Do It Now

Written by Paul McCartney

Album This song officially appears on the Egypt Station Official album.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 2018

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions





Related interviews


Twitter Q&A with Paul McCartney

Sep 10, 2018 • From Twitter

Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.

Song facts

Do It Now” is a track from 2018 album “Egypt Station“.  From “Words Between The Tracks” YouTube series:

“Do It Now” is an expression my dad used to say.
 
It’s funny, you know, as you get older, you remember things that your parents or maybe teachers or friends said, and if there is a catchphrase. And my dad’s big catchphrase was “do it now”. You know, you would sort of say, “No, well, I’ll do it later”, and he would say, “No, do it now”.
 
And he used to say “DIN” so that was just his particular little catchphrase. And I always thought, DIN, that’s a great name for a record label…
 
Anyway, this has always been in my mind, this “Do it now” thing. So I was looking for an idea to write this song about, so then I started off, okay, I’m on a journey, I’ve been invited to go somewhere, so if I’m going in my imagination somewhere, and the idea is that if I don’t do it now, I may never get to this place. Basically it’s a song, an imaginary journey suggested by the fact that my dad would have said, “Go on that journey now, don’t leave it till it’s too late”. So there it is. Do it now.

Paul McCartney

A song like ‘Do It Now’ knocked me out

Producer Greg Kurstin
Each track of “Egypt Station” has been given individual artwork that was first published on Twitter on August 14, 2018

Last updated on December 22, 2019

The book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present", published in 2021, covers Paul McCartney's early Liverpool days, the Beatles, Wings, and solo careers, by pairing the lyrics of 154 of his songs with first-person commentaries of the circumstances in which they were written, the people and places that inspired them, and what he thinks of them now.

"Do It Now" is one of the 154 songs covered.

Lyrics

Got the time, the inclination
I have answered your invitation
I’ll be leaving in the morning
Watch me go

I don’t know where the wind is blowing
Got directions to where I’m going
Nothing’s certain
That’s the only thing I know

Do it now, do it now
While the vision is clear
Do it now
While the feeling is here

If you leave it too late
It could all disappear
Do it now
While your vision is clear

Do do doo…

I don’t regret the steps I’m taking
The decision that I’m making
Is the right one, or I’m never
Going to know

Got the time, the inclination
(It’s not too late)
I have answered your invitation
(You’ve still got time)
I’ll be leaving in the morning
(Follow the beat of your heart)
Watch me go

So do it now, do it now
While your vision is clear
Do it now
While the feeling is here

If you leave it too late
It could all disappear
So do it now
While your vision is clear

Do do doo…

Variations


A Album version

Officially appears on


Egypt Station (Limited Orange & Blue LP)

Official album

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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 (Limited Red LP)

Official album • Released in 2018

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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 (Limited Green Spotify LP)

Official album • Released in 2018

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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 (Orange cassette)

Cassette • Released in 2018

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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

Official album • Released in 2018

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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

3:29 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Backing vocals, Toms
Alan Broadbent :
Orchestration
Keith Smith :
Engineering assistant
Matt Funes :
Viola
Greg Kurstin :
Engineering, Orchestral percussion programming, Producer
Steve Orchard :
Engineering
Jamie Kirkham :
Engineering assistant
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Michael Freeman :
Mixing assistant
Alex Pasco :
Engineering
Julian Burg :
Engineering
Matt Tuggle :
Engineering assistant
Collin Kadlec :
Engineering assistant
Paul Pritchard :
Engineering assistant
Derek Stockwell :
Mixing assistant
Everton Nelson :
1st violin
John Metcalfe :
1st viola
Bruce White :
2nd viola
Ian Burdge :
Cello
Al Schmitt :
Engineering
Steve Genewick :
Engineering assistant
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
Cello
Jodi Burnett :
Cello
Caroline Campbell :
Violin
Mario De Leon :
Violin
Peter Kent :
Violin
Songa Lee :
Violin
Natalie Leggett :
Violin
Robin Olson :
Violin
Katia Popov :
Violin
Michele Richards :
Violin
Kathleen Sloan :
Violin
Tereza Stanislav :
Violin
Marcy Vaj :
Violin
Josefina Vergara :
Violin
Amy Wickman :
Violin
John Wittenberg :
Violin
Darrin McCann :
Viola
Andrew Duckles :
Viola
Kate Reddish :
Viola
Rob Brophy :
Viola
Richard Dodd :
Cello
Rudy Stein :
Cello
Gayle Levant Richards :
Harp
Marcia Dickstein :
Harp
Dan Higgins :
B flat clarinet
Stuart Clark :
B flat clarinet
Joshua Ranz :
B flat clarinet
Philip O’Connor :
B flat clarinet
Ralph Williams :
Contrabass clarinet in b flat
Jamie Hovorka :
Trumpet
Kye Palmer :
Trumpet
Tony Guerrero :
Trumpet
Doug Tornquist :
Tuba

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Recording:
2016-2018 ?
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

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

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