Talk:When I'm Sixty-Four

Untitled
I had heard that this song is more of a tribute by Paul McCartney to his father, and hearkens back to the big-band era of the 20's, but the person who wrote this claims it's about a couple growing old together or whatever. Who's right? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.208.119.23 (talk) 22:02, 24 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Stop, youre both right! Growing old together AND due to the time when it was written, would harken nostalgically back to the 1920's.. jazz foxtrot era.. much like 'Honey Pie' on the White Album: the chords and musical instruments used trigger? create the sound of a particular era. 76.218.248.127 (talk) 18:47, 13 March 2014 (UTC)

---

I'm pretty sure its for his father- read it in a number of places — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.42.218.19 (talk) 12:46, 20 April 2006 (UTC)


 * Myabe both. According to this article it was written before the beatles were famous, but in a interview at the time of "sgt pepper" came out McCartney himself said he wrote it about him and Linda and how he hoped she would take care of him when he was 64. So, thought he may have written it long before he met her, i don't doubt that the origanal version was probably very diffrent to the final cut. 64.12.116.68 18:22, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Actually, McCartney only met Eastman a couple weeks before the Sgt Pepper's launch party. So this is unlikely. JaymzSpyhunter 00:29, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

Lyric copyright infringement
I have removed the lyrics added to this page. Without permission from the copyright holder they are an infringement of the rights. Please do not add reproductions of lyrical material that are still in copyright.

Thanks,

Pepperstool 11:55, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

Jack Wild
Can someone please add jack wild to the Covers section, thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.197.60.2 (talk) 03:01, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Interesting Thought
Isn't it interesting that two of the four Beatles didn't even live til they were 64, but I don't think that's notable enough to put in the article. Invmog (talk) 01:18, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually, it's 3 of 6: Stu didn't make it either. As far as I know, Pete is still around. Wschart (talk) 02:19, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Number 64
Paul McCartney is also numbered 64, as seen on the numbering of individuals on the album cover. The black and white drawing. There is an external link called "Numbered list with graphical reference" here. Ponkatron (talk) 14:09, 15 April 2011 (UTC)

Discussion about the song
As a musician I often think of the first b-part as if some of lyrics is missing. The second b-part kicks of with the words "Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear" Is there a story behind this, that someone close to the story of the recording knows of it would be the right place to tell it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.80.157.64 (talk) 14:22, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

More bout the song... due to the fact that 'in the song's final verse, the clarinet is played in harmony with McCartney's vocal' and so a bit hard to hear, but behind all that is George? finger-picking the melody, Chet Akins style. 76.218.248.127 (talk) 18:26, 13 March 2014 (UTC)

Guitars
It says in Ian MacDonald's personnel that John is on lead guitar and George also played guitar, while other sources say that George didn't contribute any guitar to the song at all and again, there is a discrepancy about whether John or George or both were on guitars. Which account is correct? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.69.217.3 (talk) 04:42, 19 December 2017 (UTC)

People's reaction
Shouldn't it be notable that when Paul turned 64 himself a few years ago, people from all over the world sent him thousands of bottles of wine in relation to the lyrics? --37.83.72.233 (talk) 10:56, 15 August 2013 (UTC)

What's unique
The (only?) exceptionally interesting and amazing thing about this song, that we all reacted to when it came out, is the 1930s-1940s style of it, inconceivable in those days. Remarkable that there is nothing about that or that reaction in this article. --SergeWoodzing (talk) 00:56, 5 June 2017 (UTC)
 * It's your opinion that the "(only?) exceptionally interesting and amazing thing about this song ... is the 1930s-1940s style of it" (an opinion with which many would disagree), so we need reliable sources to put that in the article. Note also that others songs performed by the Beatles and others in the sixties were either written in the 30s-40s or written in that style, among them Bésame Mucho, Till There Was You, True Love Ways, Honey Pie ... the list could go on. Sundayclose (talk) 01:43, 5 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Don't know if you experienced world reaction to this song created by the Beatles when it came out, as I did, or if you're only trying to put me down and find fault with what I wrote (as in your giving 4 examples of songs they've done but did not create themselves). If we ever find a reliable source (I'm not a newbie & always honor that important rule) re: the reaction to the song when it came out, perhaps what I tried to bring up in good faith will be in there. Let's hope! Right now there's nothing on reaction. --SergeWoodzing (talk) 02:17, 5 June 2017 (UTC)
 * I'm 67 years old and, yes, I did experience it fully when it was released. I'm sorry, I thought you were seeking opinions, which is usually what talk page comments are intended for. And I'm sorry you misinterpreted my innocent good faith comments and became so defensive about a reaction to your comments as if you only want people to respond who agree with you completely. I clearly misinterpreted your intentions. And since there is no need for me to write anything else that you likely will overreact to, with one exception I'm no longer commenting here unless others weigh in. My last comment: If you'll dig into the vast storehouse of Beatles expertise that you apparently assume you have, you'll see that Honey Pie was written by someone very much affiliated with the Beatles. Happy editing. Sundayclose (talk) 20:14, 5 June 2017 (UTC)
 * You're type of wordy condescending sarcasm is what makes WP work so tedious sometimes, and it adds absolutely nothing (nothing) of any value to any discussion or article. On the contrary! If you're used to attacking people with this kind of snarkiness, I'm sorry, for you and for me. --SergeWoodzing (talk) 07:21, 6 June 2017 (UTC)

Composition
I'm puzzled by "others say". The composer is quoted, so why is any credence given to what anyone else says (concerning the name "McKenzie")? Are we saying Paul McCartney might not really know how he came to write the song?--Daveler16 (talk) 16:17, 30 December 2017 (UTC)

Clarinet players and the scope of this article
In an article for The Clarinet journal, John Reeks goes into detail on the background of the three clarinet players, none of whom have their own Wiki pages (Robert "Bob" Burns, Henry Mackay Mackenzie and Frank Reidy). Does it make sense to include some of their background on this page, or is that beyond the scope of this article?  Tkbrett  (✉) 14:18, 21 February 2021 (UTC)