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- Album This song officially appears on the New Official album.
- Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 2012 (Paul McCartney was 70 years old)
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Recording NEW with Paul Epworth #1
January 2012
Recording NEW with Paul Epworth #2
March 2013
April 2013
Other songs co-written with Paul Epworth
Officially appears on New (Japan Edition)
Officially appears on New
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Song facts
“Save Us” is a track of McCartney’s 2013 album “New“, co-written with Paul Epworth, one of the four producers of the album. It is the opening song of the album, and also the first song recorded for the album.
For New, he was feeling social. His first stop was at the London studio of Paul Epworth, the young producer and songwriter best known for his work on Adele’s 21, which McCartney, like so many millions, adored. McCartney arrived empty-handed. “I was like, ‘OK, what am I going to do here?‘” he recalls. “I’m very open – I just don’t wanna bore myself.” Epworth was assertive. He mouthed a muscular, hurtling rock beat, telling McCartney that this was the tempo and energy he should hit. “I said, ‘That’s a good idea, let’s get lively, let’s not get all deep and serious,‘” McCartney says. “So he jumped on the drum kit, I jumped on the piano, we multilayered it, I put chords in, structured it a bit, and started blocking out the words. Normally with me it’s melody and lyric at the same time – I’ll follow the train of thought, and the lyrics and melody all come at once. But when you’re improvising, you don’t have words, you don’t know what the song’s about. You just know how it feels and how a vocal might sound, so you go wada bada bada wado biddo woo in order to get the melody, then you find words that fit the blocking.” The session yielded “Save Us.”
From RollingStone, November 7, 2013
When I was ready to record the album, I was looking at producers to see who I got on with. First of all I went ’round to Paul. Paul Epworth and his studio above a little shop in the high street. I knew he had done a lot of great work, but I didn’t know him. I didn’t know whether I was going to like his character. I went up there and said: ‘I’ve got my little bag of songs.’ He said: ‘You know what? I’ve got this ideal. I’ve got this feeling of what it should be like…’. So he started to give me this up-tempo beat, and I said okay – realising now that we are gonna make it up. I didn’t know he did that. I just got on the piano and started banging away, he jumped on the drums, and he’s a good drummer, Paul. I said: ‘What do we do? We keep you on drums?’ He said: ‘Sometimes. We can get a proper drummer in.’ But he didn’t sound convinced. No way was he ever gonna get a proper drummer in! The thing is he’s got great energy. And it was his idea after all to do that tempo. So I said: ‘Let’s hear how it sounds,’ so I banged it out on the piano, started to put some chords with the idea and we gradually just that day layered it and finished it up.
Paul McCartney
On this occasion with Save Us, Paul [Epworth] just had that idea so I just ran along with it. We got a backing cooking, I put some bass on it and I put a guitar on it and so it sounded like what you hear on the record. And then the thing was ‘Well, what song is this?’ So I started mumbling and blocking out words ‘What did I just sing?’ You just pull words and I just scribbled some stuff down. So that one was very organic and wrote itself over a few hours.
Paul McCartney
I feel like I thrive as a producer from getting in a room with somebody, and making music from scratch. He came down for a meeting, to sit down and have a chat, and within an hour we were in the live room with him on bass and me on drums – that was definitely a pinch yourself moment! – and within 20 minutes we had this riff together, which became the first song on the record. […]
We worked out the basic vibe for Save Us with the bass and the drums. Then I said, ‘Why don’t we try it on the piano?’ So McCartney sat down on the piano and moved between these chords and gave it a sort of pounding rhythm. I watched him playing that piano and taking the chords I’d been playing, shifting the fingering around a bit and suddenly it sounded like a McCartney song. I was pretty astonished – it was like a big reveal!
Paul Epworth – NME, November 2013
Last updated on February 5, 2021
Lyrics
I can try to give you
Everything you ever wanted
You’re not hard to please
And the only thing I’m asking
In return is something
You can give with ease
Keep on sending your love
In the heat of battle
You got something that’ll
Save us, save us now
Got a feeling there’s a
Jungle rhythm beating in me
When I’m close to you
I don’t really want to
Ask too many favours, but there’s
Something you can do
Keep on sending your love
In the heat of battle
We got something that’ll
Save us, save us now
Oh oh oh oh you’re my woman
Oh oh oh oh keep it coming
Oh oh oh oh you’ve got something
That could save us, save us
Keep on sending your love
Oh oh oh oh
Cos in the heat of battle
You got something that’ll
Save us, save us now
Save us now
Save us now
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 2013
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2013
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2013
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2014
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2014
2:44 • Video • V1 • Live at Tokyo Dome 2013
- Toru Uehara :
- Director, Producer
Official album • Released in 2014
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2014
2:41 • Live • L1 • Live at Tokyo Dome 2013
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass guitar, Vocals
- Rusty Anderson :
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr. :
- Background vocals, Drums
- Paul Wickens :
- Background vocals, Keyboards
- Brian Ray :
- Background vocals, Guitar
- Giles Martin :
- Producer
Official album • Released in 2016
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2016
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
NEW (Limited Edition - Pink LP)
Official album • Released in 2018
2:39 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Paul Epworth :
- Drums, Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Kevin Mills :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Sam Okell :
- Recording engineer
- Jamie Kirkham :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Mark 'Spike' Stent :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Wiggins :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Swan :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Adam Miller :
- Assistant recording engineer
- John Prestage :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Laurence Anslow :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Tom Bailey :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- January 2012
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- March 2013
- Studio :
- Wolf Tone Studios, London & AIR Studios, London
- Session Overdubs:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
- Session Mixing:
- April 2013
- Studio :
- Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Bootlegs
Unofficial live
2:50 • Live
Concert From "Live at BBC Maida Vale" in London, United Kingdom on Oct 16, 2013
Unofficial live
3:04 • Live
Concert From the concert in Osaka, Japan on Nov 11, 2013
Unofficial live
2:56 • Live
Concert From the concert in Osaka, Japan on Nov 12, 2013
Unofficial live
3:02 • Live
Concert From the concert in Fukuoka, Japan on Nov 15, 2013
Unofficial live
2:56 • Live
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 18, 2013
Films
2014 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Sarah Randell
2015 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Charlie Lightening
Live performances
“Save Us” has been played in 138 concerts and 8 soundchecks.
Latest concerts where Save Us has been played
Las Vegas • T Mobile Arena • USA
Jun 29, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Moline • TaxSlayer Center • USA
Jun 11, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jun 06, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Sao Paulo • Allianz Parque • Brazil
Mar 26, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Vienna • Wiener Stadthalle • Austria
Dec 05, 2018 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
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