In 1981, shortly after John Lennon passed away, Paul and Linda McCartney invited legendary rockabilly musician Carl Perkins to stay with them on the island of Montserrat, where producer George Martin had a studio. Paul sought Carl’s help in recording a song called “Get It” for his new “Tug of War” album.
It was just weeks after John’s murder, and both George Harrison and Ringo Starr came to spend time with their former bandmate.
The night before Carl was scheduled to leave, a song came to him that encapsulated his warm feelings about the visit. The song was so vivid in his mind that he didn’t even write it down, which was unusual for him.

The next morning, Carl played the song, “My Old Friend,” for Paul and Linda, explaining that it was a gift to thank them for their hospitality. Halfway through the song, when Carl sang the words, “if we never meet again this side of life, in a little while, over yonder, where there’s peace and quiet, my old friend, won’t you think about me every now and then?” Paul stood up and abruptly left the room, tears streaming down his face. Unsure of what had just happened, Carl stopped playing. Linda hugged him, thanking him for helping Paul grieve. She explained that Paul hadn’t been able to fully break down since John passed. Paul later explained that the last words John spoke to him in the hallway of the Dakota building were, “think about me now and then, old friend.”