“Here Today”: Paul McCartney’s Heartfelt Tribute to John Lennon Following His Tragic Death in 1980 and the Song That Captured a Lifetime of Love, Loss, and Unspoken Words Between Two Beatles
When John Lennon was tragically killed on December 8, 1980, the world fell into collective mourning. One of the most iconic and visionary artists of the 20th century had been silenced, and the loss was deeply felt across generations, cultures, and continents. For millions, Lennon represented peace, rebellion, imagination, and hope — and for one man in particular, he was much more than just a musical legend. Paul McCartney had not only shared the stage with John Lennon, but also shared his youth, his dreams, his creative highs and lows, and decades of unbreakable emotional connection. The sudden loss left Paul not only devastated but also unable to express everything he had long wished to say.
In 1982, Paul McCartney poured his sorrow, regret, and enduring love into a song titled “Here Today.” Featured on his album Tug of War, the song was a deeply personal tribute written in the form of a conversation he never got to have with Lennon. Set against a gentle string arrangement and hauntingly sincere vocals, “Here Today” is McCartney’s way of reconnecting with his old friend — imagining what he might say if Lennon were still alive, and unburdening the thoughts he carried since the shocking moment of his death. The lyrics reflect both love and vulnerability: “What about the night we cried, because there wasn’t any reason left to keep it all inside?” It’s a line that resonates with anyone who has lost someone suddenly — the heartbreak of unfinished conversations and unresolved emotions.
McCartney later revealed that he cried while writing the song. It was the only way he could articulate the mix of grief, affection, and lingering guilt over the complex nature of their friendship. Though the world often framed their relationship as competitive — the “Lennon vs. McCartney” narrative — the truth was far deeper. They were brothers in art, bonded by something no one else could truly understand: the experience of being Beatles together.
Over the years, “Here Today” has become a staple in McCartney’s live performances, often introduced with a few soft words about John, bringing audiences to tears as they remember the man who changed music forever. The song stands as one of the most poignant examples of how grief can be transformed into art — a letter across time, not just from Paul to John, but from every person who has ever longed to say “I love you” one more time.
In “Here Today,” Paul McCartney gave the world a quiet but powerful reminder: even when someone is gone, love doesn’t die. It lives in words, in melodies, and in memory — always here today.