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Released in 1982

I'll Give You A Ring

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on April 24, 2024

Album This song officially appears on the Take It Away / I'll Give You A Ring 7" Single.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1982

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1974, when Paul McCartney was 32 years old)

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

“I’ll Give You a Ring” is a McCartney song released as the B-side of “Take It Away“, a 1982 single taken from the “Tug Of War” album.

It is believed that the song has been written around 1973 or 1974. A demo has been bootlegged on the so-called “Piano tape“. There is quite some controversy about the recording of this tape – have all songs been taped at the same date or not, mid-1973 or early 1974 ? What is sure is that “I’ll Give You a Ring” has been played by Paul McCartney when recording his TV documentary “One Hand Clapping” in August 1974, in a version quite close to the version on “Tug Of War”.

It is very likely that the backing track of the version released in 1982 has been recorded in 1974, maybe during the sessions for the album “McGear”. One hint of this is the presence of clarinet player Tony Coe on “I’ll Give You A Ring” as well as on “Leave It“, a song from “McGear“.

Early 1980, “I’ll Give You A Ring” was considered to be part of the “Cold Cuts” project.

Lyrics

You look a little lonely

Maybe I could meet you

Tell me where to reach you

And I'll give you a ring

I'll take you to the pictures

I'll miss the second feature

Lord, I can't believe my eyes

I must be dreaming

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

You look a little hungry

Maybe I could take you

Tell when to wake you up

And I'll give you a ring

I take you to the restaurant

We're looking at the menu

Lord, I can't believe my eyes

I must be dreaming

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Oh man

I know I won't be lonely any more

(Won't be lonely any more)

Me and my phone

I'm gonna call your home

I won't be lonely any more

(Won't be lonely any more)

You look a little lonely

Maybe I could meet you

Tell me where to reach you

And I'll give you a ring

I'll take you to the pictures

Miss the second feature

Lord, I can't believe my eyes

I must be dreaming

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Oh man

I know I won't be lonely any more

(Won't be lonely any more)

Me and my phone

I'm gonna call your home

I won't be lonely any more

(Won't be lonely any more)

You look a little sleepy

Wanna go to bed, dear?

Tell me can wed, dear

I'll give you a ring

Take you to the chapel

Listen to the sermon

Lord, I can't believe my ears

I must be dreaming

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Give me your number, I'll give you a ring

Variations

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “I'll Give You A Ring”

Videos

Album One Hand Clapping (2 LP and 7”)

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further

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.

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Paul McCartney writing

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Barry Newton • 7 years ago

I've read previously, that this tune dates back to the Venus & Mars sessions in 74 or earlier. That for the most part George Martin's main contributions to this record, Was to write the clarinet score & oversee the overdub session & mixdown .

I'd like to verify this info & similarly, there are quite a few obscure McCartney "B" sides & rarities where info is lacking. Just generally speaking.

I'd always thought of this tune as a charming throwaway with an obvious George Martin influence with Beatley sounding production, like much of TOW & Pipes To Peace. But if it was mostly done before Martin Even heard it, Then Sir George was less involved than I had believed. So which is it ?

The PaulMcCartney Project • 7 years ago

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your comment.

"I'll Give You A Ring" has indeed been written early 1974 - it's available in a demo form on The Piano Tape dated this period and was also played during One Hand Clapping.

Overdubs have been done in 1981 before release on the B-Side of "Take It Away"

Hope it clarifies!

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