From a Lover to a Friend


"From a Lover to a Friend" is a song by Paul McCartney, featured on his 2001 album Driving Rain. It was released as a single and spent two weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #45. It also reached #6 on the Canadian Singles Chart. In the U.S. it became the b-side to his single "Freedom" and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Critics saw the song as a ballad in which McCartney tries to come to terms with the death of his wife Linda, singing "let me love again"; McCartney, however, was less certain whom the song was about in an interview on Howard Stern's radio show. The Guardian called it a "masterpiece... so delicate and honest that it sounds pretty much perfect."
"From a Lover to a Friend" was recorded on 27 February 2001 with Paul playing bass and piano, Abe Laboriel, Jr. playing drums, Rusty Anderson on 12-string electric guitar, and Gabe Dixon on piano.

Track listings

7" single
  1. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:48
  2. "Riding Into Jaipur" – 4:08
CD single
  1. "From a Lover to a Friend"– 3:49
  2. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:44
  3. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 5:27
Cassette single
  1. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:48
  2. "Riding Into Jaipur" – 4:08
  3. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 5:27

Personnel

According to the Paul McCartney Project:

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Canada 120