Album: New (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This psychedelic track was one of three songs produced by Adele collaborator Paul Epworth for New. The producer's approach echoed the three experimental, improvised Fireman albums McCartney has made with former member of Killing Joke, Martin "Youth" Glover. McCartney told The Sun the song's back story. "It comes from a story in my mind," he said. "I had this thought, almost like an old black and white movie, about a holocaust kind of thing."

    "To begin with, I didn't have any words. So what I would do in that Fireman/Epworth process, is to block out the words by singing nonsense."

    "And I'd hear myself say," added McCartney, "'The night!' OK, so that's good, I've got a word. Then you gradually block in all the words."
  • The lyrics include one thing that McCartney misheard as he blocked in the words. He recalled: "I got the line," It's just a metaphor' and I thought, 'ooh, that's nice.' That idea of mishearing things or misreading things always excites me."

    "It reminds me of a story about Naked Lunch by William Burroughs," he continued. "I'm not sure if it's true but I'd heard it was actually called Naked Lust and I think someone like (the beat poet) Allen Ginsberg had misread it and went, 'Oh Naked Lunch, wow!' and Burroughs was like, 'OK, that's so much better.' I love happy accidents."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.