Draft:Man We Was Lonely

"Man We Was Lonely" is a song by the English musician and former Beatles bassist and vocalist Paul McCartney from his self titled debut solo album.

Background
McCartney said in a conversation with Du Noyer: "That was the truth. It had been a heavy, difficult period, but meeting Linda and starting a family was the escape. I'd see there was life out there. And little things, like I would get our own Christmas tree, instead of the office ordering it. We rebelled against that: “You know what? There’s a guy on the corner, he’s got dozens of them, let’s just go and we'll carry it home. The whole spirit was that escape. I Said 'How the hell am I ever going to get out of these heavy meetings?’ And it was, ‘Well, don’t go’ Ching! Brilliant plan! Boycott them. That was like The Idea Of The Century. We did that, so they had to ring us up: [moaning voice] ‘Oh, we're going to have a meeting, what’s your decision?’ “No. Or whatever. ‘Yeah, go with that’ We just escaped, got out of Dodge, went and enjoyed life. Because, Christ, I’d worked like a devil with the Beatles for all those years, and it didn’t appear like there was going to be any happiness at the end of it. So, suddenly I found it, and grabbed it. The album was my escape. We made it in the front parlour. Get home, new baby, it was that joy, it transforms your life. I hadn’t had a baby before — we had Heather from Linda’s first marriage — so home was great joy and solace for me." According to Far Out Magazine. Officially written after The Beatles acrimonious split in 1970, but likely composed earlier, the track acts as a sort of diary entry, conveying the bitter mood of McCartney’s bandmates and the simmering tension between them at the time.

Writing
In the book The Beatles: Off The Record 2 - The Dream is Over, McCartney explained that: “The chorus, "Man We Was Lonely', was written in bed at home shortly before we finished recording the album. The middle, 'I used to ride', was done one lunchtime in a great hurry, as we were due to record the song in half an hour." McCartney had written “Man We Was Lonely” as a goodbye to The Beatles, which he had gained fame as the bassist.

Lyrics
The lyrics talk about he and Linda's self-exposed exile that was not as idyllic as it outwardly seemed, that their spirits were low, but, under the blanket of domesticity, that their positivity was returning.

Recording
McCartney envisioned himself as Johnny Cash when he recorded it, as he envisioned himself as Ray Charles when he recorded She's a Woman.

Personnel
According to the Paul McCartney Project:


 * Paul McCartney – acoustic guitar, backing vocals, bass, drums, electric guitar, percussion, vocals
 * Linda McCartney – backing vocals, vocals

Producing


 * Paul McCartney – producer
 * Phil McDonald – recording engineer, mixing engineer

Covers
The song has been covered by Davy Jones, Design and World Party.