes put out songs he shouldn't is that he had/has no one in his life to tell him when something wasn't up to snuff. With the Beatles, he had John, who wouldn't hold back. But after the Beatles, the only person he would listen to was Linda, and her opinion about music was worthless. That's why he not only put out some bad songs once in a while, but also made some ridiculously bad career moves (breaking up Wings, working with Michael Jackson, working with Kanye, etc.). That's the price of getting the big head!
Maybe but you could never say he has a big head. He's is very grounded and a down to earth musician. He's a risk taker and very creative. Some of his output is just experimental and just too way out. Most very creative people their out put is just so varied but there are definite gems in amongst the "rubbish."
@@skulbowd4312 there's no question that he's the greatest songwriter in history, but he absolutely has a big head. In concert, he acts like it would kill him to take a bow. The only reason he's still touring is that he can't live without constant adoration.
@@knuckledragger9322Quite possibly but you ask any performer and they will tell you about the adrenaline rush when performing and maybe there is an adoration fix they get too. I think that "worship" they get must be very hard to walk away from. I really think he needs to retire from singing publicly now. I didn't go to see him last year because I know his voice has gone and I don't want that to spoil my admiration and respect for him I've developed over the years. But I know friends who did see him and they considered it a " a best ever " experience.
Commercially, working with Michael Jackson was brilliant. Even today, some more R&B- or pop-oriented listeners get introduced to McCartney through those McCartney/Jackson songs.