UK Release date : Monday, October 3, 1983
Say Say Say
By Paul McCartney • 12" Single • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney • Singles”
Last updated on May 3, 2020
UK Release date : Monday, October 3, 1983
By Paul McCartney • 12" Single • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney • Singles”
Last updated on May 3, 2020
Article October 1983 • Paul gives an interview for a British hospital radio station
Single Oct 03, 1983 • "Say Say Say / Ode To A Koala Bear" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Single Oct 03, 1983 • "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Article October 4 to October 7, 1983 • Filming of the "Say Say Say" promotional video
Album Oct 31, 1983 • "Pipes Of Peace" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Next single Dec 01, 1983 • "Paul McCartney's Theme From The Honorary Consul" by John Williams released in the UK
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
April 1982
Feb 15, 1983
Written by Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson
5:40 • Studio version • A1 • 12" Remix
Paul McCartney : Arrangement, Backing vocals, Electric guitar (?), Electric piano (?), Percussion (?), Synthesizers (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Michael Jackson : Backing vocals, Vocals Eric Stewart : Backing vocals George Martin : Arrangement, Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Jon Jacobs : Mixing engineer assistant, Recording engineer assistant Jerry Hey : Horns Nathan Watts : Bass Bill Wolfer : Keyboards, Synthesizers David Williams : Electric guitar Chris Smith : Harmonica Ricky Lawson : Drums Ernie Watts : Horns Gary E. Grant : Horns Gary Herbig : Horns John Benitez : Remixing
Session Recording: May 1981 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK ; Odyssey Studios, London, UK
Session Recording: April 1982 • Studio Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, USA ; Sigma Sound Studios, New York City, USA
Session Mixing: Feb 15, 1983 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson
7:00 • Studio version • A2 • Instrumental version
Paul McCartney : Arrangement, Electric guitar (?), Electric piano (?), Percussion (?), Synthesizers (?) George Martin : Arrangement, Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Jon Jacobs : Mixing engineer assistant, Recording engineer assistant Jerry Hey : Horns Nathan Watts : Bass Bill Wolfer : Keyboards, Synthesizers David Williams : Electric guitar Chris Smith : Harmonica Ricky Lawson : Drums Ernie Watts : Horns Gary E. Grant : Horns Gary Herbig : Horns John Benitez : Remixing
Session Recording: May 1981 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK ; Odyssey Studios, London, UK
Session Recording: April 1982 • Studio Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, USA ; Sigma Sound Studios, New York City, USA
Session Mixing: Feb 15, 1983 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
About this 12″:
Paul goes mod with ‘Say Say Say’, bringing in John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez to remix the song in vocal and instrumental versions (plenty of backing voices on the latter, though), clocking in at a combined 12 mins. 40 secs. ‘Ode To A Koala Bear (not on album) is the kind of good-humoured love song I thought people had forgotten how to write: lovely.
From Club Sandwich N°36, 1985
From The Beatles Monthly Book, N°91, November 1983:
The four-minute-long version of the song on the 7” is what you have been hearing on the radio; but to feel the full effect of a fine production by George Martin and remix by ‘Jellybean’ Benitez you should get a copy of the 12”. For a start, “Say Say Say” is nearly two minutes longer there; there’s the bonus of a seven-minute instrumental version on the
flipside, giving you the chance to play at being a Beatle for a day; and most important of all, the song leaps out of the speakers at you, with a depth of sound totally missing on the 7” take. […] The 12” also has extra instrumental breaks between the verses and the middle eight, and generally sounds much more like a fully-fledged disco dance classic than the rather more gentle 7”.
Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.
