- Album This song officially appears on the Kisses On the Bottom Official album.
- Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 2011 (Paul McCartney was 69 years old)
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Recording "Kisses On The Bottom"
May 2011 ?
Orchestra overdubs for "My Valentine"
Oct 05 - 06, 2011
2021 ?
Original songs from the 'Kisses On The Bottom' sessions
Officially appears on Kisses On the Bottom
Officially appears on Wallflower
Related interviews
Interview for the Zane Lowe Show
Dec 21, 2020 • From Apple Music 1
Twitter Q&A with Paul McCartney
Sep 10, 2018 • From Twitter
Paul McCartney Talks One on One Tour, Pre-Stage Rituals, Rap as Poetry
Jul 06, 2017 • From RollingStone
Paul McCartney discusses songwriting and RAM with Mansun's Paul Draper
May 28, 2012 • From Drowned In Sound
Paul McCartney Blows 'Kisses' To His Father's Era
Mar 29, 2012 • From NPR Music
March 2012 • From RollingStone
Interview from the "Kisses On The Bottom" booklet
February 2012
Ich lag auf dem Teppich und lauschte
Jan 26, 2012 • From Die Zeit
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Song facts
“My Valentine” is a song written by Paul McCartney. It was one of the two original songs featured on his 2012 album “Kisses On The Bottom” (the other one being “Only Our Hearts“).
“My Valentine” was written for his third wife, Nancy Shevell, whom he married in October 2011. From DailyMail:
They wed in a lavish ceremony in October last year. And Paul McCartney, 70, has now lifted the lid on how a rainy day inspired him to write a song about wife Nancy Shevell. The singer famously wrote a love letter to his American heiress wife on Valentine’s Day while on holiday in Morocco. […]
The former Beatles star wrote the tune on a rainy day while on holiday in Morocco as the couple about their hotel to keep dry. Paul revealed: ‘We were on holiday together, Nancy and I, and it was raining, it’s kind of led me towards a kind of minor-y type thing and the sentiment of you know, oh it’s raining.’
I was in Morocco with Nancy, who’s now my wife, and we were having a nice holiday but it was raining rather a lot. I said, “A pity it’s raining” and she said “It doesn’t matter, we can still have a good time.” And I’m like that, too, I don’t mind at all. So there was an old piano, slightly out of tune, in the foyer of the hotel. And there was this lovely Irish guy who knew so much old stuff, like Beautiful Dreamer, If You Were The Only Girl In The World … Again, stuff from my Dad’s era. I used to enjoy listening to him and he put me in mind of that genre.
So one afternoon, when it was raining, I was in that foyer, and without anyone noticing except a couple of waiters who were clearing up, I sat at the piano and started knocking around with this little tune: “What if it rained? We didn’t care. She said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine … ” So we did that one and eventually I had the pleasure of working with Eric (Clapton), who put a lovely acoustic guitar part on. And by the way, I forgot the important ingredient, the day I wrote it was Valentine’s Day, a fairly important fact! It was our first dance, very romantic.
Paul McCartney – from the “Kisses On The Bottom” liner notes
Prior to the recording for “Kisses On The Bottom“, McCartney performed “My Valentine” for Nancy at their wedding:
Paul performed a special song late in the evening. He had written it especially for ‘his lovely’ Nancy for this day.
It was lovely. She was truly touched and looked as though she shed a tear. I had a lovely time. It was superb. It couldn’t have been more superb or perfect a wedding.
Sir David Frost
“My Valentine” was recorded with Eric Clapton on guitar (he also played on “Get Yourself Another Fool“, another track of “Kisses On The Bottom“).
When I played it to Tommy [LiPuma], he said ‘Yeah, I love it, great.’ So we did that one and eventually I had the pleasure of working with Eric [Clapton], who put a lovely acoustic guitar part on.
Paul McCartney
When we were recording [My Valentine] we were in Abbey Road, and I said, ‘Say Eric, the last time we were working here together, was when you were sitting over there playing guitar on George’s song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’.’ So there was an, I don’t know what, 40 year gap, and only 10 yards physically.
Paul McCartney
Last updated on November 12, 2020

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.
"My Valentine" is one of the 154 songs covered.
