- Timeline This song has been recorded in 1960
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.
Last updated on December 24, 2020
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
Latest concerts where I Don't Know has been played
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.