This image is a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the work or the artist(s) which produced the recording or cover artwork in question. It is believed that the use of low-resolution images of such covers qualifies as fair use.

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

Timeline This song has been officially released in 1986

Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1985 (Paul McCartney was 43 years old)

Song facts

“Tough On A Tightrope” is a song from 1986 album “Press To Play“.

From the “Press To Play” sleeve – These coloured diagrams by Paul show the position of the voices and instruments in the mix of each track.

From the “Press To Play” sleeve – These coloured diagrams by Paul show the position of the voices and instruments in the mix of each track.

Last updated on May 2, 2020

Lyrics

You don't feel right when I come on strong
Don't get it wrong
I wait all night but you won't belong
Don't get it wrong

Hear me right, I love you from the bottom of my heart
You make the answer bright
You touch me in a way that no one else could ever do
If you'll only love me, I'll love you

And if you're tempted to tell a lie
Don't get it wrong
Well, it breaks my heart when I see you cry
Don't get it wrong, oh no

Get it right, the brightest light that's shining in the skies
Is shining from your eyes
I love you in a way that no one else could ever do
If you'll only love me, I'll love you

I'm often accused of giving too little
It's got me confused, I'm split down the middle
Conflicting reviews of our life coming in
It's tough on a tightrope, yes, it's tough on a tightrope

Hear me right, I love you from the bottom of my heart
You make the picture bright
And love me in a way that no one else could ever do
If you'll only love me, I'll love you
You touch me in a way that no one else could ever do
If you'll only love me, I'll love you

Tough on a tightrope
Tough on a tightrope
Tough on a tightrope

Officially appears on

Only Love Remains / Tough On A Tightrope

12" Single • Released in 1986

7:03 • Studio version • A1 • Remix by Julian Mendelsohn

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Julian Mendelsohn :: Remixing

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

Official album • Released in 1986

4:52 • Studio version • A

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

Only Love Remains / Tough On A Tightrope

7" Single • Released in 1986

4:44 • Studio version • A

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

Press To Play (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

4:52 • Studio version • A1993 • 1993 remaster

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

The 7” Singles Box

7" Single • Released in 2022

4:52 • Studio version • A2022 • 2022 remaster

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

Bootlegs

MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.19

Unofficial album

4:25 • Rough mix • A2

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Jerry Marotta :: Drums

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

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

MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.19

Unofficial album

6:49 • Studio version • A1 • Remix by Julian Mendelsohn

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Julian Mendelsohn :: Remixing

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

Pizza And Fairy Tales

Unofficial album • Released in 2000

4:28 • Rough mix • A2

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Jerry Marotta :: Drums

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

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

UK Singles Collection - Volume 03

Unofficial album • Released in 2007

4:44 • Studio version • A

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

UK Singles Collection - Volume 03

Unofficial album • Released in 2007

7:04 • Studio version • A1 • Remix by Julian Mendelsohn

Paul McCartney :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Synthesizers (?), Vocals

Linda McCartney :: Backing vocals

Eric Stewart :: Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar

Trevor Jones :: Assistant engineer (?)

Eddie Klein :: Assistant engineer (?)

Tony Clark :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Butler :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jon Kelly :: Assistant engineer (?)

Jerry Marotta :: Congas (?), Drums

Carlos Alomar :: Electric guitar

John Hammel :: Assistant engineer (?)

Matt Howe :: Assistant engineer (?)

Julian Mendelsohn :: Remixing

Hugh Padgham :: Engineering, Mixing engineer, Producer

Peter Mew :: Assistant engineer (?)

Haydn Bendall :: Assistant engineer (?)

Session Recording:: March - May 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Overdubs:: October 1st - December 6th 1985

Studio :: Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

Session Mixing:: April 14th-18th 1986

Studio :: AIR Studios, London, UK

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

See all bootlegs containing “Tough On A Tightrope”

Latest concerts where Tough On A Tightrope has been played

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

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