- Album This song officially appears on the I Don't Know / Come On To Me Streaming.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
"Egypt Station" sessions at Henson Studios
2016-2018 ?
"Egypt Station" sessions at Hog Hill Mill
2016-2018 ?
Egypt Station sessions at Abbey Road
Late 2017 ?
2018 ?
Related interviews
The real Paul McCartney faces his demons
October 2018 • From MOJO
Sep 14, 2018 • From NME
Twitter Q&A with Paul McCartney
Sep 10, 2018 • From Twitter
Paul McCartney interview: the Beatles star on seeing God, teaching Stormzy to play piano..
Sep 02, 2018 • From The Sunday Times
You Gave Me The Answer: Instagram asks...
Aug 01, 2018 • From paulmccartney.com
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
“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
Last updated on September 9, 2018
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.
"I Don't Know" is one of the 154 songs covered.
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
Officially appears on
Egypt Station (Limited Orange & Blue LP)
Official album
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
CD Single • Released in 2018
3:45 • Studio version • A1 • Radio Edit
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
CD Single • Released in 2018
4:26 • Studio version • A • Original version
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
I Don't Know / Come On To Me (Promo)
7" Single • Released in 2018
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
Streaming • Released in 2018
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
Official album • Released in 2018
4:27 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Bass, Co-producer, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
- Keith Smith :
- Engineering assistant
- Greg Kurstin :
- Backing vocal arrangement, Cello, Clarinet, Electric tremolo guitar, Engineering, Mellotron-flute, Producer, Synth-french horns, Timpani
- Steve Orchard :
- Engineering
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Engineering assistant
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Michael Freeman :
- Mixing assistant
- Alex Pasco :
- Engineering
- Billy Bush :
- Engineering
- Julian Burg :
- Engineering
- Matt Tuggle :
- Engineering assistant
- Collin Kadlec :
- Engineering assistant
- Brad Giroux :
- Engineering assistant
- Paul Pritchard :
- Engineering assistant
- Derek Stockwell :
- Mixing assistant
- Rob Millett :
- Cimbalom
- 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
Bootlegs
Freshen Up Tokyo Dome November 1 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Soundcheck
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 01, 2018
Soundcheck 2018 Original In-Ear Monitor Recording
Unofficial live • Released in 2018
Soundcheck
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 01, 2018
Freshen Up Liverpool Echo Arena 2018
Unofficial live • Released in 2019
Soundcheck
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Dec 12, 2018
Live performances
“I Don't Know” has been played in 8 soundchecks.
Contribute!
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"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"
Hi Mathew, thanks very much for this - I have made the changes !
Who's the female backup singer?
Hi Joanie, there is none female backup singer credited - but Greg Kurstin is credited for "backing vocal arrangement".
"I Don't Know" was played in soundcheck for one of the Tokyo shows... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCNCic5CgM0&fbclid=IwAR09LiywWLmNkxL0ArvW56JtDD7Im9pF6jFFtfYkqfPkdFKVO5yU30e5iuY
Oh thank you @fuh you ! Didn't notice that !
He did this in soundcheck if I recall correctly.
Where can we hear the radio edit of I Don't Know?