Figure Of Eight

Written by Paul McCartney

Album This song officially appears on the Flowers In The Dirt Official album.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1989
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1988 (Paul McCartney was 46 years old)

Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions





Other singles from "Flowers In The Dirt"


My Brave Face

Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt


Put It There

Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt


This One

Officially appears on Flowers In The Dirt

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Song facts

From Wikipedia:

Figure of Eight” is a song from Paul McCartney’s 1989 album, Flowers in the Dirt. After the completion of the album, McCartney recorded a new version for single release, using his newly formed touring band. The single version is unusual in running nearly two minutes longer than the album version, rather than following the typical radio edit pattern of shortening the track for single release. Despite this quirk, the single reached number 42 on the UK singles chart and number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Like other songs from Flowers in the Dirt, despite the song’s modest chart success, to date it has not been included on any McCartney compilation album.

Figure of Eight” was the opening song throughout McCartney’s 1989–1990 world concert tour. A version recorded in Rotterdam on 10 November 1989 appeared on the live album from the tour, Tripping the Live Fantastic.

This song was released as a 7″ single, a 12″ maxi-single, and a CD single.

Paul McCartney in “Club Sandwich 52, Summer 1989“:

Very spontaneous, very rough; another two-day effort with Trevor…The vocal is live, which I like with all that rough-ness… There were certain con-ditions… that I put on them (Trevor and Steve Lipson). And… they made me do stuff that they hadn’t heard me do recently… it was great, I really enjoyed it.

Paul McCartney, in People Music, March 24, 2017:

“I liked the philosophy behind the lyrics of this song. I like the idea of not being caught in a figure of eight. Better to love than give in to hate, which now sounds to me like the U.S. elections.”

Last updated on January 4, 2023

Lyrics

(Well) you've got me dancing
In a figure of eight,
Don't know if I'm coming or going,
I'm early or late.
Round and round the ring I go,
I want to know, I want to know,
Why can't we travel a continuous line?
Make love reliable covenant all the time,
Up and down the hills I go.
I got to know, I got to know.

Is it better to love one another
Than to go for a walk in the dark?
Is it better to love than to give in to hate?
Yeah we'd better take good care of each other
Avoid slipping back off the straight and narrow,
It's better by far than getting stuck
In a figure of eight.

(Well) figure it out for yourself little girl,
It don't go nowhere at all,
It's nothing more than a tape loop
In a big dance hall.
You've got me running in a figure of eight,
Don't know if I'm coming or going,
I'm early or late,
(Well) round and round that little ring I go,
I want to know, I want to know

Is it better to love one another
Than to go for a walk in the dark?
Is it better to love than to give in to hate?
Yeah we'd better take good care of each other
Avoid slipping back off the straight and narrow,
It's better by far than getting stuck
In a figure of eight.

Variations


A

A2017 2017 remaster

B 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Officially appears on


Flowers In The Dirt

Official album • Released in 1989

3:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Neil Dorfsman :
Mixing engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Noel Harris :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
January 8, 1989
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

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


Figure of Eight

CD Single • Released in 1989

5:16 • Studio versionB • 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Remixing

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
Sep 14, 1989
Studio :
The Hit Factory, New York, USA

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


Figure Of Eight / This One (Club Lovejoys Mix)

12" Single • Released in 1989

5:16 • Studio versionB • 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Remixing

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
Sep 14, 1989
Studio :
The Hit Factory, New York, USA

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


Figure Of Eight / Ou Est Le Soleil?

12" Single • Released in 1989

5:16 • Studio versionB • 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Remixing

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
Sep 14, 1989
Studio :
The Hit Factory, New York, USA

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


Figure Of Eight

CD Single • Released in 1989

5:16 • Studio versionB • 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Remixing

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
Sep 14, 1989
Studio :
The Hit Factory, New York, USA

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


Paul McCartney ROCKS

Official album • Released in 1990

5:16 • Studio versionB • 12” Bob Clearmountain Mix

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Remixing

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
Sep 14, 1989
Studio :
The Hit Factory, New York, USA

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


Flowers In The Dirt - Special Package

Official album • Released in 1990

3:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Neil Dorfsman :
Mixing engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Noel Harris :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
January 8, 1989
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

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


Tripping The Live Fantastic

Official live • Released in 1990

5:33 • LiveL1

Performed by :
Paul McCartneyLinda McCartneyRobbie McIntoshHamish StuartPaul WickensChris Whitten
Paul McCartney :
Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Matt Butler :
Assistant engineer
Peter Henderson :
Producer
Bob Clearmountain :
Mixing engineer, Producer
Jeff Cohen :
Recording engineer
Geoff Foster :
Assistant engineer
Scott Hull :
Assistant engineer
George Cowan :
Assistant engineer
Paul Rushbrook :
Assistant engineer

Concert From the concert in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Nov 10, 1989


Flowers In The Dirt (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

3:25 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Neil Dorfsman :
Mixing engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Noel Harris :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
January 8, 1989
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

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


Flowers In The Dirt - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2017

3:25 • Studio versionA2017 • 2017 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Handclaps, Mini moog
Chris Whitten :
Drums, Handclaps
Eddie Klein :
Assistant engineer
Neil Dorfsman :
Mixing engineer
Steve Lipson :
Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer
Trevor Horn :
Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer
Noel Harris :
Assistant mixing engineer
Sam Okell :
Remastering
Alex Wharton :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Nov 09, 1987
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
November 1987 ?
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:
January 8, 1989
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

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


Films


Figure of Eight (version 1)

1989 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Andy Morahan


Figure of Eight (version 2)

1989 • For Paul McCartney


Figure of Eight (version 3)

1989 • For Paul McCartney

Live performances

“Figure Of Eight” has been played in 107 concerts and 5 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where Figure Of Eight has been played







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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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_of_Eight_(song)

Contribute!

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Mika Lintu 1 month ago

Hi!
There is also a Figure Of Eight (7" Version) which runs 4:05. it is edit of Bob Clearmountain 12"mix


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