- Album This song officially appears on the I Don't Know / Come On To Me Streaming.
- Timeline This song has been officially released in 2018
- Sessions This song has been recorded during the following sessions
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Song facts
“Come On To Me” is a song written by Paul McCartney, and released alongside “I Don’t Know” as a Double-A single in June 2018, ahead of the release of McCartney’s 2018 “Egypt Station” album. From the press release:
Following a whirlwind week that saw his Instagram presence rebooted as he played one of the most intimate gigs of his storied career, Paul McCartney is done keeping the world in suspense: ‘I Don’t Know’ and ‘Come On To Me’, will be released tomorrow as a double A-Side single.
The first tastes of Paul’s brand new studio album due out later this year on Capitol Records, the two A-sides are polar opposites: ‘I Don’t Know’ being a plaintive, soul-soothing ballad as only Paul can deliver, and ‘Come On To Me’ a raucous stomper that fans that first spark of chemistry into a rocking blaze.
Worldwide speculation about a new Paul McCartney album instantly reached fever pitch as his Instagram account whited out last week—only to ratchet higher as Paul was spotted taking selfies at landmarks in Liverpool the same day. The evening’s climactic event was a surprise gig at the tiny Liverpool Philharmonic Pub, during which ‘Come On To Me’ made its live debut alongside a set of classics spanning Paul’s career.
From “Words Between The Tracks” YouTube series:
“Come On To Me” is sort of a pick-up song, and I’m imagining myself, probably in the sixties, going to a party and seeing someone and thinking “oh okay, how do I make an approach here?”. So it’s a sort of, it’s an imaginary song, a fantasy song about a guy seeing someone and thinking “we should try and find a place to be alone here, and maybe exchange information and stuff, and hey you look like you flashed a smile and said to me you wanted so much more than casual conversation. So would you come on to me, or am I going to come on to you?
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney interviewed for Sodajerker podcast, 2018:
Come On To Me, was another one that held up great with the older stuff at the Abbey Road gig, it’s another kind of spicy lyric, that one, isn’t it?
Yeah, I mean, let’s face it, we all have these thoughts and for me, I often remember, occasions and places where it was, and to me, that’s straight out of the sixties. Some of the parties in the sixties, where you’d see a beautiful girl and she’d just give you a sort of look and you’d go, ‘oh, I’m on, I’m on or whatever,’ you know, and we all know about that! So it just seemed like a good subject for a song and then once I got the idea – I saw you flash a smile, seemed to me to say you wanted so much more than casual conversation – and I was off. That was sort of how it happened in the sixties at the parties, it’s just an imaginary thing and I write a lot of those, like, little mini novels or little short stories based on something I’ve seen or thought or done.
Paul McCartney
McCartney’s first live performance of “Come On to Me” was at a surprise intimate show at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Dining Rooms on 9 June 2018, as part of the taping of his “Carpool Karaoke” segment for The Late Late Show with James Corden.
From paulmccartney.com, October 9:
Today Paul unveils a new music video for his track ‘Come On To Me’. The video, directed by TG Herrington, follows security guard Fred “Little Freddie” Maxwell as he hijacks the in-store sound system — always a highlight of his evenings.
“LITTLE FREDDIE”:
Want to learn more about “Little Freddie”? (Hey, he may not be so little, but you’d never know it from his moves!) Freddie’s energy is contagious and you can’t spend more than a few minutes in his company without falling for his vibrant, happy and full of life character. Freddie works nights as a security guard at a luxury department store to pay for his college tuition. He agrees it’s pretty monotonous work, making the rounds and checking doors, but the solitude gives him plenty of time to study as he knows in the end it’ll pay off.But Freddie isn’t an “all work, no play” kind of guy… Freddie is still Freddie, and Freddie’s going to have fun — no matter what!
Watch Paul’s new video for ‘Come On To Me’ below and try to stop yourself falling in love with “Little Freddie’s” moves…
From paulmccartney, October 12:
Earlier in the week you (and the rest of the world) fell in love with the moves of “Little Freddie” dancing to ‘Come On To Me’ during his night shift as a security guard. Today Paul unveils a second video for the track, so allow us to introduce Ali…
ALI ALMOHRI:
Ali, a first generation American, is a self-confessed “Momma’s boy” — but in a good way. Mrs and Mr Almohri came to the US as immigrants from Syria to build a new life and raise their three sons (our hero is the middle child). Sadly Ali is the only brother who’s single so he volunteers to do the night shift duty on the family’s food truck. But at 2am, when the world starts to slow down, Ali loves to crank up his boom-box and throw down. Thankfully for us, video director TG Herrington was on hand to film his moves.Ali is hard-working, confident, joyful …and a hopeless romantic. His long-standing crush on a young woman who frequents the food truck often results in him flashing a smile that he hopes will say to her he’s looking for more than just casual conversation. Why’s that? Ali’s goal in life is to find a wife…
Watch Paul’s new video for ‘Come On To Me’ below and we dare you not to fall for Ali’s charming smile…
From paulmccartney.com, October 15, 2018:
Last week Paul released two new music videos for ‘Come On To Me’, taken from his recent number one album Egypt Station. Hearts have already been won over by “Little Freddie” and Ali. Today a new challenger for the best dance moves appears: Elsa. Let’s find out who she is…
ELSA MORALES:
Elsa is a hard-working mom of three. She works two jobs to provide for her family. Her days are spent as a seamstress, nights – cleaning corporate offices in a high-rise. She showers her kids with love and everything she does in life is for her family. Elsa is the epitome of positivity, and she radiates good energy.Fluorescent lights and empty executive offices provide the backdrop for her dance party of one, while she works.
