Paul McCartney - Here Today (Music Video)

"Here Today" is a song by Paul McCartney from his 1982 album Tug of War. McCartney wrote the song about his relationship with and love for John Lennon, who had been murdered two years prior. He stated the song was composed in the form of an imaginary conversation the pair might have had. The song was produced by the Beatles' producer George Martin. Although not released as a single, the song reached No. 46 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.

When McCartney wrote the song, Lennon had not yet been dead for a year. In a 2004 interview with The Guardian, McCartney said that due to the honest and emotional nature of the song he was "kind of crying" when he wrote it. He even found it difficult to talk about with the other remaining members of the Beatles. The structure of the song itself is written like a dialogue between Lennon and McCartney. McCartney says that Lennon used to "lay into" McCartney, but often did not really mean it, and this is emulated in the hypothetical conversation where the two bicker over whether or not they really know each other. The song is about McCartney really trying to talk to Lennon, but finding it futile after the latter's death.

McCartney describes parts of the song as being quite honest. One verse in the song refers to an incident that occurred during the Beatles' first full American tour in 1964 when they were stranded in Key West, Florida during a hurricane. Said McCartney,

"It was during that night, when we'd all stayed up way too late, and we got so pissed that we ended up crying—about, you know, how wonderful we were, and how much we loved each other, even though we'd never said anything. It was a good one: you never say anything like that. Especially if you're a Northern Man."

McCartney began recording the song in the summer of 1981 in the loft of the mill at his Sussex home. McCartney and George Martin went back and forth about using a string quartet as they had famously included one in the Beatles' hit "Yesterday", but ultimately opted for it anyway.

[daninusa]

Paul got roasted in the press when Lennon died since he didn't say anything profound. This song said it all a year or so later and shut the idiots up.. timeless.

[indiesongwriter]

There's something clever tragic ironic and beautiful about the line "you'd probably laugh and say that we were worlds apart" because he knew John well enough to know that his pride would have led him to saying Paul DOESN'T know him well.

[markzappasodi]

One of Paul's most beautiful songs. The story behind the song makes it extremely personal. ❤️😢

[ezranixon]

Paul is such an exceptional song writer.

[rozzie]

there is a concert he did, that got played on TV, I think it was the early 2000's. He played this song, and got choked up playing it live. It was the 1st time I had heard this song. What a touching song....

[JStarStar]

George Martin producing with some very "Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields"-ish strings.

A gift to both his "sons."

[Karl_Adap]

"And if I said I really loved you..."

I'm about to cry :(

[LindaMethod]

I can just see John Lennon hearing this song and being deeply moved by it. It's so real.

[rachelthompson]

This is such a beautiful and touching song. It really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes when Paul said that he loved him. Rip John Lennon. You were taken away too soon.

[Actors]

First time I heard this song was live at his concert. And after he sang “I love you” he added on stage “my best friend”. And I started to lose it. Very sad.

[azloii]

Paul didn't hesitate a second on this song to break our hearts

[zapdunga]

In his tribute song to John, 'Here Today'
Paul says, "What about the time we met, well I suppose that you could say that we were playing hard to get" This refers to the fact John didn't ask Paul to join the group right away. He was a bit intimidated by how good Paul was. And after all, John was the leader and the star and singer up to that point. So he waited a while and told his friend Pete Shotten and Ivan Vaughn to ask Paul to join. This was typical John. This way HE didn't have to do it face to face to avoid embarrassment if Paul said no. Paul played hard to get because when asked by Pete to join he told him he'd like to think on it for a bit. Both were playing hard to get even though Paul really wanted to join right away and John really wanted him right away, they both made each other wait.
Another line in Paul's tribute song 'Here Today" to John, was "Remember the night we cried because there wasn't any reason left to keep it all inside". This was when they were both in a hotel room in a rain storm and got drunk and started telling each other how much they love each other. This never happened before. John got very drunk and started crying and so did Paul. It was the fact John and Paul were thinking about their mother's that had died very young in their lives. That was the bond between them. And that night they both let the pain out in tears. Very very unlike John and Paul to show that much emotion.

[RandyR]

Still makes me cry. Losing John is really beyond description

[suzannetrenchard]

The pain in Paul's voice is heartbreaking singing his tribute to his best friend who was taken far too soon.
Music will never die. ❤❤

[andrisaid]

The way how Paul said “i love you John”

[brianedwards]

Written and sang by a genius! The only person who was on same level as the man he wrote this for! ❤️❤️❤️

[DiegoRodriguez-dwpv]

1:53 when Paul reveals his feelings, while showing Lennon's intense stare, as if he were watching over him while also being touched by his words, beautiful editing. "Glad you came along" as if, thanks for being part of that wonderful journey we were part of. "For you were in my song" as if, you may no longer be with us in the physical sense, but you are inmortal in this song. Such a great tribute.

[mileswalcott]

I get choked up when I hear Paul McCartney singing this song

[Mandrake]

Amazing song. Beautiful and heartfelt without being saccharine. George Martin’s string arrangements are perfect on Paul’s songs.

[jromero.]

And if I said
I really knew you well
What would your answer be
If you were here today?

Oh, here today

Well, knowing you
You'd probably laugh and say that we were worlds apart
If you were here today


But as for me
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more

Oh
I love you, oh

What about the time we met? (What about the time we met?)
Well, I suppose that you could say that we were playing hard to get
Didn't understand a thing
But we could always sing

What about the night we cried? (What about the night we cried?)
Because there wasn't any reason left to keep it all inside
Never understood a word
But you were always there with a smile

And if I say
I really loved you and was glad you came along
Then you were here today, oh
For you were in my song

Oh, here today