Tug of War (Paul McCartney song)

"Tug of War"
Single by Paul McCartney
from the album Tug of War
B-side	"Get It"
Released	6 September 1982
Format	7"
Recorded	Summer 1981
Genre	Soft rock, symphonic rock
Length	4:20 (Album Version) 4:00 (Single Version)
Label	Parlophone/EMI
Writer(s)	Paul McCartney
Producer(s)	George Martin
Paul McCartney singles chronology
"Take It Away" (1982) "Tug of War" (1982) "The Girl Is Mine" (1982)

"Tug of War" is the title track from Paul McCartney’s 1982 album Tug of War.

Aftermath

Rolling Stone described the song as McCartney's equivalent to John Lennon's "Imagine".^[1] To others, however, "Pipes of Peace" is. The song has a clear division between the verses featuring sad lyrics about the struggle to survive, the necessity of conflict (pushing and pulling) and the hopeful refrain, in which McCartney looks for a future where these struggles are no longer necessary.^[2] The lyrics are seen as describing his complex relationship with Lennon, who was killed two years prior.

The single reached number 53 in the UK and number 53 in the US.^[3][4]

The album version starts with the sounds of people grunting as part of a real tug of war- a popular sporting event since ancient times, before Paul goes into the song, and then at the end of the song, it fades into "Take It Away". The single version omits these factors.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, electric guitar, synthesizer
• Linda McCartney – backing vocals
• Eric Stewart – backing vocals, electric guitar
• Denny Laine – electric guitar
• Campbell Maloney – military snares
• Kenneth Sillito – orchestral arrangement

Track listing

7" single

1. "Tug Of War"
2. "Get It" (with Carl Perkins)

References