The One Song Paul McCartney Thinks Defined His Songwriting Legacy: “It Says a Lot”

Paul McCartney’s songwriting catalog is as vast as it is celebrated. Few songwriters can boast such an impressive list of hits. Needless to say, picking one to beat them all is a tough task. However, McCartney did manage to single one song out: “Here, There and Everywhere.” Find out why he lauded this song in particular below.

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The One Song Paul McCartney Thinks Defined His Songwriting Legacy: “It Says A Lot”

To lead a better life
I need my love to be here

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with the wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there’s something there

“Here, There and Everywhere” sees McCartney revel in romantic devotion. McCartney–through his time with the Beatles and his solo career–has been no stranger to waxing poetic about a love interest. However, this song marries that affinity with strong sense of prosaic songwriting. McCartney once named it his favorite track at his disposal.

“I’m often asked what my favorite song I’ve ever written is and I don’t ever really want to answer it,” McCartney once said. “But when pushed I’d go to ‘Here, There And Everywhere.’”

What entices McCartney about this track is his lyricism. Even to him, his songwriting chops are dumbfounding.

“I look at those kinds of lyrics now and think, where did that come from,” he added. “What was I thinking of – the queen, waving out of a royal carriage or just my love [who] can just do it by hardly doing anything… it says a lot in a line.”

We have to agree with McCartney here. Though the competition is stiff, “Here, There and Everywhere” is a clear standout. Few Beatles songs are as gushing as this one. But, McCartney’s lyrics ground this track enough to keep it from being overly sympathetic. Revisit this track, below.

There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking, but she doesn’t know he’s there

I want her everywhere
And if she’s beside me, I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I’m always there

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