Album This song officially appears on the Post Card (UK version - Stereo) LP.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1969
Timeline This song was recorded in 1968
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
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
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
Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
LP • Released in 1969
2:42 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
SessionRecording : Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
LP • Released in 1969
2:42 • Studio version • A1 • Mono
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
SessionRecording : Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
LP • Released in 1969
2:42 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
SessionRecording : Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 2010
2:42 • Studio version • A2010 • 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
SessionRecording : Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
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