- Timeline This song has been recorded in 1960
- Sessions This song has been recorded during the following sessions
Other songs from the Kirchherr Tape
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
From Early Beatles Songs:
This track is only known through the Forthlin Road tapes, where it sits with the series of instrumental jams. This one is a somewhat better structured blues number, with Lennon and McCartney vocalising together and separately, although a full lyric is impossible to decipher. It is presumed to be a co-write, and the lack of proper words suggests it was of recent creation, although probably not made up on the spot. The title is derived from something Lennon seems to sing – possibly referencing himself not knowing any words.
Lyrics
[...] Time don't wait when I'm callin' you, Johnny boy...
Please Johnny, won't you tell me?
I'm gonna see my sister Sue.
If she don't want to see me I don't know really what I'm gonna do...
I don't know, I don't know.
Bootlegs
Unofficial album • Released in 1996
5:54 • Demo • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Guitar, Vocals
- John Lennon:
- Guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison:
- Guitar
- Stuart Sutcliffe:
- Bass
- Session Recording:
- circa April 1960
- Studio:
- Paul's House Forthlin Road Liverpool
Complete Home Recordings 1958-62
Unofficial album • Released in 2002
5:59 • Demo • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Guitar, Vocals
- John Lennon:
- Guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison:
- Guitar
- Stuart Sutcliffe:
- Bass
- Session Recording:
- circa April 1960
- Studio:
- Paul's House Forthlin Road Liverpool
The Silver Beatles - Lapis Lazuli
Unofficial album • Released in 2010
5:34 • Outtake • A
- Paul McCartney:
- Guitar, Vocals
- John Lennon:
- Guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison:
- Guitar
- Stuart Sutcliffe:
- Bass
- Session Recording:
- circa April 1960
- Studio:
- Paul's House Forthlin Road Liverpool
Freshen Up Tokyo Dome November 1 2018
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 7 soundchecks.
Contribute!
Have you spotted an error on the page? Do you want to suggest new content? Or do you simply want to leave a comment ? Please use the form below!
The first of the song sounds like a bereft, melancholy and wistful Paul.
But his lyrics in the “middle 8” reverts back to the Paul of unbounded optimism and dare I say--Love.
I wonder if Paul included some actual written lyrics of John and then finished up with his good-natured love ballad words?