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Released in 1993

Peace In The Neighbourhood

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on June 15, 2019


Album This song officially appears on the Off The Ground Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1993

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interview

Peace In The Neighbourbood” is a track from 1993 album “Off The Ground“, and the second song of the album recorded (just after “Biker Like An Icon“):

‘Peace In The Neighbourhood’ is a rehearsal take. We were just kicking numbers around, so that the band would get to know how they went, and we just got a really nice casual take of ‘Peace In The Neighbourhood’. We thought later that we could make it a little bit more professional and did try a couple of times but never got the same vibe again. It was getting a little bit too stiff so we listened again to the rehearsal take and it was fine. I really love the drum sound on it.

Paul McCartney – From Club Sandwich 65 interview

Hamish Stuart – We went into the studio the day we were supposed to record it ‘properly’ and Julian Mendelsohn said to us, I don’t think you need to bother. He played the original rehearsal tape and it was all there. It had a nice looseness, little imperfections that actually feel good.

Paul McCartney – That take had such a good feel that we couldn’t improve on it, a beautiful slappin’ sound on the drums, real R&B.

Hamish Stuart – I kind of feel that from the ’60s on as the recording process evolved people started trying to make records perfect. And now the technology is there to make absolutely perfect. But I listen to that kind of music and it just goes right by me, I don’t hear any humanity in there, only machines, no character. I’d rather hear some string noise, mistakes, human beings sparking. We all love to play. Why should we give it up to technology?

Paul “Wix” Wickens – Robbie lets rip a bit at the end, though in a subdued style. Strapping a guitar on, ooing out there and doing it, that’s what he’s about, that’s when he’s at his best.

Robbie McIntosh – That was a good one for me, that guitar outro. We were rehearsing, arsing about really, so I wasn’t thinking, Woo, I’ve got the chance to show off now! It was aimless in a way and yet it ended up sounding quite nice.”

From the “New World Tour” tour book

Funny anecdote :

The dialogue heard during the track was a conversation between engineers Keith Smith and Eddie Klein about Britain’s Council Tax legislation

From Eight Arms To Hold You

Lyrics

Best thing I ever saw

Was a man who loved his wife

In a place where things were good

I felt peace in the neighbourhood


That feeling in the air

Something was definitely there

It was a time when things were good

I felt peace in the neighbourhood


I was there, I really was.

At the center of a love vibration.

People sharing with their friend.

Helping each other out

Peace in the neighbourhood

Helping each other out


Then I woke up from my dream

To see things as they really are

People struggling to survive

How can peace hope to stay alive?


Well I was there...I felt so good

At the center of a love vibration.

People caring for their world

Helping each other out.

Peace in the neighbourhood

Helping each other out.

Peace in the neighbourhood

Helping each other out.


Best thing I ever saw

I saw a man who loved his wife.


Peace in the neighbour hood

Helping each other out.

Peace in the neighbourhood

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Videos

Live performances

Peace In The Neighbourhood” has been played in 79 concerts and 3 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where “Peace In The Neighbourhood” has been played


Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

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