Winter Bird

Written by Paul McCartney Instrumental

Album This song officially appears on the McCartney III Official album.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 2020
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 2020 (Paul McCartney was 78 years old)

Song facts

Winter Bird” is a track from 2020 album “McCartney III“. This 25-second-long instrumental was conceived as an intro to the latest song of the album, “When Winter Comes“. It also evolves into a longer track, “Long Tailed Winter Bird“, which became the album opener.

From the “McCartney III” press release:

Recorded earlier this year in Sussex, McCartney III is mostly built from live takes of Paul on vocals and guitar or piano, overdubbing his bass playing, drumming, etc. atop that foundation. The process first sparked when Paul returned to an unreleased track from the early 90s, ’When Winter Comes’ (co-produced by George Martin). Paul crafted a new passage for the song, giving rise to album opener ’Long Tailed Winter Bird’ — while ’When Winter Comes’, featuring its new 2020 intro ’Winter Bird’, became the new album’s grand finale. 

From Universal Music – Calling all musicians – McCartney III is almost here! Teasers are popping up in cities across the globe, sharing excerpts of the sheet music from each song.We would love to see your takes on each song. Join in the fun by recording your own version! – In Rio

Last updated on December 21, 2020

Officially appears on


McCartney III (Test pressing)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Deluxe Edition Blue Cover CD)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Deluxe Edition Red Cover CD)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Deluxe Edition White Cover CD)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Deluxe Edition Yellow Cover CD)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Deluxe Digital Album)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Japanese edition - Limited release)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Smoky Tint Cassette)

Cassette • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

McCartney III (Green cover, CD)

Official album • Released in 2020

0:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Recorder, Vocals
Keith Smith :
Assistant engineer
Steve Orchard :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

Session Recording:
April - June 2020 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Latest concerts where Winter Bird has been played

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

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