"Riding To Vanity Fair" as written by and Paul Mccartney....
I bit my tongue
I never talked too much
I tried to be so strong
I did my best
I used the gentle touch
I've done it for so long
You put me down
But I can laugh it off
And act like nothing's wrong
But why pretend
I think I've heard enough
Of your familiar song
I tell you what I'm going to do
I'll try to take my mind off you
And now that you don't need my help
I'll use the time to think about myself
You're not aware
Of what you put me through
But now the feeling's gone
But I don't mind
Do what you have to do
You don't fool anyone
I'll tell you what I'm going to do
I'll take a different point of view
And now that you don't need my help
I'll use the time to think about myself
The definition of friendship
Apparently ought to be
Showing support for the one that you love
And I was open to friendship
But you didn't seem to have any to spare
While you were riding to Vanity Fair
There was a time
When every day was young
The sun would always shine
We sang along
When all the songs were sung
Believing every line
That's the trouble with friendship
For someone to feel it
It has to be real or it wouldn't be right
And I keep hoping for friendship
But I wouldn't dare to presume it was there
While you were riding to Vanity Fair
I never talked too much
I tried to be so strong
I did my best
I used the gentle touch
I've done it for so long
You put me down
But I can laugh it off
And act like nothing's wrong
But why pretend
I think I've heard enough
Of your familiar song
I tell you what I'm going to do
I'll try to take my mind off you
And now that you don't need my help
I'll use the time to think about myself
You're not aware
Of what you put me through
But now the feeling's gone
But I don't mind
Do what you have to do
You don't fool anyone
I'll tell you what I'm going to do
I'll take a different point of view
And now that you don't need my help
I'll use the time to think about myself
The definition of friendship
Apparently ought to be
Showing support for the one that you love
And I was open to friendship
But you didn't seem to have any to spare
While you were riding to Vanity Fair
There was a time
When every day was young
The sun would always shine
We sang along
When all the songs were sung
Believing every line
That's the trouble with friendship
For someone to feel it
It has to be real or it wouldn't be right
And I keep hoping for friendship
But I wouldn't dare to presume it was there
While you were riding to Vanity Fair
Lyrics submitted by Cherub Rock
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Riding to Vanity Fair would mean that the former friend became shallow, vain, gained vanity. I don't know if it's John - after all, Here Today says a very different thing. Paul could have met someone else who did these things in the 25+ years after Lennon's murder, couldn't he?
I don't think that it might be Heather, though. Would he be speaking of "friendship" in such a case? And I think that they were still together by the time he wrote this.
Anyway, this song is just plain amazing, and proof positive of Paul's multiple talents as a musician. Godrich's production is haunting, I love the use of the string section here, subdued and dramatic, that great glockenspiel bit notwithstanding!
One of my favorites from him.
But now the feeling's gone; But I don't mind; do what you have to do; you don't fool anyone"...this is about Heather. From a Lover to a Friend, is Paul talking to Nancy telling her to don't think of me as your lover, think of me as your friend...and "take your own advice..let me love again.." She was telling him to let go of Heather and love again, and he is telling Nancy the same thing. And "How Kind of You"...about Nancy.....I could go on and on, but I knew the whole story the whole time...it hit me immediately. Even on the Chaos album..."Magic"...that's about when he and Linda met at the "Bag O'Nails"...Linda was on her way out when Paul was on his way in..."if I hadn't stopped you, I'd always regret; a few minutes later, you'd been out that door." Paul is a true romantic and Foreignhand...I agree...don't these people know him by now?
But now the feeling's gone; But I don't mind; do what you have to do; you don't fool anyone"...this is about Heather. From a Lover to a Friend, is Paul talking to Nancy telling her to don't think of me as your lover, think of me as your friend...and "take your own advice..let me love again.." She was telling him to let go of Heather and love again, and he is telling Nancy the same thing. And "How Kind of You"...about Nancy.....I could go on and on, but I knew the whole story the whole time...it hit me immediately. Even on the Chaos album..."Magic"...that's about when he and Linda met at the "Bag O'Nails"...Linda was on her way out when Paul was on his way in..."if I hadn't stopped you, I'd always regret; a few minutes later, you'd been out that door." Paul is a true romantic and Foreignhand...I agree...don't these people know him by now?
"If you love me, won't you call me?
I've been waiting; waiting too long.
In my soul is constant yearning, Always singing; singing this song.
Only love is strong enough to take it on the chin; When did I begin to fall?
chorus:
Anyway, anyway, you can make that call.
You feel free to make yourself at home.
Aaaaaah; Ooooh.
If we could be closer longer, that would help me;
Help me so much.
We can cure each others' sorrow.
Won't you please, please, please get in touch?
If a love is strong enough it may never end.
Why would I pretend to fall?
Wooooh.
chorus
Any way, any way, any way at all
Any way that you can, make that call!"