- Album This song officially appears on the McCartney II Official album.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
June - July 1979
Sep 11, 1979
Other singles from "McCartney II"
Officially appears on McCartney II
Officially appears on McCartney II
Related interviews
You Gave Me The Answer - Answering your ‘McCartney III’ questions
Dec 30, 2020 • From paulmccartney.com
Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) chat
Dec 23, 2020 • From Reddit
Paul McCartney on the Adam Buxton Podcast
Dec 11, 2020 • From The Adam Buxton Podcast
Check His Machine: Paul McCartney Interviewed On McCartney II
Jun 14, 2011 • From The Quietus
Interview with The Onion/A.V. Club
Jun 27, 2007 • From The Onion/A.V. Club
Paul McCartney exclusive interview
June 1997 • From Record Collector
Fab? If you say so, pop pickers
Apr 25, 1997 • From The Times
Winter 1994 • From Club Sandwich
Oct 01, 1980 • From Club Sandwich
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Waterfalls” is a Paul McCartney ballad from his first solo album after Wings, McCartney II. The song has a stripped-down sound, with McCartney only playing a Fender Rhodes electric piano and a synthesizer and singing. It was released as a single with “Check My Machine” as its B-Side and reached chart position #9 in the UK. In the US, however, it was his first single ever to miss the Billboard Hot 100 chart, only reaching number 106 despite being the follow-up to the number one hit “Coming Up“. In 2013, Rolling Stone Magazine rated it the #25 all-time Paul McCartney post-Beatles song, describing how it contrasted with Wings’ prior single.
When questioned on singles he wished were more successful, McCartney stated, “There’s quite a few, actually. … ‘Waterfalls’, I think is nice.” He also commented that TLC’s single “Waterfalls” carries elements of his song.
The only song that was written before I came to record was Waterfalls… Waterfalls could have been called ‘I Need Love’ but that would have been too ordinary. I just had this waterfalls and lakes idea, from the notices you see in American tourist resorts, and it stuck. Halfway through the album, making it all up as I went along, I got a bit bored. I had finished about eight tracks by then and I thought I would do something different. So I decided to do a song that was already written, a track left over from the last Wings album, and that was my favourite at the time. That’s why it’s included. The original lyrics were just working lyrics, gut lyrics, just spewed out. I thought I’d have to get serious and sensible and change them. Lyrics like that I don’t trust. But in time, I got to like them and I thought I should add electric piano and a distant string synthesizer like a mad Swiss orchestra on a mountaintop. And it worked! A lot of people have rung up about that one and said that it’s their favourite. So when you get such a good feeling, you think that perhaps it should be a single.
From unknown McCartney interview (and reported by The Beatles Bible):
Waterfalls is basically saying don’t go doing a load of dangerous stuff, ’cause I need you. And that’s a kind of more mature thought for me than I would have been able to have done 20 years ago, ’cause I just didn’t realise that it’s not all gonna be here for ever. That’s the kind of thing you realise when you pass 30.
Yeah, it was a “song”, I’d done it on piano. You see, in the early days of the synth, you were intrigued by the synth string sounds, and you thought they were good. You were later to discover that they weren’t! And now of course it’s coming back, retro, and people are going, I like that crappy old string sound. But at the time I thought, “This is enough, it doesn’t need any more, just do the chords”. I think, looking back, it probably would have been a bigger song if it had a better production, because it’s not a bad song.
Paul McCartney, from McCartney II Archive Collection, 2011
From The Beatles Bible:
[…] Two alternative versions of Waterfall were made for its release. A single edit was sent to radio stations, and the soundtrack to the video featured a longer electric piano introduction, but omitted an instrumental break and two choruses.
The promotional video was filmed in June 1980 and featured Olaf, a polar bear from Chipperfields Circus. Filming took place inside an aircraft hanger and involved more than a ton of polystyrene to give the appearance of snow.
Last updated on May 21, 2020
The book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present", published in 2021, covers Paul McCartney's early Liverpool days, the Beatles, Wings, and solo careers, by pairing the lyrics of 154 of his songs with first-person commentaries of the circumstances in which they were written, the people and places that inspired them, and what he thinks of them now.
"Waterfalls" is one of the 154 songs covered.
Lyrics
Don't go jumping waterfalls
Please keep to the lake
People who jump waterfalls
Sometimes can make mistakes
And I need love, yeah I need love
Like a second needs an hour
Like a raindrop needs a shower
Yeah I need love every minute of the day
And it wouldn't be the same
If you ever should decide to go away
And I need love, yeah I need love
Like a castle needs a tower
Like a garden needs a flower
Yeah I need love every minute of the day
And it wouldn't be the same
If you ever should decide to go away
Don't go chasing polar bears
In the great unknown
Some big friendly polar bear
Might want to take you home
And I need love, yeah I need love
Like a second needs an hour
Like a raindrop needs a shower
Yeah I need love every minute of the day
And it wouldn't be the same
If you ever should decide to go away
Don't run after motor cars
Please stay on the side
Someone's glossy motor car
Might take you for a ride
And I need love, yeah I need love
Like a castle needs a tower
Like a garden needs a flower
Yeah I need love, said I need love
Like a raindrop needs a shower
Like a second needs an hour
Every minute of the day
And it wouldn't be the same
If you ever should decide to go away
Don't go jumping waterfalls
Please keep to the lake
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1980
4:46 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 1980
4:46 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 1980
3:22 • Studio version • A1 • Short version - Promotional edit
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 1980
4:46 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1993
4:46 • Studio version • A1993 • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Official album • Released in 2001
3:25 • Studio version • A5 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Remastering
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Wingspan: Hits & History [CD Sampler]
Official album • Released in 2001
3:22 • Studio version • A5 • DJ Edit, a shorter edit of the album track, featured on the Wingspan album
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Wingspan Hits And History (US version)
Official album • Released in 2001
3:25 • Studio version • A5 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Remastering
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Wingspan Hits And History (Japanese version)
Official album • Released in 2001
3:25 • Studio version • A5 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Remastering
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
McCartney II - Archive Collection
Official album • Released in 2011
4:46 • Studio version • A2011 • 2011 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Simon Gibson :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Bootlegs
Unofficial album • Released in 2016
3:26 • Outtake • A1 • Stereo Promo Edit
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Unofficial album
3:46 • Studio version • A2 • Promotional video edit
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Unofficial album • Released in 2000
4:38 • Rough mix • A4
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
UK Singles Collection - Volume 02
Unofficial album • Released in 2007
4:46 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Vocals
- Eddie Klein :
- Mixing assistant
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
- Session Recording:
- June - July 1979
- Studio :
- Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Mixing:
- September 1979
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
Twin Freaks - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2015
0:38 • Studio version • [introduction]
Live performances
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
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