The Puppy Song

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. David Cassidy released his version as a double A-side single with “Daydreamer”, which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1973.

Background

In 1968, Nilsson went to London to meet with members of The Beatles after John Lennon named Nilsson as his favorite American artist with both Lennon and Paul McCartney naming him their favorite group, and they requested a session with him. While in London, McCartney asked Nilsson to write a song for Mary Hopkin, a request to which Nilsson complied, working out the song on the piano and recording a demo that night. The song was sent to McCartney who thought it “perfect” for Hopkin. Hopkin recorded the song for her debut album Post Card.

Nilsson recorded the song himself later in the year. Nilsson’s version was a little slower than Hopkin’s, and was sung in the key of C rather than G. It was included in his album Harry released in 1969, and it served as the B-side to Nilsson’s single “Maybe” in the UK.

The song lyrics tell of a child longing for a puppy, and the opening lines of the song about dreams and wishes: “Dreams are nothin’ more than wishes / And a wish is just a dream you wish to come true”, became a theme for the album Harry. […]

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

Lyrics

Variations

• A Stereo version • From "Post Card (UK version - Stereo)"
• A1 Mono version • From "Post Card (UK version - Mono)"
• A2010 2010 remaster • From "Post Card (2010 remaster)"

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