Paul McCartney Exclusive: New Song Criticizes Those Who Try to Rewrite His Past

Paul McCartney has an excellent new album hitting stores and downloading systems on Tuesday. “New” is a lame title for a solidly constructed album produced by Giles Martin (son of George), Ethan Johns (son of Glyn) and Mark Ronson (stepson of Mick Jones). The album hasn’t been written about much because review copies really just arrived at the end of last week.

There are lots of good songs on “New” including a very catchy potential single called “Looking to Her.” But the song that jumps out the most is called “Early Days.” In it, McCartney seems actually angry that journalists and other experts are trying to rewrite his Beatles history.

He sings:

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

Maybe at 71 years old, McCartney is going to write a memoir–something he needs to do. Much has been written about him but there’s a lot to set straight about his collaborations with John Lennon, and his tussles with Yoko Ono. If McCartney were honest in a book, it would cause a sensation. Certainly in this song for once we get an idea of his feelings about reading all kinds of stuff about the Beatles propagated by friends and enemies.

I hope I’ll have some audio clips soon from “New.” But like Elton John’s new “Diving Board,” McCartney’s new recording presents a veteran star at the top of his game. McCartney still rocks like no one else even half his age.

WATCH PAUL MCCARTNEY’S JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW CONCERT IN OUR HOME PAGE VIDEO VIEWER

Early Days

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 come 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 crazed

I lived through those early days

I lived through those early days