Although details are a little sketchy, it seems this song was written by Tony Sheridan and Paul McCartney together, in June 1961 (or December 1962, depending which version is believed). Initially only a vague claim, the passing of time has consolidated the story, which is now generally accepted.
Sheridan did not record the song until as late as 1997, and that version never appeared, reportedly due to a block by McCartney. (The recording has seeped out on bootlegs however.) It came to full public availability in 2005 with the CD/DVD, Chantal Meets Tony Sheridan, where it is given the compositional credit, “McCartney/Sheridan”.
From PAUL MCCARTNEY – Tony Sheridan Reel-to-Reel Tape Featuring Song Co-Written with Paul McCartney – PAUL MCCARTNEY – Tony Sheridan Reel-to-Reel Tape Featuring Song Co-Written with Paul McCartney – A German Schneider 7-inch reel-to-reel tape containing eight songs by guitarist Tony Sheridan, best known as an early collaborator with The Beatles. The sixth listed track “Tell Me If You Can” was co-written with Paul McCartney either in June of 1961 or December of 1962. This tape was originally the property of The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein. Sheridan has handwritten details about the recording, including the track list, on the tape’s storage box in black and blue ink. The box exhibits signs of wear due to age and the lot is accompanied by a letter from Epstein’s nephew confirming its history. Dimensions (tape): 18 cm x 18 cm x 1.5 cm (7″ x 7″ x 0.5″)
Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.
The PaulMcCartney Project • Jul 03, 2025 • 1 year ago
Thanks Luc ! I will add this album !
2026 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.
