- Album This song officially appears on the Flowers In The Dirt Official album.
- Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1987 (Paul McCartney was 45 years old)
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Dec 29, 1986
Mar 18, 1987
Mar 19, 1987
May 18, 1988
"Flowers In The Dirt" sessions with Mitchell Froom & Neil Dorfsman
September - November 1988
Jan 23, 1989
Mixing "This One (Club Lovejoys Mix)"
Jul 25, 1989
Other singles from "Flowers In The Dirt"
Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt
Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt
Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt
Related interviews
Behind the Songs: Paul McCartney Shares Intimate Memories of Recording Flowers in the Dirt
Mar 24, 2017 • From People Music
Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.
Song facts
“This One” is a track from 1989 album “Flowers In The Dirt“.
From Wikipedia:
“This One” is a single from Paul McCartney’s 1989 album, Flowers in the Dirt. The song reached number 18 on the UK singles chart. It also reached number 8 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 in Austria, number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 in the Netherlands and number 40 on the Media Control Charts in Germany.
The single includes two songs recorded during the sessions for CHOBA B CCCP album: “I Wanna Cry” and “I’m In Love Again“. The later appeared in a slightly edited form than the version released on 1991 international edition of CHOBA B CCCP.
Like other songs from Flowers in the Dirt, despite the song’s modest chart success, to date it has not been included on any McCartney compilation album.
Reception
Allmusic called the song “lovely“. Rolling Stone opined:”This One,” likewise, extends its cute, lyrical conceit for too long and winds up taxing the listener’s patience“.
Track listings
This song was released as a 7″ single, a 12″ maxi-single, and a CD single. All songs written by Paul McCartney exept where noted
Paul McCartney in “Club Sandwich 52, Summer 1989“:
The song is basically a love song – did I ever say I love you? And if I didn’t it’s because I was waiting for a better moment… ‘There could never be a better moment than this one…’, and the words ‘this one’ kept coming back to me as ‘this swan’, and I got off on that… The image… was like one of those Hare Krishna posters that I used to see a lot in India…this little blue god…Krishna, who’s riding on this swan floating over this beauti-fully clear pond with lovely pink lilies on it. It’s a very spiritual, tranquil picture, and although I don’t subscribe to any particular religion, I draw on the nice moments from a lot of them.
Paul McCartney, in People Music, March 24, 2017:
“That’s completely silly wordplay. My dad was very into words and crosswords and things, and so was I at school. And then becoming a songwriter I was interested in wordplay. So when I heard someone say, ‘This one,’ I thought it could also be ‘this swan.’ I liked this image of a swan, like in Hindu art—Krishna and the swan gliding over water lilies. I was attracted to that image, so that’s what it became, using the two meanings of the word. And then the video by Tim Pope turned out that way, too.”
Last updated on April 29, 2021
Lyrics
Did I ever take you in my arms,
Look you in the eye, tell you that I do,
Did I ever open up my heart
Let you look inside.
If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.
The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A god is riding upon his back,
How calm the water and bright the rainbow
Fade this one to black.
Did I ever touch you on the cheek
Say that you were mine, thank you for the smile,
Did I ever knock upon your door
And try to get inside?
If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.
The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A god is riding upon his back,
How calm the water and bright the rainbow,
Fade this swan to black.
What opportunities did we allow to flow by
Feeling like the time it wasn't quite right?
What kind of magic might have worked if we had stayed calm,
Couldn't I have given you a better life?
Did you ever take me in your arms
Look me in the eye tell me that you do?
Did I ever open up my heart,
Let you look inside?
If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.
The swan is gliding above the ocean
A god is riding upon his back
How calm the water and bright the rainbow,
Fade this swan to black.
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1989
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
7" Single • Released in 1989
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
CD Single • Released in 1989
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
12" Single • Released in 1989
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
Figure Of Eight / This One (Club Lovejoys Mix)
12" Single • Released in 1989
6:10 • Studio version • B • Club Lovejoys Mix
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Mixing engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jul 25, 1989
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Flowers In The Dirt - Special Package
Official album • Released in 1990
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
Official live • Released in 1990
4:29 • Live • L1
- Performed by :
- Paul McCartney • Linda McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Chris Whitten
- Paul McCartney :
- Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Peter Henderson :
- Producer
- Bob Clearmountain :
- Mixing engineer, Producer
- Jeff Cohen :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Foster :
- Assistant engineer
- Scott Hull :
- Assistant engineer
- George Cowan :
- Assistant engineer
- Paul Rushbrook :
- Assistant engineer
Concert From the concert in Detroit, USA on Feb 01, 1990
Official album • Released in 1993
4:10 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Robbie McIntosh :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- Hamish Stuart :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Chris Whitten :
- Drums, Percussion
- Neil Dorfsman :
- Mixing engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Lance Phillips :
- Assistant engineer, Glasses
- Judd Lander :
- Harmonica
- Noel Harris :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- May 18, 1988
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
- Session Overdubs:
- September - November 1988
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Session Mixing:
- Jan 23, 1989
- Studio :
- Olympic Sound Studios, London
Download • Released in 2017
3:26 • Demo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass drum, Emulator 2, Harmony vocals, Lead vocal, Linn drum, Piano
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Dec 29, 1986
- Studio :
- Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Bootlegs
Unofficial live
5:05 • Live
Concert From the concert in Hamburg, Germany on Oct 03, 1989
Indianapolis IN February 15, 1990
Unofficial live
4:34 • Live
Concert From the concert in Indianapolis, USA on Feb 15, 1990
Live at The Ahoy, Rotterdam, Nov 7, 1989
Unofficial live
4:49 • Live
Concert From the concert in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Nov 07, 1989
Films
1989 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Tim Pope
1989 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Dean Chamberlain
Live performances
“This One” has been played in 107 concerts.
Latest concerts where This One has been played
Jul 29, 1990 • Part of The Paul McCartney World Tour
Foxboro • Sullivan Stadium • USA
Jul 26, 1990 • Part of The Paul McCartney World Tour
Foxboro • Sullivan Stadium • USA
Jul 24, 1990 • Part of The Paul McCartney World Tour
Raleigh • Carter-Finley Stadium • USA
Jul 22, 1990 • Part of The Paul McCartney World Tour
Cleveland • Cleveland Stadium • USA
Jul 20, 1990 • Part of The Paul McCartney World Tour
Going further
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989
With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.
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Hi!
Just a minor mistake to correct: The Club Lovejoys Mix's length is 6:10!
Thanks for noticing ! I have fixed this !