Queenie Eye

Album This song officially appears on the New Official album.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 2013
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 2012 (Paul McCartney was 70 years old)

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions




Other songs co-written with Paul Epworth


Save Us

Officially appears on New


Struggle

Officially appears on New (Japan Edition)


Road

Officially appears on New

Related interviews


Twitter Q&A

Oct 03, 2013 • From Twitter


Paul McCartney at 71: still here, there and everywhere

Oct 13, 2013 • From The Guardian

Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.

Song facts

Queenie Eye” is a track from the 2013 album “NEW“, co-written by Paul McCartney and producer Paul Epworth, one of the four producers of the album.

From Wikipedia:

Queenie Eye” is a song performed by English rock musician Paul McCartney, and written by McCartney and producer Paul Epworth. It is the second single from McCartney’s solo album New, released in 2013.

McCartney explained that the song name and chorus lyrics were from a children’s game he would play when he was young called “Queenie, Queenie, who’s got the ball?” (the “Queenie” was alternatively called “Queenie Eye” or “Queenio”), and used the version of the chant he remembered from the game in the song.

McCartney performed “Queenie Eye” on the 56th Annual Grammy Awards telecast in 2014, with fellow former Beatle Ringo Starr on drums.

The music video for the song was directed by Simon Aboud, husband of McCartney’s daughter Mary. The video is notable for the array of famous people that appear in it including: actors Johnny Depp, Jeremy Irons, Chris Pine, Jude Law, Sean Penn, actor-comedian James Corden, Meryl Streep, actress-comedian Tracey Ullman, model Kate Moss, singer Gary Barlow, artist Peter Blake, designer Tom Ford, and many others.

Now this song, Queenie Eye, is based on a game we used to play when I was kids. You got to remember that’s a long time ago and basically in kind of a poor area I was from. What you did you entertain yourself was go out in the street and play street games. There wasn’t that much traffic, so you were pretty safe. And one of the games was called Queenie Eye.

Paul McCartney

‘Queenie Eye, Queenie Eye, who’s got the ball? I haven’t got it, it isn’t in my pocket, O-U-T spells OUT!’ Someone stood with their back to the group and you had to approach gingerly, and if they looked around and saw you moving, you were out.

Paul McCartney – The Observer

I think that something like Queenie Eye developed into something that it wasn’t before. It had a slow genesis but I don’t think we would have been able to get to the result we got in the end without having done it that way. The way Queenie Eye started was very raw: two of us in the room, two amplifiers. It was maybe a little bit Death From Above 1979 in the drums and keyboard sounds.

Paul Epworth – NME, November 2013

Last updated on December 15, 2020

Lyrics

There were rules you never told me
Never came up with a plan
All the stories that you sold me
Didn’t help me understand
But I had to get it worked out
Had nobody who could help
So that in the end it turned out
That I had to do it by myself

Life’s a game
Rags from riches
Dogs and bitches
Hunt for fame
Difficult to know which way to turn

Lay the blame
On the snitches
Wicked witches
Fan the flame
Careful what you touch in case you burn

Queenie Eye, Queenie Eye
Who’s got the ball?
I haven’t got it
It isn’t in my pocket
O.U.T. spells out
Out
That’s out
Out
Without a shadow of a doubt
Cause you been putting it about
Hear the people shout
Hear the people shout

Play the game
Take your chances
Every dance is
Much the same
Doesn’t matter which of them you choose

Never blame
Circumstances
If romances
Seldom came
Never pick a fight you’re going to lose

Queenie Eye, Queenie Eye
Who’s got the ball?
I haven’t got it
It isn’t in my pocket
O.U.T. spells out
Out
That’s out
Out
Without a shadow of a doubt
Cause you been putting it about
Hear the people shout
Hear the people shout

It’s a long way
To the finish
When you’ve never been before
I was nervous but I did it
Now I’m going back for more

Let’s shout
Yeah, hey, yeah, hey
Yeah, hey, yeah, hey
Yeah, hey, yeah, hey
Hear the people shout
Yeah, hey, yeah, hey
Yeah, hey, yeah, hey
Yeah, hey, hey, yeah

Variations


A Album version

L1 Live At Tokyo Dome 2013

V1 Music video

Officially appears on


New (Deluxe Edition)

Official album • Released in 2013

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


New (Japan Edition)

Official album • Released in 2013

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


Queenie Eye

CD Single • Released in 2013

3:29 • Studio versionA1 • Radio edit

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


Queenie Eye

CD Single • Released in 2013

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


New

Official album • Released in 2013

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


New (2014 Japan Tour Edition)

Official album • Released in 2014

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


New (2014 Japan Tour Edition)

Official album • Released in 2014

4:14 • VideoV1 • Music video

Simon Aboud :
Director
Hans Alias :
Producer

New (Collector's Edition)

Official album • Released in 2014

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


New (Collector's Edition)

Official album • Released in 2014

3:43 • LiveL1 • Live At Tokyo Dome 2013

Paul McCartney :
Bass guitar, Vocals
Rusty Anderson :
Background vocals, Guitar
Abe Laboriel Jr. :
Background vocals, Drums
Paul Wickens :
Background vocals, Keyboards
Brian Ray :
Background vocals, Guitar
Giles Martin :
Producer

Pure McCartney (Deluxe)

Official album • Released in 2016

3:48 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Lap steel guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Vocals
Paul Epworth :
Drums, Producer
Eddie Klein :
Assistant recording engineer
Kevin Mills :
Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer
Jamie Kirkham :
Assistant recording engineer
Mark 'Spike' Stent :
Mixing engineer
Matt Wiggins :
Recording engineer
Geoff Swan :
Assistant mixing engineer
Adam Miller :
Assistant recording engineer
John Prestage :
Assistant recording engineer
Laurence Anslow :
Assistant recording engineer
Tom Bailey :
Assistant recording engineer
Bill Rahko :
Assistant recording engineer
Nicolas Essig :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
January 2012
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:
March 2013 ?
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
April 2013 ?
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Session Mixing:
April 2013
Studio :
Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles


Films


Queenie Eye

2013 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Simon Aboud

Live performances

“Queenie Eye” has been played in 189 concerts and 21 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where Queenie Eye has been played







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