Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles
⚬⚬⚬⚬

Released in 2005

Anyway

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on January 17, 2021

Album This song officially appears on the Chaos and Creation in the Backyard Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2005

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 2004, when Paul McCartney was 62 years old)

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interviews

“Anyway” is a track from Paul McCartney’s 2005 album “Chaos And Creation In The Backyard“. From an interview of Paul McCartney by Gary Crowley:

(Sings) ‘Anyway, anyway,’ yeah, it started off as the (sings) ‘If you need me,’ the little verse thing, (sings) ‘won’t you call me?’ which is just about, ‘If you love me will you call me?’ And  then, you know, it was going quite straightforward and for some reason I was getting this feeling, again, why do you get these feelings?  I don’t know, but I was getting this feeling as if it was the deep south of America, like Charlestown, Savannah, something about the chords, I think.  There was just something reminding me, almost sort of Randy Newman kind of thing, I thought I was doing.  As always it turns out nothing like him but at the time I think I’m doing this thing, so that was going on.  Then I got these other chords that sort of happen half way through the verse which were Oooh, really sort of started to inspire me then.  (Sings) ‘Only love is strong enough to take it on the chin,’ and that started to move it into a slightly other area which then led up to this, (sings) ‘Anyway, anyway, you can make that call.’  So then it was written and took it, recorded it in Los Angeles and then got our string arranger out there, we use two string people, one’s David Campbell, happens to be Beck’s dad, or Beck happens to be his son, and then we use a guy, Joby Talbot, over here who’s very good too, he’s our English guy, and took it to David and we did a little string arrangement on it and so that kind of sewed it all up, you know, and it was sort of a ballad Anyway.

Paul McCartney – from 2005 UK promotional-only interview CD, recorded July 2005 at Air Studios in London

Paul McCartney in "Conversations With McCartney", by Paul Du Noyer:

‘Anyway’ was a little song that became a bigger song. The thoughts in it are quite little, but somehow when you set it down as a song it becomes bigger. And those kind of surprises are what I do music for.

Lyrics

If you love me, won't you call me

I've been waiting, waiting too long

In my soul is constant yearning

Always singing, singing this song

Only love is strong enough

To take it on the chin

When did I begin, to fall

Anyway, Anyway

You can make, that call

You feel free, to make yourself at home

If we could be, closer longer

That would help me, help me so much

We can cure each other's sorrow

Won't you please, please, please get in touch

If a love is strong enough, it may never end

Why would I pretend, to fall

Anyway, Anyway

You can make, that call

You feel free, to make yourself at home

Anyway, Anyway

Anyway, at all

Anyway that you can make that call

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

“Anyway” has been played in 3 concerts and 1 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where “Anyway” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Aidan Taylor • 3 months ago

Love this website but have one number in my collection (Anyway), on The Piano Room 2019 album. Possibly from the same session as Lady Madonna which appeared on the first Piano Room CD.

The PaulMcCartney Project • 3 months ago

Thanks Aidan, I'm not familiar with "The Piano Room" 2019 album. Thanks.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.