Song Of The Week - Two Of Us

[Dcazz]

We knew as early as the fall of 1969 that The Beatles had broken up.  I remember reading Paul McCartney's interview in a November 1969 issue of LIFE magazine where he confirmed their breakup.

That's the article that first clued me in to any problems!

[blmeanie]

I love that in the early electric version John and Paul share 3 or 4 sincere "fun" moments between them.  Despite the ill feelings at that point, there was enough still under the covers to fall back into the good parts of the relationship "by accident".

[Hello Goodbye]

I love that in the early electric version John and Paul share 3 or 4 sincere "fun" moments between them.  Despite the ill feelings at that point, there was enough still under the covers to fall back into the good parts of the relationship "by accident".

Right.  For a brief moment there they were a band, playing and goofing around like they did before they were fab.  They were having fun!

[Casbah]

I wish they had made a full and proper rocking version of this, even as an outtake. A lot of times I find myself preferring the original intent over the polished version, even though this IS a very good song in its own right.  Hey we have multiple Revolution's, right?  glassesslip


I always thought the song was about 2 people, not anyone in particular. Coming from a songwriting point of view, sometimes you just think of events that might happen in someones life. Most likely, it's Paul and Linda but, perhaps reaching for or thinking of a line, McCartney might think of an event or an idea from his past, like the "You and I have memories" line.

So it might be a little of both.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

I always thought the song was about 2 people, not anyone in particular. Coming from a songwriting point of view, sometimes you just think of events that might happen in someones life. Most likely, it's Paul and Linda but, perhaps reaching for or thinking of a line, McCartney might think of an event or an idea from his past, like the "You and I have memories" line.

So it might be a little of both.

I'm convinced since quite a long time ago that your own interpretation of a lyric is the one that really matters to you, beyond the original intention of the songwriter. As John said about himself, the artist is just a medium.

[Hello Goodbye]

For six years we looked forward to The Ed Sullivan Show to see The Beatles' latest releases.  This was their final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show...


The Beatles-Two Of Us (The Ed Sullivan Show March 01 1970)
1 March 1970


They looked tired...and they were going home.

[nimrod]

I'm convinced since quite a long time ago that your own interpretation of a lyric is the one that really matters to you, beyond the original intention of the songwriter. As John said about himself, the artist is just a medium.

Songwriters look for things to write songs about constantly...

John buys an poster with interesting words and writes 'Mr Kite'

Paul remembers going on Sunday drives with Linda to see if they can get lost, and writes a song about it

but for the listener it can be about whatever you want.

[Hello Goodbye]

for the listener it can be about whatever you want.

This thread illustrates that point:  http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/index.php?topic=5322.msg115511#msg115511

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

Songwriters look for things to write songs about constantly...

John buys an poster with interesting words and writes 'Mr Kite'

Paul remembers going on Sunday drives with Linda to see if they can get lost, and writes a song about it

but for the listener it can be about whatever you want.

Yes, I think so. I write songs too and something inspires me to start a lyric, but then the words come alone and complete it, perhaps with a different sense than the original intention. So I always think about the original inspiration when I think about my song, but I still know that it can be read in a different way.

One curious song for me is "Triad", written by David Crosby when he was with the Byrds. The song is really about polygamy, starting with the line "You want to know how it will be, me and her or you and me". But when I hear the version by Jefferson Airplane, sung by Grace Slick, she sings "You want to know how it will be, me and him or you and me"; it has a different meaning to me. I think about the "triad" formed by Woman-Man-Jesus in every Christian marriage.

[Hello Goodbye]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtUbhj45mCA#




Paul ultimately had his way...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDPc3fewcE8#

You better believe it