- Album This song officially appears on the Venus and Mars Official album.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Nov 11, 1974
Nov 13, 1974
Recording "Medicine Jar", "Call Me Back Again"
Feb 03, 1975
Mar 02, 1975
Mar 22, 1975
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Song facts
From Jimmy McCulloch – Facebook:
Medicine Jar was originally called ‘Itchy Fingers’ and dated back to the Stone the Crows era. Written by Colin Allen and Jimmy McCulloch, the first advanced version of the song was recorded in 1973 at a community center in London with Jimmy, Jack, Ronnie Leahy and Andy Fraser.
Read all about the origins of Medicine Jar in Little Wing: The Jimmy McCulloch Story.
Medicine Jar was born out of my frustration, caused by Jeanette’s constant use of Mandies. The song’s line I know how you feel now your friends are dead, related to friends who had died because of drugs.
Colin Allen – From “Little Wing : The Jimmy McCulloch Story“
Last updated on January 6, 2024
Lyrics
What's wrong with you?
I wish I knew
You say time will tell
I hope that’s true
There's more to life
Than blues and reds
I say, I know how you feel
now your friends are dead.
Dead on your feet
you won't get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.
Now don't give up
Whatever you do
You say time will tell
I hope that's true
If you go down and lose your head
I say, I know how you feel
now your friends are dead….
Dead on your feet
you won't get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.
Dead on your feet
you won't get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.
What can I do?
I can't let go
You say time will heal
but very slow
So don't forget the things you said
I say I know how you feel
Now your friends are dead.
Dead on your feet,
you won't go far
If you keep on sticking your hand
in the medicine jar.
Dead on your feet
you won't get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar…[Repeat]
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1975
3:38 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Organ
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Congas
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Britton :
- Drums
- Joe English :
- Backing vocals
- Alan O'Duffy :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
- Biff Dawes :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 13, 1974
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
- Studio :
- Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA
- Session Overdubs:
- Mar 02, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- Mar 22, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Official live • Released in 1976
4:06 • Live • L1
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Keyboard, Vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Keyboard, Vocals
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Joe English :
- Drums, Vocals
- Mark Vigars :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Phil McDonald :
- Mixing engineer, Overdubs recording
- Jack Maxson :
- Recording engineer
- Tom Walsh :
- Assistant recording engineer
Concert From the concert in Cincinnati, USA on May 27, 1976
Official album • Released in 1993
3:38 • Studio version • A1993 • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Organ
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Congas
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Britton :
- Drums
- Joe English :
- Backing vocals
- Alan O'Duffy :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
- Biff Dawes :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Peter Mew :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Nov 13, 1974
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
- Studio :
- Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA
- Session Overdubs:
- Mar 02, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- Mar 22, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Wings Over America - Archive Collection
Official live • Released in 2013
4:07 • Live • L1.2013 • 2013 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer, Vocals
- Linda McCartney :
- Keyboard, Vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Keyboard, Vocals
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Joe English :
- Drums, Vocals
- Mark Vigars :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Phil McDonald :
- Mixing engineer, Overdubs recording
- Jack Maxson :
- Recording engineer
- Tom Walsh :
- Assistant recording engineer
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Simon Gibson :
- Remastering
Concert From the concert in Cincinnati, USA on May 27, 1976
Venus And Mars - Archive Collection
Official album • Released in 2014
3:38 • Studio version • A2014
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Organ
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Congas
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Britton :
- Drums
- Joe English :
- Backing vocals
- Alan O'Duffy :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
- Biff Dawes :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 13, 1974
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
- Studio :
- Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA
- Session Overdubs:
- Mar 02, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- Mar 22, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Venus And Mars (Limited Red & Yellow LP)
Official album • Released in 2017
3:38 • Studio version • A2014
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Organ
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Congas
- Jimmy McCulloch :
- Electric guitar, Vocals
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Britton :
- Drums
- Joe English :
- Backing vocals
- Alan O'Duffy :
- Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
- Biff Dawes :
- Assistant mixing engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 13, 1974
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
- Studio :
- Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA
- Session Overdubs:
- Mar 02, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
- Session Mixing:
- Mar 22, 1975
- Studio :
- Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Bootlegs
Unofficial live
4:18 • Live
Concert From the concert in Los Angeles, USA on Jun 23, 1976
Unofficial live
3:16 • Live
Concert From the concert in Seattle, USA on Jun 10, 1976
Live performances
“Medicine Jar” has been played in 60 concerts.
Latest concerts where Medicine Jar has been played
London • Empire Pool • United Kingdom
Oct 21, 1976 • Part of Wings Over the World tour
London • Empire Pool • United Kingdom
Oct 20, 1976 • Part of Wings Over the World tour
London • Empire Pool • United Kingdom
Oct 19, 1976 • Part of Wings Over the World tour
Munich • Olympiahalle • Germany
Sep 27, 1976 • Part of Wings Over the World tour
Venice • Piazza San Marco • Italy
Sep 25, 1976 • Part of Wings Over the World tour
Going further
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989
With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.
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I have a strong memory of hearing this song done by the band Free in 1972 or 73, but can’t find any references.
Doesn't tell me anything Peter, I'm afraid