Here Today

by

Paul McCartney

Album: Tug Of War      Released: 1982

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McCartney wrote this for John Lennon after his tragic death. He sings of the years they spent together in much detail.

McCartney performed this live on his 2002 release Back In The US. (thanks, gary - charleston, SC, for above 2)

Paul McCartney: "The truth of the matter is when John died it was so weird for everyone and obviously for those of us that were near to him it was doubly, triply weird and then there was the obvious sort of thing is anyone going to write a song about John because obviously certainly we all felt deeply enough and normally when we felt deeply enough we committed it to song. I was wondering if I was going to do it but I thought I'm not going to sit down and try to do it but if anything comes sometime I'll do it. I was one day just sitting quietly in this little room with my guitar and these chords started coming out and I started having these thoughts as if I was talking to myself to John about our relationship and stuff and obviously one of the things that had been funny for me was this idea of when the Beatles broke up we became enemies for a time. But I knew we weren't and I know for a fact he knew we weren't too because independently of each other we'd talked nicely of each other but there was a pride thing of two men very difficult business and all that." (Transcribed from an interview. Thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

McCartney told The London Times December 5, 2009 that in this song, "I'm talking to John in my head. It's a conversation we didn't have." He added that they were reconciled again by the time of the tragedy: "We were mates. God, that was so cool. It was the saving grace. Because it got a bit sticky after the Beatles. No, we were really good mates again — it was lovely, actually. Performing this song, in New York, where he was killed, is a very emotional affair. The last verse, where I sing 'and if I said I really loved you, and was glad you came along,' it's like singing it to your dad who died."

During the Q&A Mojo Magazine Session in November, 2009, McCartney said that this song is his most difficult to perform: "I realise I'm telling this man that I love him, and it's like, 'Oh my god', like I'm publicly declaring it in front of all these people I don't know! It's a good thing to do, though." (thanks, DeeTheWriter - Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation)

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Comments:

Hi I just sat in my car and listened to this song 3 times on the trot. At first I thought paul was singing about Linda. The words along with the beautiful guitar ritfs made me sob.......It was after Blackbird on the Album Live in New York As a 49 year old builder not many songs make me cry (literally) but this one does.
- michael, birmingham, United Kingdom

This song makes my heart ache when i hear it. even some of john's songs make my heart ache. I know i wasn't here during the Beatle era. hell i wasn't even born until 15 years after John had died! and i was only 6 when George died. so ive missed a lot. yeah. anyways, i still love them all!
- Amanda, Gretna, VT

Christy, CA----i'm not ashamed to say i tear up alittle myself when i hear this one. i think it's beautiful!
- Adam, Los Angeles, CA

Let's face it..we ALL miss John. The lyrics in this couldn't be more heartfelt, from a guy who took that incredible journey with him so many years ago.
- Reed, New Ulm, MN

This song is so beautiful and makes me cry!!
- Christy, Palm Springs, CA

I get so depressed when I see old films of the Beatles performing. I am fortunate to have lived in the Beatles era, even if I was a kid. As wierd and scary as those times got, I would give anything to go back there again. Musicians today just don't have the impact the Fab Four had.
- Tom, Marble Falls, AR

When Paul was planning this album with George Martin in the Fall of 1980, he hoped he could convice John to join him on a track, since John was recording again at the time.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

beautiful song. makes you miss lennon but also makes you think of the wonderful magical songs the beatles produced or could have produced.
- bill, arlington heights,il, IL

Generically written for the masses as most songs are. But Paul opens his heart do divulge his true love for John, his dearest friend.
- Steve, NY, NY

I love it! I miss John though
- Ashlee, Jacksonville, FL

This song makes me so sad. Its beautiful, but all i can think of is the idiot that killed John.
- Luna, London, England

Beautiful lyrics and melody!!!
- krist, temperley, Argentina

Hard not to be moved by this song
- Calum, Edinburgh, Scotland

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