"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 "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:48 "Riding Into Jaipur" – 4:08
CD single "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:49 "From a Lover to a Friend" (David Kahne Remix 1) – 3:44 "From a Lover to a Friend" (David Kahne Remix 2) – 5:27
Cassette single "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:48 "Riding Into Jaipur" – 4:08 "From a Lover to a Friend" (David Kahne Remix 2) – 5:27
Personnel According to The Paul McCartney Project: Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, piano Rusty Anderson – 12-string electric guitar Gabe Dixon – piano Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums
Charts Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "From a Lover to a Friend" Chart (2001) Peakposition
Year-end charts +2001 year-end chart performance for "From a Lover to a Friend"Chart (2001)PositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)102 +2002 year-end chart performance for "From a Lover to a Friend"Chart (2002)Position Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)120
Notes
External links From a Lover to a Friend on Amazon.com Release information