Only Love Remains / Tough On A Tightrope

Track list

Side 1

1. Only Love Remains

   Written by Paul McCartney

   4:11 • Studio version • A1 • Remix by Jim Boyer

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Classical guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals Eric Stewart : Acoustic guitar (?), Backing vocals Ray Cooper : Marimba, Shaker (?), Tambourine (?) Kate Robbins : Backing vocals Ruby James : Backing vocals Graham Ward : Drums Simon Chamberlain : Synth bass John Bradbury : Violin Hugh Padgham : Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer Jim Boyer : Remixing

   Session Recording: October 1st - December 6th 1985 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

   Session Mixing: April 14th-18th 1986 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

Side 2

1. Tough On A Tightrope

   Written by Paul McCartney, Eric Stewart

   4:44 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals Eric Stewart : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar Trevor Jones : Assistant engineer (?) Eddie Klein : Assistant engineer (?) Tony Clark : Assistant engineer (?) Matt Butler : Assistant engineer (?) Jon Kelly : Assistant engineer (?) Jerry Marotta : Congas (?), Drums Carlos Alomar : Electric guitar John Hammel : Assistant engineer (?) Matt Howe : Assistant engineer (?) Hugh Padgham : Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer Peter Mew : Assistant engineer (?) Haydn Bendall : Assistant engineer (?)

   Session Recording: March - May 1985 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

   Session Overdubs: October 1st - December 6th 1985 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

   Session Mixing: April 14th-18th 1986 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

From Club Sandwitch N°43, Winter 1986 / 1987:

For the cover of the new single “Only Love Remains”, it was Paul’s idea to have some children submit ideas based upon a heart. Art Director, Jo Mirowski, gathered a selection from friends and local schools. Paul’s selection, featured here, was drawn by Bartek Skoczek, aged 6, who hails from London. Bartek is oblivious of his current success, as he is living abroad with his parents at present. As well as being featured on the record cover, the heart illustration has been used in various forms on advertising, posters and sweatshirts.

From Wikipedia:

“Only Love Remains” is the fourth single from Paul McCartney’s 1986 album, Press to Play. The song reached number 34 on the UK singles chart.

Release

The song was released as a 7″ single and a 12″ maxi single. The single version of “Only Love Remains” is a remix by Jim Boyer and is different from the album version. The 12″ version of the single featured two more remixes of songs from Press to Play.

Track listings

7″ single (R 6148)

1. “Only Love Remains” – 4:11
   • Remix by Jim Boyer
2. “Tough on a Tightrope” – 4:44

12″ single (12R 6148)

1. “Only Love Remains” – 4:11
   • Remix by Jim Boyer
2. “Tough on a Tightrope” – 7:03
   • Remix by Julian Mendolssohn
3. “Talk More Talk” – 5:56
   • Remix by Paul McCartney and Jon Jacobs