Released in 1987
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Written by Duke Ellington • Bob Russell
Last updated on April 17, 2018
Released in 1987
Written by Duke Ellington • Bob Russell
Last updated on April 17, 2018
Album This song officially appears on the Once Upon a Long Ago #2 12" Single.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1987
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Jul 21, 1987
May 17, 1997 • From E! Online
From Wikipedia:
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” is a jazz standard with music by Duke Ellington and lyrics by Bob Russell. The tune was originally called “Never No Lament” and was first recorded by Ellington in 1940 as a big-band instrumental. Russell’s lyrics and the new title were added in 1942.
Two different recordings of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore“, one by The Ink Spots and the other by Ellington’s own band, reached #1 on the R&B chart in the US in 1943. Both were top-ten pop records, along with a version by Glen Gray. The Duke Ellington version reached #8 on the pop chart.
Paul McCartney recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” in 1987 for inclusion on his “Choba B CCCP” album ; from the liner notes of the album:
If ever a song was US government issue by default, it has to be Duke Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. Those opening lines … “Missed the Saturday Dance/Heard they crowded the floor/Couldn’t bear it without you/Don’t get around much anymore” … vividly capture the plight of a million GI Joes a million miles from home, crouched in a fox-hole with a spring-crank portable gramophone and fresh out of clean socks. It was to rival both You’ll Never Know and I’ll Walk Alone for World War Two ‘Our Song’ popularity. Updated, Paul’s arrangement may well be straight to the point, but the original sentiments remain the same.
In Western countries where “Choba B CCCP” was only released in 1991, this version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was first issued a B-side of Once Upon A Long Ago single.
Well
I missed the Saturday dance
I might have gone but what for
It's awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore.
Thought I'd visit the club
I got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore.
Oh, darling I guess
My mind's more at ease
But nevertheless
Why bring back memo, why bring back memo
Why bring back memories.
Been invited on dates
I heard they crowded the floor
Doesn't matter without you
Don't get around much anymore.
Oh, darling I guess
My mind's more at ease
But nevertheless
Why bring back memo, why bring back memo
Why bring back memories.
Thought I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore.
12" Single • Released in 1987
2:55 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
CD Single • Released in 1987
2:55 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Official album • Released in 1988
2:51 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Official album • Released in 1990
2:51 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Official album • Released in 1991
2:51 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Official album • Released in 2019
2:51 • Studio version • A • 2019 remaster
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums Alex Wharton : Remastering
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
It's Now Or Never (The Complete Russian Sessions)
Unofficial album • Released in 1990
2:53 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
It's Now Or Never (The Complete Russian Sessions)
Unofficial album • Released in 1990
3:07 • Live
Concert From "The Last Resort" in London, United Kingdom on Nov 27, 1987
UK Singles Collection - Volume 04
Unofficial album • Released in 2007
2:53 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Guitar, Producer, Vocals Mick Gallagher : Piano Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nick Garvey : Bass Henry Spinetti : Drums
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jul 22, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Let 'Em Out Vol. 3 - Outtakes & Upgrades
Unofficial album • Released in 2010
Alternate take • A1 • Part of 1st "Choba B CCCP" medley used for promotional purposes.
Session Recording: Jul 21, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Aug 20, 1987
“Don't Get Around Much Anymore” has been played in 1 concerts and 5 soundchecks.
Nov 27, 1987 • United Kingdom • London • Ewart Television Studios • TV show
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989
With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.
Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.
