Album: New (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track and lead single from Sir Paul McCartney's 16th studio album is a horn-driven Pop song that was produced by Mark Ronson. The producer-DJ is known for his work with a host of luminaries, including Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, and the late Amy Winehouse.

    Ronson emulates Beatle producer George Martin's style with a short reprise at the end of this tune. The song was given its first airing by Zoe Ball on August 29, 2013 during her on BBC Radio 2 show.
  • Sir Paul told BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt about the song: "It's catchy, it's summery, it's a love song. I think people will recognize it as definitely me."

    He added: "It's a love song but it's saying don't look at me I haven't got any answers. It says I don't know what's happening, I don't know how it's all happening, but it's good and I love you."
  • Ronson first started working with McCartney after DJing his wedding to Nancy Shevell. Later, he got a call from the former Beatle to come down to the studio and the pair started messing around with ideas. Ronson told MTV News the first time he heard this track, he was sold. "It was just such an instant classic," he said. "I said, 'I would love to work on that song with you,' and that's how it started. It was a masterclass in learning how to put together a f--king incredible song - just watching his mind work."
  • McCartney told The Sun how the song was created: "It is the kind of thing that I could have done with The Beatles," he said. "There was always one way to do that song. It's very piano based, one of those things that if I play it with just me, piano and voice, it will sound very close to a finished record."

    "It's all in the piano part," McCartney added. "All the notes are in there. I wrote it late one night at my dad's piano and I had this little idea to get it down immediately on a little cassette machine with a Dictaphone. I thought, 'This is good, this will work.' It was just very quick inspiration."
  • When asked during a Twitter Q&A why he titled the album 'New,' McCartney replied: "I was playing around with more poetic titles but New was a simple word and the name of a song on the album."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?