"Goodbye" session

As a follow-up to Mary Hopkin’s debut single “Those Were The Days” (released in September 1968) and first album “Post Card” (released in February 1969), Paul McCartney decided to write a new song for her next single. The result was “Goodbye,” which Paul recorded as a demo in February 1969, to help Mary learn the song and to give arranger Richard Hewson a reference for preparing the orchestral score.

The proper recording sessions took place on March 1 and 2, 1969, at Morgan Studios in London.

For the recording, Mary provided lead vocals and acoustic guitar, while Paul contributed bass, acoustic guitar, ukulele, thigh-slapping percussion, and drums. Backing vocals, horns, and strings — arranged by Richard Hewson — were overdubbed.

I didn’t have in mind any more Russian folk songs so I just wrote one for her. I thought it fit the bill. It wasn’t as successful as the first one but it did all right. My main memory of it is from years later, going on a boat trip from the north of Scotland to the Orkney Islands. The skipper of the boat was called George, and he told me it was his favourite song. And if you think of it from a sailor’s point of view, it’s very much a leaving-the-port song. He had the strangest Scottish accent, almost sort of Norwegian, as the Orkneyans do. He was quite proud of the fact that that was his favourite song.

Paul McCartney – From “Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now” by Barry Miles, 1997

He did demo ‘Goodbye’ for me, which he wrote and then produced. And when we recorded it we played the guitar part together, plus Paul added a thigh slap all through the song and played ukulele.

Mary Hopkin – Interview with Record Collector, 1988

The two of you played acoustic guitar together on “Goodbye” right?

Yes, we did. And Paul put a thigh–slap on there—on his own thigh, I might add! It’s a good song for its kind, but whether it was suited to me, I don’t know. It was easy for me to do those songs. They were fun little pop songs. So it was very easy for me to say, “Oh. Okay. Yes.” But as soon as I realized what was happening, I started putting the reins on, and putting my foot down about what material I was going to do.

I trusted Paul’s judgment, anyway. I would never condemn him for what he did; because he did what he felt was right for me. And I really enjoyed working with him.

Mary Hopkin – Interview with Goldmine, 1992

Paul then wrote a follow-up song to “Those Were the Days,” a G song called “Goodbye,” which Mary Hopkin sang beautifully. “Goodbye” featured an arrangement by Richard Hewson, whom I had brought to Apple to work on James Taylor’s album. Paul and I used him for “Those Were the Days” and Paul stuck with him for “Goodbye.” The arrangement Richard did for “Goodbye” incorporated many of Paul’s favourite elements. The trumpet doing pa-pa-pa-pa eighth notes is very much a Paul kind of idea. Indeed, the little pitter-patter noise that Paul put in there for percussion is very Buddy Holly influenced, another of Paul’s favourites. Paul McCartney, by the way, also played the bass on that record.

From “The Beatles from A to Zed: An Alphabetical Mystery Tour” by Peter Asher, 2024

During the same sessions, another track, “Sparrow,” was also recorded. Written by Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, a songwriting duo signed to Apple Publishing, the song featured Mary on vocals and guitar, Paul on maracas, a session musician on upright bass, and a choir part arranged by Hewson.

“Sparrow” was lovely, because that’s when my friendship with [songwriters] Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle started. And we’ve been friends ever since, which is about the most wonderful thing that’s come out of my time with Apple. It was a little somber, on reflection, but at the time I was happy with it.

Mary Hopkin – Interview with Goldmine Magazine, 1992

The March 1 session was filmed by Apple’s Tony Bramwell for use in a promotional clip. In the footage, Mary is seen miming to “Goodbye,” with additional shots showing her and Paul in the control room listening to a playback.

Session activities

1. Goodbye

   Written by Paul McCartney

   Recording

   AlbumOfficially released on Goodbye / Sparrow

2. Sparrow

   Written by Graham Lyle, Benny Gallagher

   Recording

   AlbumOfficially released on Goodbye / Sparrow

Staff

Musicians on "Goodbye"

Musicians on "Sparrow"

Production staff

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