According to Songfacts, McCartney told The Times that in Here Today , "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 โ 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."
Here Today
Paul McCartney Lyrics
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What would your answer be?
If you were here today
Ooo ooo ooo, here today
Well, knowing you
You'd probably laugh and say
That we were worlds apart
Ooo ooo ooo, here today
But as for me,
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more
Ooo ooo ooo, I love you, ooo
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?
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
And you were here today
Ooo ooo ooo, for you were in my song
Ooo ooo ooo, here today
In Paul McCartney's song Here Today, he reflects on his friendship with John Lennon and expresses the feelings he would have if Lennon were still alive today. The melancholic yet hopeful tone of the song represents a deep reflection on the past, with McCartney asking what Lennon's response would be if he said they knew each other well, and imagining that Lennon may have thought they were worlds apart. He goes on to reminisce about the times they shared together, including the night they cried together and the time they met and played hard to get. He then confesses his love for Lennon and how glad he was that he came along and inspired so much of McCartney's music.
The lyrics of Here Today were written as a tribute to John Lennon, after he was assassinated in 1980. Lennon and McCartney's friendship and songwriting partnership is widely regarded as one of the most significant moments in music history, and the song is a touching tribute to that bond. McCartney's lyrics do not shy away from vulnerability and reflect on how much Lennon meant to him, both as a friend and as a creative collaborator. The song captures the essence of a deep and meaningful friendship that has remained with McCartney throughout his life.
Line by Line Meaning
And if I say I really knew you well
I want to express the depth of our relationship
What would your answer be?
I am curious to know if you share the same view
If you were here today
I miss you terribly
Ooo ooo ooo, here today
I wish you were here
Well, knowing you
I have an idea of what your response would be
You'd probably laugh and say
You would find humor in our perceptions of our relationship
That we were worlds apart
We had different experiences and missed certain aspects of each other
But as for me,
As for my part,
I still remember how it was before
I remember our past fondly
And I am holding back the tears no more
I can't help but cry when I think of you
Ooo ooo ooo, I love you, ooo
I have deep feelings for you
What about the time we met?
Do you remember when we first met?
Well, I suppose that you could say
It wasn't the most straightforward beginning
That we were playing hard to get
We were both trying to maintain our cool
Didn't understand a thing
We were too nervous to make sense of the situation
But we could always sing
Music was our shared passion
What about the night we cried?
Do you remember when we cried together?
Because there wasn't any reason
We were overwhelmed with emotion for no clear reason
Left to keep it all inside
We had no outlet or way to express ourselves
Never understood a word
We were lost, but at least we had each other
But you were always there with a smile
You were the one who could always make me feel better
And if I say I really loved you
I want to confess my true feelings
And was glad you came along
You brought joy to my life
And you were here today
I wish I could see you one more time
Ooo ooo ooo, for you were in my song
You will always have a special place in my heart and in my music
Ooo ooo ooo, here today
I miss you so much
Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Romero
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
Mark Zappasodi
One of Paul's most beautiful songs. The story behind the song makes it extremely personal. โค๏ธ๐ข
Jerry ื'ืจื ืืกืจืื
@Squinky Gordon I have tried to play this song at my three best childhood friends/bandmates and their funerals. But sadly the grief was too overwhelming losing them so young. I just couldn't! RIP Chris/Marcus and Carl! This song is for you guys as well as for John.
Squinky Gordon
It's beautiful and arguably the most "Beatlelesque" of his solo efforts. It could almost fit on Revolver.
Linda Method
I can just see John Lennon hearing this song and being deeply moved by it. It's so real.
Russell Schwartz
@Sparkle Bat thatโs absolutely, judging by this song, how John would respond. John then would get drunk and pull Paul aside and let him know he appreciated the message.
Rabbit
Nah, he'd have told him it was just another silly love song.
James Dunn
@Sparkle Bat Maybe, or maybe not.
Sparkle Bat
I can also see John teasing Paul about being so sappy! It's just the type of relationship they had. Yes, he would be deeply moved but he would never let Paul know that.
rozzie101
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....
Terri Bennett
Yes. He played it during his drive across America tour. We went to see him twice. He also sang a tribute to George.