Lyrics
What if it rained
We didn't care
She said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine
And she was right, this love of mine
My valentine
As days and night
Would pass me by
I’d tell myself that I was waiting for a sign
Then she appeared, a love so fine
My valentine
And I will love her for life
And I will never let a day go by
Without remembering the reasons why
She makes me certain that I can fly
And so I do
Without a care
I know that someday soon the sun is gonna shine
And she'll be there, this love of mine
My valentine
Solo
What if it rained
We didn't care
She said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine
And she was right, this love of mine
My valentine
Officially appears on
CD Single • Released in 2012
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2012
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Kisses On the Bottom (Deluxe version)
Official album • Released in 2012
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
iTunes Live from Capitol Studios
Official live • Released in 2012
3:22 • Live • L1
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra conductor
- John Clayton :
- Bass
- Anthony Wilson :
- Guitar
- Gayle Levant :
- Harp
- Joel Derouin :
- Violin
- Joe Walsh :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
- Principal cellist
- Jodi Burnett :
- Cello
- Songa Lee :
- Violin
- Katia Popov :
- Violin
- Michele Richards :
- Violin
- Kathleen Sloan :
- Violin
- Marcy Vaj :
- Concertmaster
- Josefina Vergara :
- Violin
- Rob Brophy :
- Viola
- Rudy Stein :
- Cello
- Sid Page :
- Violin
- Mario DeLeon :
- Violin
- Henry Gronnier :
- Violin
- Tammy Hatwan :
- Violin
- Serena McKinney :
- Violin
- Evan Wilson :
- Principal violist
- Thomas Diener :
- Viola
- Leah Katz :
- Viola
- Jennifer Kuhn :
- Cello
Concert From "Live From Capitol Studios" in Los Angeles, USA on Feb 09, 2012
Kisses On The Bottom - Complete Kisses
Official album • Released in 2012
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Kisses On The Bottom - Complete Kisses
Official album • Released in 2012
3:12 • Studio version • B • Johnny Mandel Original Arrangement
Kisses On The Bottom - Complete Kisses
Official album • Released in 2012
3:31 • Live • L1 • Live From Capitol Studios
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra conductor
- John Clayton :
- Bass
- Anthony Wilson :
- Guitar
- Gayle Levant :
- Harp
- Joel Derouin :
- Violin
- Joe Walsh :
- Guitar
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Vanessa Freebairn-Smith :
- Principal cellist
- Jodi Burnett :
- Cello
- Songa Lee :
- Violin
- Katia Popov :
- Violin
- Michele Richards :
- Violin
- Kathleen Sloan :
- Violin
- Marcy Vaj :
- Concertmaster
- Josefina Vergara :
- Violin
- Rob Brophy :
- Viola
- Rudy Stein :
- Cello
- Sid Page :
- Violin
- Mario DeLeon :
- Violin
- Henry Gronnier :
- Violin
- Tammy Hatwan :
- Violin
- Serena McKinney :
- Violin
- Evan Wilson :
- Principal violist
- Thomas Diener :
- Viola
- Leah Katz :
- Viola
- Jennifer Kuhn :
- Cello
Concert From "Live From Capitol Studios" in Los Angeles, USA on Feb 09, 2012
Official album • Released in 2016
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2016
3:16 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Paul McCartney & Spotify Singles: Under The Staircase
Streaming • Released in 2018
3:07 • Live • L2
Concert From ""Under The Staircase" Spotify show" in London, United Kingdom on Jul 23, 2018
Bootlegs
Kisses on the bottom - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
2:11 • Studio version • A1 • Promo edit
- Paul McCartney :
- Vocals
- Tommy LiPuma :
- Producer
- Diana Krall :
- Piano, Rhythm arrangement
- Karriem Riggins :
- Drums
- Robert Hurst :
- Bass
- John Pizzarelli :
- Guitar
- London Symphony Orchestra :
- Orchestra
- Alan Broadbent :
- Orchestra arrangement, Orchestra conductor
- Roman Simovic :
- Concertmaster
- Eric Clapton :
- Guitar
- Sam Okell :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Paul Pritchard :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Al Schmitt :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Steve Genewick :
- Additional engineering
- Gordon Davidson :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Fernando Lodeiro :
- Assistant engineer
- Elliot Scheiner :
- Additional engineering
- Brian Montgomery :
- Additional engineering
- Kris Burton :
- Assistant engineer (?)
- Session Recording:
- May 2011 ?
- Studio :
- Avatar Studios, New York, USA
- Session Orchestra overdubs:
- Oct 05 - 06, 2011
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Kisses on the bottom - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
3:14 • Studio version • A2 • Alternate guitar solo by Eric Clapton
Kisses on the bottom - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
3:31 • Live • With alternate guitar solo ?
Concert From "Live From Capitol Studios" in Los Angeles, USA on Feb 09, 2012
Unofficial live
3:51 • Live
Concert From "Live at BBC Maida Vale" in London, United Kingdom on Oct 16, 2013
Unofficial live
3:38 • Live
Concert From the concert in Osaka, Japan on Nov 11, 2013
Videos
Album • Higher
Album • Kisses On the Bottom
Concert • May 09, 2013 in Fortaleza
Concert • Sep 07, 2018 in New York
Live performances
“My Valentine” has been played in 261 concerts and 13 soundchecks.
Latest concerts where My Valentine has been played
Jun 25, 2022 • United Kingdom • Pilton, Somerset • Worthy Farm
Jun 24, 2022 • 6pm • United Kingdom • Frome • Cheese & Grain
East Rutherford • Met Life Stadium • USA
Jun 16, 2022 • Part of Got Back Tour
Jun 12, 2022 • Part of Got Back Tour
Jun 08, 2022 • Part of Got Back Tour
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