The Puppy Song

Written by Harry Nilsson

Album This song officially appears on the Post Card (UK version - Stereo) LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1969
Timeline This song has been recorded in 1968

Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions


"Post Card" sessions

Early October 1968 to early December 1968

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Song facts

From Wikipedia:

“The Puppy Song” is a Harry Nilsson song that appeared on his album Harry released in August 1969. Nilsson originally wrote this song at Paul McCartney’s request for Mary Hopkin, an 18-year-old singer that McCartney had signed to Apple Records and whose first album, Post Card would feature her version of Nilsson’s song. […]

Harry Nilsson’s records were on everyone’s turntables at Apple, from press officer Derek Taylor to all four Beatles, and Apple would have signed him if it wasn’t for his existing RCA contract. Mary refers to Harry as “my hero”. Paul requested something just for Mary, and Harry sent ‘The Puppy Song’. Paul double-tracked Mary’s vocals and her version proved popular at Apple, and almost became her second UK single, eventually losing out to a new song of Paul’s, also especially written. This was ‘Goodbye‘, an upbeat sure-fire hit featuring Paul slapping his thighs for percussion.

From the liner notes of the 2010 reissue of “Post Card

The Puppy Song was written for me by Nilsson, and again it’s nice to do because it’s got a brighter flavour. I met Nilsson after and he was very charming. But I don’t really know him.

Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969
From Jesse Tedesci sur Twitter : Letter from Paul to Harry Nilsson, asking to use one of his songs for Mary’s album

Last updated on February 22, 2023

Lyrics

Dreams are nothin' more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream
You wish to come true
Woo-oo, woo-oo

If only I could have a puppy
I'd call myself so very lucky
Just to have some company
To share a cup of tea with me

I'd take that puppy ev'rywhere
La-la, la-la, I wouldn't care
But we would stay away from crowds
And signs that said "No dogs allowed"
Oh we, I'd know he'd never bite me, oh no
We would know he'd never bite me, oh no

If only I could have a friend
To stick with me until the end
To walk along beside the sea
And share a bit of moon with me

I'd take my friend most ev'rywhere
La-la, la-la, I wouldn't care
But we would stay away from crowds
And signs that said "No friends allowed"
Oh we, would be so happy together, oh yeah
We would be so happy to be

Dreams are nothin' more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream
You wish to come true
Wah-oo, wah-oo

Dreams are nothin' more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream
You wish to come true
Oo, oo-oo

Dreams are nothin' more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream
You wish to come true
Wah-oo, wah-oo

Dreams are nothing more than wishes

Variations


A Stereo version

A1 Mono version

A2010 2010 remaster

Officially appears on


Post Card (UK version - Mono)

LP • Released in 1969

2:42 • Studio versionA1 • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Producer
Ken Scott :
Engineering, Mixing engineer
Mary Hopkin :
Vocals

Session Recording:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK


Post Card (UK version - Stereo)

LP • Released in 1969

2:42 • Studio versionA • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Producer
Ken Scott :
Engineering, Mixing engineer
Mary Hopkin :
Vocals

Session Recording:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK


Post Card (US version)

LP • Released in 1969

2:42 • Studio versionA • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Producer
Ken Scott :
Engineering, Mixing engineer
Mary Hopkin :
Vocals

Session Recording:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK


Post Card (2010 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2010

2:42 • Studio versionA2010 • Stereo • 2010 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Producer
Ken Scott :
Engineering, Mixing engineer
Mary Hopkin :
Vocals
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Alex Wharton :
Remastering
Allan Rouse :
Project co-ordinator

Session Recording:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

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