Little Willow by Paul McCartney

Album: Flaming Pie (1997)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

McCartney wrote this about Ringo's first wife, Maureen, who died of cancer. Paul remained friends with Maureen and the children she had with Ringo. When she died, Paul wrote this to comfort the kids. Other related songs- "Hey Jude," which Paul wrote to comfort John Lennon's son, and "Get Back," where Paul says "thanks Mo" to Maureen at the end of the song. McCartney wrote in the liner notes to the album: "I wanted to somehow convey how much I thought of her. For her and her kids. It certainly is heartfelt, and I hope it will help a bit."
Paul talked about this song when he went on the Oprah show in 1997. They played the video for the first time on that show.
This was included on a tribute CD for Princess Diana, who died in 1997.
The Beatles often gave very entertaining answers to the constant questions they were asked by reporters. One day when John Lennon was asked how they got their name, he answered that a man on a flaming pie came to him in a vision and told him to name the group The Beatles. This is where McCartney got the idea for the album title.

Comments: 6

Paulo Pinheiro from BrazilMaureen Cox was a loyal "cavernite" who had an affair with Paul McCartney before becoming Ringo's girlfriend and later wife. She was there through all the ups and downs of those crazy years, which certainly created a bond. That song is a very emotional and delicate honor to her, who passed away too soon.
Olivia from Philadelphia, PaThis song is beautiful :)
Beth from Georgetown, InAwesome, sweet song that makes me choke up; waiting for Sir Paul's effort to set these types of emotions down to music are well worth the time it takes him to process the actual feelings. This is one of my top 5 favorite post-Beatles songs from incredible Paulie. By the way, Ken from Louisville, your comments are always so very helpful to me; I also happen to live in Kentuckiana, and am a Louisville native!
Ken from Louisville, KyPaul also wrote this song to comfort Ringo. Ringo and Maureen parted as freinds when they divorced and were on good terms. Ringo was very saddeded at her death.
Luna from London, Englanddid ringo ever comment on this song??
Jim from Cypress, CaIt takes Paul a long time to write about those types of feelings, and he usually does it in a very obscure way, like "Here Today." Run Devil Run was the first album created after Linda's passing, then Driving Rain...

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Teen Spirit was a kind of deodorant marketed to young girls. That's where Kurt Cobain got the title "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Down UnderMen at Work

Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.

China GroveThe Doobie Brothers

There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Do You Want To DanceBobby Freeman

Bobby Freeman's '50s hit "Do You Want To Dance" was also a Hot 100 hit for Del Shannon, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, Bette Midler and the Ramones.

Beautiful LoserBob Seger

Bob Seger's song "Beautiful Loser" was inspired by book Leonard Cohen published in 1966 called Beautiful Losers.