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Released in 1998

I Got Up

Written by Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney

Last updated on August 19, 2024

Album This song officially appears on the Wide Prairie Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1998

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1973, when Paul McCartney was 31 years old)

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interview

From Wide Prairie liner notes:

During the Paris sessions in 1973 we recorded a backing track of one of Linda’s ideas. The song was completed many years later and the vocal finally added in 1998. Its gutsy feel is typical of her unwillingness to put up with other people’s bullshit. She hated words like “should” and “compromise”. For her, freedom to do what you want was a basic right.

Lyrics

Once I got fed up when you told me what to do

But still I did it, to myself I was untrue

But now I'm stronger, I can see a better way.

You better listen hard to what I have to say.

I've done it, I've won it, not running away

I got up, I got up, I got up

And I ain't going down again

I got up, I got up, I got up

And I ain't going down again

My friends have told me I was going down fast

They try to tell me not to live in the past

Now I can laugh because I know they were right

You dirty dog, your bark was worse than your bite

I've done it, I won it and here's what I say

I got up, I got up, I got up

And I ain't going down again, Yeah

It's good to know that I can set myself free

Anytime I want to I can be the real me

But now I'm telling you whatever I do

One thing is certain it will be without you

I've done it, I've won it, so be on your way

I got up, I got up, I got up

And I ain't going down again

You better believe it

I got up baby and I ain't going down

No matter what you say or do

Be on your way

Get out of here

Goodbye you dirty, dirty dog

Woof Woof

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Videos

Album Wide Prairie

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

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

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[…] I Got Up showed Linda’s strong opposition to oppression, then The Light took it a few steps further. […]

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