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Written in 1995

Hiroshima Sky Is Always Blue

Written by Yoko Ono • Unreleased song

Last updated on August 21, 2020

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1995, when Paul McCartney was 53 years old)

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

From Daily News, August 6, 1995:

Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono have officially buried the hatchet they’ve collaborated on a song to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima. “Hiroshima Sky Is Always Blue” will be broadcast on Japanese television tomorrow on the 50th anniversary of the atomic bomb explosion, a spokeswoman for Japan’s NHK public television said yesterday. The song ends a three-decade feud between the ex-Beatle and John Lennon’s Japanese-born widow, who has been blamed for breaking up the most famous pop group ever. Adding to the spirit of reconciliation, the song was recorded with both Lennon and McCartney’s children. Though McCartney is one of the world’s most famous songwriters, “Hiroshima Sky” was written by Ono. The song was taped in a secret Jan. 28 recording session when Ono and Sean Lennon her son with John spent a weekend at McCartney’s house outside London. McCartney showed them around his private studio and suggested recording a song together. Ono told him about a song she had written from her memories of World War II Japan, when she saw newspaper photographs of bomb victims suffering from burns and leukemia. Ono sang and Sean played the harpsichord his father used on the song “Julia” on the Beatles’ “White Album.

McCartney’s wife, Linda, played the organ, their son James played guitar and their daughters did the percussion. McCartney played bass not the sort everyone remembers from the Beatles, but an upright model used by one of Elvis Presley’s bassists.

Bootlegs

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Paul McCartney writing

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Josie • 2 years ago

Hey legend! Great work you are doing.

Just noticed this:

[Ono sang and Sean played the harpsichord his father used on the song “Julia” on the Beatles’ “White Album]

I’m pretty sure there’s no harpsichord in “Julia”. Have read an other source that says it’s “Because” which makes more sense to me.

Anyway, great job.

Andrea • 1 month ago

I don't think it was officially released in 1995 as stated here.

I know there was in 2011 a Yoko Ono book+CD sold exclusively in the Hiroshima museum, and the CD contains this song, but we don't even know if it's the same version recorded with the McCartneys, since there are no credits.

The PaulMcCartney Project • 1 month ago

Thanks Andrea - you're right, it's wrong to see it was officially released in 1995. I'm fixing this !

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