Lennon - McCartney: My Old Friend

A video tribute I made for them last year (2007) on July, after 50 years since they met. I added this song, because of a very especial story that I would like to tell you if you’re going to see this: As you know, the friendship between Lennon and McCartney was really damaged when the Beatles broke up, but after almost 10 years, as John Lennon said “(Just Like) Starting Over“, they wanted to have their friendship back. One November day in 1980, Paul and Linda visited John on the Dakota in NY. All the time they were there, John and Paul didn’t stop talking and right before Paul left, they gave a walk through the Dakota’s interior gardens and it was there where John said to Paul “Will you think about me, my old friend?“. A few weeks later, John died. In 1981, Paul and Linda invited Carl to stay with them in Montserrat. Paul wanted Carl’s help recording a song called Get It for his new album, Tug Of War. Carl spent eight days with them, and George and Ringo had been there to help out as well. It was a great time between old friends who had shared such a legendary musical past. The night before he left, a song came to Carl that summed up his warm feelings about the visit, and he couldn’t get it out of his mind. It was so strong that Carl didn’t even write it down, which was strange for him. He usually always wrote his songs down immediately. In the morning, Carl Perkins sang the song, which he named My Old Friend, for Linda and Paul, saying it was his gift for having him as a guest. Half way through the song, after singing “if we never meet again this side of life, in a little while, over yonder, where there’s peace and quiet, my old friend, won’t you think about me every now and then?“ tears streamed down Paul’s face and he stood up and stepped outside. Not knowing what the matter was, Carl stopped and Linda put her arms around him, thanking him for helping Paul to connect with his grief over John Lennon’s death. Carl had no doubt that the song was from John Lennon, as a gift to Paul. Hope you like it! *** Here are the lyrics :) My Old Friend Carl Perkins and Paul McCartney On the Isle of Montserrat Though I never shall forget Just a country boy, a guitar and a song You invited me in And you treated me like king And you’ve given me a reason to go on My old friend, Thanks for inviting me in My old friend, May this goodbye never mean the end If we never meet again this side of life In a little while, over yonder, Where it’s peace and quiet My old friend, Won’t you think about me every now and then If I told you how I feel Oh, it wouldn’t sound so real ’Cause emotions, they are just now settin’ in But it sure is great to know That wherever we may go We can always be the best of friends My old friend, Thanks for inviting me in My old friend, May this goodbye never mean the end And if we never meet again this side of life In a little while, over yonder, Where it’s peace and quiet My old friend, Won’t you think about me every now and then And I’ll think about you, My old friend old friend