I wrote this song after going through a difficult period. Like people have, nothing sort of madly serious or anything but just one of those days when it’s like, ‘Oh my god, what am I doing wrong here?’ you know? And sometimes that’s a good way to write a song. Because it’s coming from your soul.
– Paul McCartney
I Don’t Know is a melancholic ballad from Paul McCartney. I liked its soft and restrained melody from the first time I heard it. You can really feel the sadness in his voice, and it shows he still has his natural gift for melody. Coming from a 76-year-old man who still has things to learn about life and himself, it shows humility and honesty. Listen to how he sings – it’s like an oval voice as if his mouth is almost towards circular and it’s really consuming. I haven’t really heard that singing before.
I Don’t Know is a very beautiful and tender song from the former member of The Beatles, revealing a side of him that, apart from his very early solo work, is rarely heard in his music. In fact, Paul said in an interview that John Lennon would have liked this song. It’s hard to see why not. It’s a real keeper.
The following was abridged from Wikipedia:
I Don’t Know comes from Paul McCartney’s 17th studio album – Egypt Station. It was released as a double A side single alongside Come On To Me. The hand-numbered vinyl was limited to 5,000 copies and was available at independent record stores around the world on 23 November 2018.
The track was recorded at Henson Studios in Los Angeles, with additional sessions recorded at Hog Hill Mill (Sussex) and Abbey Road Studios.
[Verse 1]
I got crows at my window, dogs at my door
I don’t think I can take anymore
What am I doing wrong?
I don’t know
[Verse 2]
My brother told me, “life’s not a pain”
But that was right when it started to rain
Where am I going wrong?
I don’t know
[Chorus]
But it’s alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
You’re fine, love of mine
You will feel no pain
[Verse 3]
Well, I see trouble at every turn
I’ve got so many lessons to learn
What am I doing wrong?
I don’t know
[Bridge 1]
Now what’s the matter with me?
Am I right? Am I wrong?
Now I started to see
I must try to be strong
[Verse 4]
I try to love you best as I can
But you know that I’m only a man
Why am I going wrong?
I don’t know
[Bridge 2]
Mmm, yeah, mmm
Oh, woah, woah, woah, mhmm
[Chorus]
But it’s alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
Yeah, you’re fine, little love of mine
You will feel no pain
[Verse 1]
I got crows at my window and dogs at my door
But I don’t think I can take anymore
What am I doing wrong?
I don’t know
[Outro]
Now what’s the matter with me? I don’t know, I don’t know
What’s the matter with me? I don’t know, I don’t know
What’s the matter with me? I don’t know, I don’t know
References:
1. I Don’t Know (Paul McCartney song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
That’s a lovely song, thanks for introducing me to it. The melancholy is right there in the opening piano. I don’t think I know the track, other than if I heard it when my sweety and I saw Paul play Winnipeg in 2018, one of only a few Canadian dates on his Freshen Up tour just following the release of this album. Fab show, and a rare big one for our city.
That’s wonderful you saw Paul in your home city and you found it fabulous. There must be a song listing of that concert. I imagine he would have played ‘I Don’t Know’ if his album Egyptian Station had come out prior to it in the same year. Cheers Steve.
That’s a very good suggestion; I always forget to search for the setlist! I thought I vaguely recalled him playing a song like it, but it doesn’t appear he did that night: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paul-mccartney/2018/bell-mts-place-winnipeg-mb-canada-23e92cd3.html
It was a poignant concert, as my family came from Liverpool and my mum had passed the year before so I was definitely looking up and thinking of them as we left the show. Plus it was just such a top-drawer concert, my first time seeing him.
And, to show how well ‘catalogued’ these are: I was impressed to find the first Bowie show I saw, whilst visiting family: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/david-bowie/1973/empire-theatre-liverpool-england-63d8264b.html
Paul performed a whopping 39 songs at your show! That’s a crazy amount for a then 76 year-old.
He performed ‘Come On To Me’ which accompanied ‘I Don’t Know’ on the double A release (8 September, 2018).
I can see how it would have been so poignant considering your Mother’s such recent passing and your family being from Liverpool. Thanks for sharing all this. It also gives the post a truly personal connection to Paul’s music.
Too bad the Bowie setlist was incomplete on that link. That would have been a fabulous show and way back in 1973 at the height of his Stardust fame – in your family’s home city no less. Gee wizz. Lucky you!
Yes, both concerts were terrific experiences as you’ve acknowledged and I felt fortunate both times. I’m glad to share those with you. As you’ve seen and pointed out, Paul’s show was a marathon effort, one he completed with apparent ease. Incredible.
I must have looked at another Bowie date that month at some point as, indeed, the list from that night was incomplete. And it’s funny how memories work: for the longest time I thought the show had opened with the then-new “Watch That Man” from ‘Aladdin Sane,’ but maybe it was the first after the intermission. I am certain he started with a Ziggy number, dramatically entering in the stylized spacesuit complementing the Japanese outfits he was favouring at the time. I don’t recall the Jacques Brel piece as an opener, though I didn’t know of his work then so maybe it didn’t land. The setlist does link to a live video I’ll have to spend some time with. (Serendipitously, my Thursday contributor Jerry profiled an English adaptation of a Brel song today.) Anyway, it’s a shame that my folks aren’t here to confab with and figure out the mystery (and to chat with on many other things, of course!).
Thanks for helping shake loose some treasures from the memory banks. Cheers mate.
I’m so glad this post has reunited you with such great memories, Steve. It’s been fascinating reading them. You’re far more across Bowie’s music than I am. You see, I’m a relatively latecomer to Bowie. From the small amount I heard in my youth, I wasn’t that taken by it. But as I’ve grown older —particularly over the last decade or so — I’ve become something of a newbie fan, and now I get what all the fuss was about and look forward to exploring more from him. If I could time travel, I’d pay to go see a whole concert just to hear that guitar riff in “Ziggy” haha.
With respect to McCartney, I’m afraid I remain more of a post-Beatles George and John fan. But of course, I can’t fault Paul and his wonderful contributions. I probably put that down to being more familiar with the former Beatles’ solo output. I like some of Ringo’s music too.
Well, this was a great diversion, my friend. Wishing you a fabulous Friday and weekend.
Well, there is sure a lot for you to sample from Bowie’s vast body of work. I’m not up on most of his stuff after 1983 or so, so you’re not alone.
Wishing you a fabulous Friday, as well, Matt!
I’ve just spent the last 2 hours sharing Bowie’s music with the mother of my kiddies. I’m probably more up on his stuff post 80’s like Modern Love and Lets Dance. You see where this has led to you ol’ son of a gun lol
Well, there’s certainly worse ways to spend your time! Enjoy, matey.