Arrow Through Me

There are some songs that I just hadn’t heard literally since I recorded them. One was called Arrow Through Me. That is a kind of funky little thing.

Paul McCartney, 2016

“Arrow Through Me” is a track from “Back To The Egg“, the latest album by Wings released in 1979. From Wikipedia:

“Arrow Through Me“, unlike most songs on Back to the Egg, is more pop-oriented than rock-oriented. Ultimate Classic Rock contributor Nick DeRiso compared the keyboard bass line to those of Stevie Wonder and also praised the “inventive undulating polyrhythm” played by drummer Steve Holley. DeRiso rated “Arrow Right Through Me” to be Wings’ 8th greatest song.

It was the A-side of the second US single released from Back to the Egg and peaked at number 29. The B-side was “Old Siam, Sir“, which was the A-side of the first UK single.

The rumour that it inspired ABC’s 1982 hit “Poison Arrow” is false, although there are similarities in its music video to that of Wings’ “Goodnight Tonight“, released the same year.

The song was used with the opening credits of, and as a main melody line through, the 1980 movie Oh! Heavenly Dog, starring Chevy Chase, Jane Seymour and Benji. In 2010, neo-soul artist Erykah Badu sampled “Arrow Through Me” on an album track called “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” on her CD ‘New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh‘. It also appeared in the WKRP in Cincinnati episode “God Talks to Johnny” (1979).

From Club Sandwich N°16, 1979:

“Arrow Through Me” at the end of side one was next on the Agenda. This is the only song on the L.P. using a full band line up but without using a proper Bass or Bass guitar part. The format is drums, moog synthesizers, a clavinet and the Fender Rhodes electric Piano which assumes a Bass role. The brass was added to this track later in the year by Wings usual Horn section of Tony Dorsey, Steve Howard, Thadeus Richard and Howie Casey.

Mark Vigars

That’s a killer song and, I think, one of Paul’s most underrated compositions. It’s been forgotten because rock radio has only embraced the stuff that got the heavy airplay. I think it was Steve’s idea to do the double-speed drums. There are two drum parts – the regular drum part and the double-speed part. Of the Wings drummers, Steve Holly was the most classic English rocker of all. Denny Seiwell was a great drummer, but he was basically an American jazz drummer. Joe English was a American style drummer, too, whereas Steve, of all the drummers that Paul has worked with, was probably the one that played the least like Paul – and the least like Ringo. Paul has the tendency to choose drummers that play more like him, or more like Ringo. But Steve Holly stands out, because he comes from a different space.

Laurence Juber – 2012 interview for Something Else!

There are occasions in the recording process where tracks can be laid down with just a few players. “Arrow Through Me” is based on only a Fender Rhodes electric piano, and two drum tracks from Steve, one recorded with tape slowed down to half its normal speed and then played back normally. Some time later, we were overdubbing the horn section at Abbey Road in Studio 3 when Paul Simon stopped by and remarked on the great bass sound. He was shocked to learn that it was Paul’s left hand keyboard part. I’ve always enjoyed the understated harmonic sophistication of this tune and revisited it for my One Wing album.

Laurence Juber, in Guitar With Wings, 2014

Q: Was there anything when you went through the stuff that surprised you at what you did?

A: There are some songs that I just hadn’t heard literally since I recorded them. One was called Arrow Through Me. That is a kind of funky little thing. Interesting harmonies, interesting brass riff. As I say, something I recorded and then not listened to again.

Q: Was that from Back To The Egg?

A: You tell me! I am my worst analyst. I have no idea. I am terrible you know. I just recorded them and sort of move on.​

Paul McCartney in 2016, while promoting “Pure McCartney”

Arrow Through Me. Denny and I had the day off! No guitar at all.

Laurence Juber, from Club Sandwich N°14, April / May 1979

Lyrics

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Related film

Live performances

“Arrow Through Me” has been played in 18 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Arrow Through Me” has been played

Going further

Bill Cushing • 3 years ago

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