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Released in 2026

Life Can Be Hard

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on May 18, 2026

Album This song officially appears on the The Boys Of Dungeon Lane Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2026

Master release

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interview

“Life Can Be Hard” is a track from the album “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane“, released in 2026. An early version of the song was first heard in the documentary “McCartney 3,2,1” in 2021.

McCartney wrote this during lockdown, when “a lot of people had a hard time, but then a lot of people didn’t. We were lucky. I was with Nancy and she had her niece and her spouse, and they had a new baby, so it was really cool, the two of us in the house with the two of them and the baby.” He recalled how “every morning Nancy would get up and say to Marissa, her niece, ‘Can I wake the baby up?’” He pulled out a guitar to play some licks from the song, then talked about how the baby would touch the guitar, which adds to their affection for the tune — a “hope for the future” number.

From Variety, April 17, 2026 – From the “Boys of Dungeon Lane” listening session, April 16, 2026

A sweet love song written during the COVID lockdown which McCartney and Shevell spent with Shevell’s niece, her husband and their new baby. “It was very nice. Every day, [Nancy] would ask if she could wake the baby,” McCartney said, once again grabbing an acoustic guitar. As the crowd cheered, he laughed and said, “I haven’t done anything! Let me try again.” The audience again cheered, leading McCartney to very good-naturedly mutter, “pathetic.” 

He demonstrated how he created a gentle melody and then would let the baby strum the strings, leading Shevell’s niece and husband to declare that “it’s our song.” The genial, simple song is meant to inspire hope for the future. “I like that tune,” he said after it played. “It has very good memories.”

From Billboard, April 17, 2026 – From the “Boys of Dungeon Lane” listening session, April 16, 2026

There’s a lot of hardship for many people – some people might have a health issue, a financial issue, whatever. Everyone’s got something, but we’ve got to beat our way through those hardships. […] It beats the alternative, you know? The alternative is your life turns sour, and I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to get depressed, so I fight it and think, Come on, you’ve got a lot of good stuff going on. Concentrate on that. It’s not always easy – in fact, it’s never easy.

Paul McCartney – Interview with MOJO, July 2026

Lyrics

Life can be hard, but then

That's when we start to put it together again

She calls me on

And I'm enchanted by her beauty

And if I play, she'll dance

Watching her sway, I know that there's always a chance

She'll put me right

And be excited by the notion

She loves me even when life presses harder

That's when we don't need the words

I can see when there's no food in the larder

I know that she wouldn't care

Maybe the starlight that shines in her eyes

Sings to the moon in her hair

Each time we meet, there's a look of surprise

She sprinkles love everywhere

And if I play, she'll dance

Watching her sway, I know that there's always a chance

She'll put me right

And be excited by the notion

Enchanted by her beauty

She loves me even when life presses harder

That's when we don't need the words

I can see when there's no food in the larder

I know that she wouldn't care

Maybe the starlight that shines in her eyes

Sings to the moon in her hair

Each time we meet, there's a look of surprise

She sprinkles love everywhere

Life can be hard, but then

That's when we start to put it together again

She calls me on

And I'm enchanted by her beauty

Excited by the notion

Enchanted by her beauty

Life can be hard

Officially appears on

See all official recordings containing “Life Can Be Hard”

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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Marilyn Krueger • Feb 15, 2024 • 2 years ago

Paul..Life can be hard…perfect title for a movie and perfect song for the movie. I’ve even written a story but need more words to your song . Absolutely love it as always love everything you do.

jonny maccarronny • Jun 02, 2026 • 4 days ago

I needed some time to "get into this song", but now it is like a little ear worm that stays and stays. It is funny and eye-opening, how a little tune that first does not stick to the ear can become such a masterpiece of easiness and melodic artistry.

Thank you very much!

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