Paul McCartney / Carl Perkins - My Old Friend

[semiserioussam]

Ok everyone together now. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Seriously though, a very moving track.

[macman894]

mccartneys my fave but give mister carl some credit

[luky673]

poor paul gorge and ringo the losed jhon to early but gorge dosen,t care becose he is whit him now :( n i love this song <33333

[observer9670]

There are two versions of the last face to face meeting between John and Paul. One was in early 1980 when Paul and Linda stopped in NYC on their way to Japan. The other was in 1977 when they almost paid a surprise visit to SNL. But Paul said they did talk on the phone a few times every year.

[pianoman423]

what album is this from?

[DoncasterLad1982]

@pianoman423 ive researched a little and can see its available on a carl perkins album called "Go Cat Go"

[pianoman423]

@pianoman423 thank you! I wish it was on itunes :(

[byemynameishi]

can't

stop

crying

the story behind this is so sad.

this is the first time i listened to this and oh

just tears everywhere

[debjepsen]

I also heard Carl Perkins tell the story, and it is true that Paul did visit John shortly before his death. It is in various publications.

[kingdomheartsfangrl6]

haha, I'm such a weirdo. I listened this song and read the comment about Paulie crying and all and started crying myself > 3 > I heard my family coming and ran to the bathroom to wash my face. If they ask me why my eyes are red, I'll say soap got into my eyes *bawls*

[semiserioussam]

@kingdomheartsfangrl6 I swear it's like our families know when we're preoccupied and like showing up bang in the middle.

[tomahawklapache]

Thank you for this poignant story. the history of rock n roll is tragic. John and Paul. Gene and Eddie, Carl and Johnny. duets magical friends has tragic history

[markrink]

love you dad rest in peace

[bz4kh]

(1) "In early 1981, the phone rang in the home of Carl and Val Perkins and Val answered it. In a few seconds, she handed the phone to Carl saying, "He says he's Paul McCartney."

Carl had met the Beatles back in 1964 but they were not in contact with each other. Heck, Val was not even sure it was really Paul. In early 1981, people all over the world were morning the loss of John Lennon who had passed away only a few months before. Did this call have something to do with that?

[bz4kh]

(2) "Carl greeted Paul with his country twang, "Whacha doin', boy?"

Paul said, "I'm hanging out at my house. What are you doing?" And then without really waiting for Carl to reply, Paul continued. "Say, I'm down here in the West Indies recording my next album, Tug of War, and I have a song, "Get It," that's perfect for us. I want you to sing with me and play guitar on it. Can you come here and record?"

Carl explained, "Well, it'd help if I knew where it was."

[bz4kh]

(4) After a minute or so, Carl was singing, "My old friend, won't you think about me every now and then" and Paul was starting to cry. Then the tears were really flowing to the point where Paul felt the need to leave the room.

Carl stopped playing and said to Linda, "I'm sorry, darlin', I didn't mean to upset him."

[bz4kh]

(5) Linda went on to explain why Paul was so deeply touched. She and Paul had visited John and Yoko just days before he was shot. The visit was still a very fresh memory. Paul and John had had very little contact after the Beatles broke up ten years earlier. Over those years, especially in the beginning, there was a fair amount of bitterness between them. But now that had changed and Paul and John had again made a very solid connection in a deep and mature way.

[bz4kh]

(6) As Paul and Linda were standing in the doorway getting ready to leave, John said to Paul, "Won't you think about me every now and then, my old friend?" It was one of the last things that John said to Paul.

[juskym]

@bz4kh Oh wow, I love this! What is the source you're quoting from, please?

[rachcc4]

@bz4kh I don't think John visited Paul a few days before his death. I don't think that part is true but it is true that John said that to Paul at some point.

[prefect20]

As rachcc4 says, Carl was invited to visit Paul, record with, and holiday with Paul, while Paul recorded an album.

Carl recalls 'writing the words in his head' whilst on the plane.

Carl's son tells of meeting George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and being honoured to be in their company, to which George replied. "but you're Carl Perkins' son." and "even The Beatles have heroes"

[Northernspotter101]

The picture of ringo at 2.18 makes me smile he looks likes hes been caught with his hands in the till.A beautifull song !!

[andreacochetti]

Could you please point out for me if this song has been writen by Paul or by Carl. Thanks

[TrojanxInfection]

It was written by carl, but he didnt literally write it on paper. He came up with the lyrics and sang it out.

[javierahumada]

Though i find it just a little corny this song makes me think of my old friends. Great selection of pics, thanks for sharing.

[rachcc4]

You're right. This was written when Carl visited Paul in Montserrat when they were recording a couple of songs together for "Tug of War". It was 1981. The night before Carl left, he wrote this song about their friendship. When Paul heard it, there were tears in his eyes and he had to get up and leave. Linda explained that the last time Paul talked to John, he had said the same line that was in the song to Paul, "think of me every now and then, my old friend."

[DoncasterLad1982]

thanks for the info ,will help to put alot more minds at rest i think.

[TheHeartbeatsBand]

Don't know how I missed this very moving song but its the first time I ever heard it. Thank you for posting it!

[syleriam]

@rachcc4 Hi, i wonder if this is right? I mean Where you read about this? I'm a Beatle fan and i know the story about the white feather (the way that John use for comunicate with his son so i know about this stories) for an example is a lovely story like this one but hurts to think that maybe this is a fabrication for lonely hearts cause we miss John so much and George as well, but my point here is about John.

[rachcc4]

@syleriam Oh, it's right. I didn't read it. I heard Carl Perkins tell it and his voice was trembling with emotion. Very true.

[DoncasterLad1982]

b4 anyone states ,i didnt realise the pics kept coming after the song had finished,was a rough job throwing it all together so thats my excuse, cheers.