Draft:Despite Repeated Warnings

"Despite Repeated Warnings" is a song by the English musician and former Beatles bassist Paul McCartney from his 2018 album Egypt Station.

"Despite Repeated Warnings"
Song by Paul McCartney
from the album Egypt Station
Released7 September 2018
GenreRock
Length6:58
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Paul McCartney

Background

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McCartney talked about the background of the song in his book The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present: "There was a president named Trump who thought that climate change was a hoax" he goes on to state "Sadly, he was not the only one to ignore this existential threat. I recall reading a newspaper article in Japan that stated, 'Nobody’s doing anything about it, despite repeated warnings.' I liked that phrase."[1] McCartney said during a BBC Newbeat interview "Particularly when you've got someone like Trump who says that it [climate change] is just a hoax." McCartney continued: "a lot of people like myself think that's just madness so it's maybe a good time now to try and focus people's attention and say 'look, forget about him we can do something.'"[2]

Recording

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The recording took place at Henson Studios, Hogg Hill Mill and Abbey Road Studios.[1]

Lyrics

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The lyrics talk about people denying climate change. The "mad captain" mentioned in the lyrics is Donald Trump, as confirmed by McCartney in another BBC interview.[3]

Reception

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Showbiz Cheat Sheet said the song was a "criticism of the lackadaisical approach that politicians worldwide have shown toward addressing environmental issues."[4]

Legacy

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McCartney put the song in his Sticking Out Of My Back Pocket Spotify playlist for October 2021.[5]

Personnel

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According to the official Egypt Station website:[6]

Paul McCartney Band

Additional Personnel

  • Greg Kurstin – Piano, Harpsichord, Moog synths, Drums and Percussion Programming

Orchestra

  • Everton Nelson – 1st Violin (String quartet)
  • John Metcalfe – 1st Viola (String quartet)
  • Bruce White – 2nd Viola (String quartet)
  • Ian Burdge – Cello (String quartet)
  • Caroline Campbell, Mario De Leon, Peter Kent, Songa Lee, Natalie Leggett, Robin Olson, Katia Popov, Michele Richards, Kathleen Sloan, Tereza Stanislav, Marcy Vaj, Josefina Vergara, Amy Wickman, John Wittenberg – Violins
  • Darrin McCann, Matt Funes, Andrew Duckles, Kate Reddish, Rob Brophy – Violas
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, Jodi Burnett, Richard Dodd, Rudy Stein – Celli
  • Gayle Levant Richards, Marcia Dickstein – Harps
  • Dan Higgins, Stuart Clark, Joshua Ranz, Philip O’Connor – Bflat Clarinets
  • Ralph Williams – Contrabass clarinet in B Flat
  • James Hovorka, Kye Palmer, Miguel Guerrero – Trumpets
  • Doug Tornquist – Tuba

Muscles Shoals Horns

  • Doug Moffet – Tenor Sax
  • Steve Herrman – Trumpet
  • Tom ‘Bones’ Malone – Trumpet
  • Charles Rose – Trombone
  • Jim Hoke – Baritone Sax

References

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  1. ^ a b McCartney, Paul; Muldoon, Paul (2023-11-07). The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present. Liveright Publishing. ISBN 978-1-324-09468-5.
  2. ^ "Sir Paul McCartney: President Trump's resistance to climate change is madness". 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  3. ^ "Paul McCartney on handling crowds, and why he calls Donald Trump 'the mad captain'". 2018-09-12. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  4. ^ Tanenbaum, Ross (2023-02-23). "5 Times Paul McCartney Voiced His Politics in His Music". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  5. ^ "Sticking Out Of My Back Pocket - October 2021". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  6. ^ "Despite Repeated Warnings". Paul McCartney - Egypt Station. Retrieved 2024-06-30.