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Released in 1986

Stranglehold

Written by Paul McCartney • Eric Stewart

Last updated on May 2, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the Press To Play Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1986

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1985, when Paul McCartney was 43 years old)

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other "Press To Play" songs co-written with Eric Stewart

“Stranglehold” is a song from 1986 album “Press to Play” co-written with Eric Stewart. It was the first song recorded for this album, and the album opener. It was isued as single exclusively in the US and reached number 81.

We started off with ‘Stranglehold’, putting rhythmic words in, using lyrics like a bongo, accenting the words. We enjoyed the experience, then went on to write the six that are on the album… I remembered the old way I’d written with John, the two acoustic guitars facing each other, like a mirror, but better! Like an objective mirror, you’re looking at the person playing chords, but it’s not you.

Paul McCartney, about writing songs with Eric Stewart for “Press To Play”, Club Sandwich N°42, Autumn 1986
From “Club Sandwich 42 – Autumn 1986“:

Messrs. Marotta and Padgham justify themselves immediately: the crisp drumwork is beautifully recorded and propels an arresting track which can only be described as swinging. Paul and Eric drive it along on acoustic guitars, saxophone swells occur at just the right moments and there’s some delightful, clipped electric rhythm guitar.

Club Sandwich No 42 Autumn 1986

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[Stranglehold] sounded great with just Paul on bass, me on electrified acoustic guitar, and Jerry on kit. I went home feeling very very happy and got a call, which my wife Gloria answered. It was Paul and he said, ‘Tell that bloke of yours that is bloody good and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow!’

Eric Stewart, from A Conversation with Eric Stewart, interview by Ken Sharp, in Beatlefan, N°140

Past the writing phase, the experience in the studio had not been satisfying, as Eric Stewart thought he would be the producer but McCartney finally brought Hugh Padgham – the go-to producer of the moment – in. Over time, the relationship between McCartney and Padgham didn’t work well, and it surely and clearly affected the end result. Here’s what Eric Stewart had to say retrospectively about the production of “Press To Play“, including “Stranglehold“:

God knows what happened, but by the time it was finished there were four producers involved and they’d messed up those songs, like ‘Angry’, totally changed them, a great song called ‘Stranglehold’, which was a beautiful song we’d written together, buggered it all up with blipping saxes going all the way through the verses

Eric Steward, 2017, from FarOut Magazine
From the “Press To Play” inner sleeve – These coloured diagrams by Paul show the position of the voices and instruments in the mix of each track.

Lyrics

Can I get you to give me a minute of your time?

Can I get you to slip me the answer?

Can I get you to show me a little of your mime?

You were always a very good dancer.

I'd be happy to show you a bit of what I found,

I'd be happy to share in its beauty,

I'd be happy to lay low inevitably bound,

I would only be doing my duty.

I wait, I wait, I can wait. I can wait back in the bar.

I can wait, I can wait, I can wait back in the car.

I'll be waiting for you.

Stranglehold, you know you've got one on me,

I don't want to go without you.

Stranglehold, you've got me where you want me,

But I want to know more about you.

I want to know more about you.

Are you willing to wager a little of your life?

Are you willing to take such a gamble?

Are you ready to walk on the edge of the knife?

Then I think we can skip the preamble.

I wait, I wait, I can wait. I can wait.

I can wait back in the bar, I can wait, I can wait,

I can wait back in the car, I'll be waiting for you.

I'll be waiting...

Stranglehold, you know you've got one on me,

I don't want to go without you.

Stranglehold, you've got me where you want me,

And I want to know more about you.

I want to know more about you.

I can wait, I can wait back in the bar.

I can wait, I can wait, I can wait back in the car.

I'll be waiting for you.

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Stranglehold”

Related film

  • Stranglehold

    1986 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Bob Giraldi

Live performances

“Stranglehold” has been played in 1 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Stranglehold” 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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