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Released in 2018

I Don't Know

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on September 9, 2018

Album This song officially appears on the I Don't Know / Come On To Me Single (streaming).

Timeline This song was officially released in 2018

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interviews

“I Don’t Know” is a song written by Paul McCartney, and released alongside “Come On To Me” 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:

I wrote this after going through a difficult period. Like people have nothing sort of madly serious or anything, but just one of those days when it’s like, “Oh my god, am I doing wrong here”, you know. And sometimes that’s a good way to write a song, because you’re coming from your soul. And we often used to say that writing a song was like talking to a psychiatrist, a therapist or something. Because you’re saying it… You are saying it in a song rather than in a room to a specialist. Yeah, so it was me just thinking this problem out, and putting it into a song.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney, interview with MOJO, October 2018:

Crows at the window, dogs at your door – what’s going on there?

That’s a grown-up song. Sometimes in your life, you’re not a god on Olympus. You’re a real person walking round the streets. I’m a grandfather, a father, a husband, and in that package there’s no guarantee that every minute’s gonna go right. In fact, quite the opposite. And there was a private occasion – I’m not gonna get into it – that brought me down. “God, what am I doing wrong?” I’m not knocking it, I have a great life. But from time to time, reality intrudes. This was one of those occasions where it was like, “Oh, fuck me…” The only thing I would do was sit down at the piano. “Got crows at the window! Dogs at ma door!” It all spilled out in that song.

So it’s a piano ballad in the blues tradition?

Well exactly, it really is. “Ma woman left me!” It wasn’t that, but it was that sort of feeling. I didn’t really know what to do about it, other than write a song. So I wrote the song and then felt I had more of an idea what to do. You write out your demons. It felt good to just say, “I don’t know what to do!” It’s like owning up.

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

Lyrics

I got crows at my window

Dogs at my door

I don't think I can take any more

What am I doing wrong, I don't know

My brother told me

Life's not a pain

That was right when it started to rain

Where am I going wrong, I don't know

But it's alright, sleep tight

I will take the strain

You're fine, love of mine

You will feel no pain

Well, I see trouble

at every turn

I've got so many lessons to learn

What am I doing wrong, I don't know

Now what's the matter with me

Am I right, am I wrong

Now I've started to see

I must try to be strong

I tried to love you

Best as I can

But you know that I'm only a man

Why am I going wrong, I don't know

But it's alright, sleep tight

I will take the strain

Yeah, you're fine, little love of mine

You will feel no pain

I got crows at my window

Dogs at my door

I don't think I can take any more

What am I doing wrong, I don't know

Now what's the matter with me

I don't know, I don't know

What's the matter with me

I don't know, I don't know

What's the matter with me

I don't know, I don't know

Variations

  • A Original version
  • A1 Radio Edit

Officially appears on

See all official recordings containing “I Don't Know”

Bootlegs

Related film

Videos

Album Egypt Station (Limited Green Spotify LP)

Live performances

“I Don't Know” has been played in 8 soundchecks.

Going further

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present

"I Don't Know" is one of the songs featured in the book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present," published in 2021. The book explores Paul McCartney's early Liverpool days, his time with the Beatles, Wings, and his solo career. It pairs the lyrics of 154 of his songs with his first-person commentary on the circumstances of their creation, the inspirations behind them, and his current thoughts on them.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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.

Mathew • Jun 22, 2018 • 7 years ago

"You'll find, love of mine" is not a right line, there must be "You're fine" (it can be seen in lyric video).

"I won't be your man" must be "I'm only a man"

The PaulMcCartney Project • Jul 03, 2018 • 7 years ago

Hi Mathew, thanks very much for this - I have made the changes !

Joanie Obx • Sep 16, 2018 • 6 years ago

Who's the female backup singer?

The PaulMcCartney Project • Sep 17, 2018 • 6 years ago

Hi Joanie, there is none female backup singer credited - but Greg Kurstin is credited for "backing vocal arrangement".

Fuh You! • Nov 16, 2018 • 6 years ago

"I Don't Know" was played in soundcheck for one of the Tokyo shows... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCNCic5CgM0&fbclid=IwAR09LiywWLmNkxL0ArvW56JtDD7Im9pF6jFFtfYkqfPkdFKVO5yU30e5iuY

The PaulMcCartney Project • Nov 18, 2018 • 6 years ago

Oh thank you @fuh you ! Didn't notice that !

Damon • Nov 15, 2020 • 4 years ago

He did this in soundcheck if I recall correctly.

Andrey Michael • Dec 05, 2022 • 2 years ago

Where can we hear the radio edit of I Don't Know?

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