From paulmccartney.com, October 17, 2018:
Over the past week, Paul has introduced us to three nightshift workers who all share a love of dancing to ‘Come On To Me’. We’ve met Fred “Little Freddie” Maxwell (#COTMTeamFred) who loves hijacking the in-store sound system at the department store where he works as a security guard; Ali Almohri (#COTMTeamAli) who works at his family’s food truck hoping that one day the young woman he has a crush on will notice he’s looking for more than just casual conversation; and earlier this week we met Elsa Morales (#COTMTeamElsa) who works two jobs to support her family whilst still managing to radiate good energy and be the epitome of positivity.
Today Paul publishes the official video for the track bringing together all three stories / dance routines. Watch it below.Pretty good moves, right?! Now, after these formal introductions, we have some perhaps surprising news to share: Fred, Ali nor Elsa are professional dancers / actors. They were found by director TG Herrington, getting their acting debuts by sheer force of enthusiasm.
Last updated on November 30, 2018
Lyrics
I saw you flash a smile
That seemed to me to say
You wanted so much more
Than casual conversation
I swear I caught a look
Before you turned away
Now I don't see the point
Resisting your temptation
Did you come on to me
Will I come home to you
If you come on to me
Well I'll come on to you
I don't think I can wait
Like I'm supposed to do
How soon can we arrange
A formal introduction
We need to find a place
Where we can be alone
To spend some special time
Without an interruption
If you come on to me
Will I come on to you
If you come on to me
Well I'll come on to you
Before you grab your coat, I'll try to be discreet
You know we can't be seen
Exchanging information
I saw you flash a smile
That seemed to me to say
You wanted so much more
Than casual conversation
If you come on to me
Then I'll come on to you
If you come on to me
Then I'll come on to you
Yes I will, yes I will, yes I will now
Yes I will, yes I will, yes I will now
If you come on to me
Then I'll come on to you
If you come on to me
Then I'll come on to you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 2018
4:11 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
CD Single • Released in 2018
3:17 • Studio version • A1 • Radio edit
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
CD Single • Released in 2018
4:10 • Studio version • A • Original version
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Egypt Station (Deluxe edition)
Official album • Released in 2018
4:11 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
7" Single • Released in 2018
Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Egypt Station - Traveller's Edition
Official album • Released in 2019
Live • L1
- Paul McCartney:
- Bass, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Background vocals, Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Keyboards
- Brian Ray:
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Giles Martin:
- Mixer, Producer, Recording engineer
- Steve Orchard:
- Mixer, Recording engineer
- Randy Merrill:
- Mastering engineer
Concert From ""Under The Staircase" Spotify show" in London, United Kingdom on Jul 23, 2018
Egypt Station - Explorer's Edition
Official album • Released in 2019
4:11 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Egypt Station - Traveller's Edition
Official album • Released in 2019
4:11 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Acoustic guitar, Claps, Co-producer, Electric guitar, Harmonica, Mrs mills piano, Tom toms, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Electric guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Hammond, Synth strings
- Brian Ray:
- Bass, Electric sitar
- Keith Smith:
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Phillinganes:
- Piano
- Greg Kurstin:
- Electric guitar, Engineering, Percussion, Producer
- Steve Orchard:
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham:
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent:
- Mixing
- Michael Freeman:
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco:
- Engineering
- Julian Burg:
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle:
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec:
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux:
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard:
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell:
- Mixing assistant
- Tim Loo:
- Cello
- Doug Moffet:
- Soprano sax
- Steve Herrman:
- Trumpet
- Tom ‘Bones’ Malone:
- Tenor sax
- Charles Rose:
- Trombone
- Jim Hoke:
- Baritone sax
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Recording:
- Unknown dates
- Studio:
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Recording:
- Late 2017 ?
- Studio:
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- 2018 ?
- Studio:
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Egypt Station - Explorer's Edition
Official album • Released in 2019
Live • L1
- Paul McCartney:
- Bass, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson:
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr.:
- Background vocals, Drums
- Paul Wickens:
- Keyboards
- Brian Ray:
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Giles Martin:
- Mixer, Producer, Recording engineer
- Steve Orchard:
- Mixer, Recording engineer
- Randy Merrill:
- Mastering engineer
Concert From ""Under The Staircase" Spotify show" in London, United Kingdom on Jul 23, 2018
Bootlegs
Freshen Up Tokyo Dome November 1 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Live
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 01, 2018
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Live
Concert From "Austin City Limits Music Festival" in Austin, USA on Oct 05, 2018
Freshen Up Tour QUEBEC City 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Live
Concert From the concert in Quebec City, Canada on Sep 17, 2018
Freshen Up Tokyo Dome October 31 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Live
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Oct 31, 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Live
Concert From "Secret New York Concert" in New York, USA on Sep 07, 2018
Live performances
“Come On To Me” has been played in 45 concerts.
Latest concerts where “Come On To Me” has been played
Jul 13, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jul 10, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jul 06, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jun 29, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jun 28, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
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The chorus lyrics in the "Lyrics" section of this page differ from those shown in the photo of Macca's notes.
Thanks T.M. Many mistakes in those lyrics - but good news, we now have a detailed view on the deluxe package, with readable lyrics - https://s3.amazonaws.com/broadtime_photo/418459501370 ! I've updated accordingly !