Early Days
Paul McCartney Lyrics


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They can't take it from me, if they try
I lived through those early days
So many times I had to change the pain to laughter
Just to keep from getting crazed

Dressed in black from head to toe
Two guitars across our backs
We would walk the city roads
Seeking someone who would listen to the music
That we were writing down at home

But they can't take it from me, if they try
I lived through those early days
So many times I had to change the pain to laughter
Just to keep from getting crazy

Hair slicked back with Vaseline
Like the pictures on the wall
Of the local record shop
Hearing noises we were destined to remember
We willed the thrill to never stop

May sweet memories of friends from the past
Always come to you, when you look for them
And your inspiration, long may it last
May it comes to you time and time again

Now everybody seems to have their own opinion
Who did this and who did that
But as for me I don't see how they can remember
When they weren't where it was at

And they can't take it from me, if they try
I lived through those early days
So many times I had to change the pain to laughter
Just to keep from getting crazy





I lived through those early days
I lived through those early days

Overall Meaning

In the song Early Days, Paul McCartney reflects on the early days of his career as a musician in Liverpool with John Lennon before they became famous as part of The Beatles. The first stanza talks about how the memories of those days are his and can't be taken away from him. He had to change the pain to laughter many times to keep from getting crazy. The second stanza describes the look they had - dressed in black with slicked-back hair - and the places they would go to perform their music. They were seeking someone who would listen to the music that they had written at home. The third stanza talks about sweet memories of friends from the past and the inspiration that they give. McCartney reflects on how everybody seems to have their own opinions about what happened during those early days, but he knows what really happened because he lived through them.


The song is a nostalgic reflection on the early days of McCartney's career, which was a significant time for him and his band. It's a reminder of the struggles he faced as a young musician and how he overcame them, and also a sign of respect for the people he knew and the memories he made.


Line by Line Meaning

They can't take it from me, if they try
No matter how hard they try, they cannot take away my memories of the early days of my music career.


I lived through those early days
I have experienced the tumultuous early days of my music career first hand.


So many times I had to change the pain to laughter
I had to mask the pain of rejection and failure with laughter in order to stay sane and keep going.


Just to keep from getting crazed
In order to avoid going crazy due to the stress and uncertainty of those early days.


Dressed in black from head to toe
I used to dress completely in black during those early days of my music career.


Two guitars across our backs
My friend and I would carry two guitars each as we walked around the city streets in search of someone to listen to our music.


We would walk the city roads
We would take long walks through the city streets as a way to clear our minds and come up with new ideas for our music.


Seeking someone who would listen to the music
We were constantly searching for people who were willing to listen to our music, and give us feedback.


That we were writing down at home
The music we played had all been written by us at home, in our own time and space.


Hair slicked back with Vaseline
During those early days of my music career I used to slick my hair back with Vaseline, emulating pictures of other musicians in local record shops.


Like the pictures on the wall
I was inspired by pictures of musicians on the walls of local record shops and tried to imitate their style, look, and sounds.


Hearing noises we were destined to remember
We would hear sounds that we knew would stay with us forever and shape our own music in the future.


We willed the thrill to never stop
We were so passionate and determined to keep the thrills of the early days going, to never lose our spark or excitement for music.


May sweet memories of friends from the past
I hope that the memories of my friends from the early days of my music career will always remain special and memorable.


Always come to you, when you look for them
I hope that those memories remain fresh in my mind, and can be easily recalled whenever I seek them out.


And your inspiration, long may it last
I hope that the inspiration I felt during those early days of my music career will continue to stay with me for a long time.


May it comes to you time and time again
I hope that I can continue to rediscover that inspiration time and time again, always finding new ways to create and innovate.


Now everybody seems to have their own opinion
Everyone has their own opinion of the past, including the early days of my music career.


Who did this and who did that
People are constantly discussing and debating who played what role in the formation of my career and music.


But as for me I don't see how they can remember
I cannot understand how others can claim to remember events and details that they were not present for or directly involved in.


When they weren't where it was at
Since they were not present, their accounts and opinions may not accurately represent what actually happened in those early days.


I lived through those early days
I experienced the highs and lows, the struggles and triumphs, of those early days of my music career.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MediaWest

50 years later, we in the music industry and the recording studio pros here in LA, are still chasing this guy.

@a1974h

Nice post

@peaceandlove544

Media/West Productions what do you mean?

@alzimaryramos7897

🤗🤗

@marrynblackwell247

One of the best songs ever! Such a beautiful song about the friendship and love between Paul and John. Paul has written a genius tribute to his lost friend.

@IvanBoden

What a lovely song! Paul is a treasure and we are so fortunate he continues to write and perform. I love it.

@DrSLyriqueChaalisWatson

Incredabl

@DrSLyriqueChaalisWatson

S'il vous plaît....more

@davedesmond1713

Paul's insight on what he shares with us...Beatle Fans... is truly wonderful. He shows where and who helped to inspire John and him. Thanks. 

@prof2yousmithe444

Every time I hear this, I cannot help to think about Paul and John meeting and the struggles they faced. They persevered and as a result, we were all blessed by their music, then and now! This is just a glimpse as I believe Sir Paul's best days are yet to come!

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