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Figure of Eight (song)

For the song of the same name by Status Quo, see In Search of the Fourth Chord.

"Figure of Eight" is a song from Paul McCartney's 1989 album, Flowers in the Dirt.

"Figure of Eight"
Single by Paul McCartney
from the album Flowers in the Dirt
B-side"Où est le Soleil?"
Released13 November 1989
Recorded9 November 1987
StudioHog Hill Mill (Icklesham, UK)
GenreRock
Length3:25 (album version)
5:11 (single version)
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)Paul McCartney
Producer(s)
Paul McCartney singles chronology
"Où est le Soleil?"
(1989) 		"Figure of Eight"
(1989) 		"Put It There"
(1990)

Single version

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After the completion of the album, McCartney recorded a new version for single release, using his newly formed touring band.[1][2] The new version is unusual in running nearly two minutes longer than the album version, rather than following the typical radio edit pattern of shortening the track for single release. Some versions of the single included an edit of the new version.

Despite this quirk, the single — which was released in seven formats including a 7", a 12", a cassingle, a CD and a 3" CD single — reached number 42 on the UK singles chart[3][4] and number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]

On various editions the single was labeled "Figure Of Eight" / "Ou Est le Soleil?" making it as double A-side.

Other versions

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"Figure of Eight" was the opening song throughout McCartney's 1989–1990 world concert tour. A version recorded in Rotterdam on 10 November 1989 appeared on the live album from the tour, Tripping the Live Fantastic.[6]

Music video

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The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and shows footage from the concert at Hallenstadion, Zurich on October 29, 1989.[7]

Track listings

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All tracks written by Paul McCartney except "The Long and Winding Road" written by McCartney / Lennon

7" single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:16
  2. "Où Est le Soleil?" – 4:50
7" promo single
  1. "Figure of Eight" (7" edit) – 3:59
  2. "Où Est le Soleil?" – 3:57
CD, 3" CD single
  1. "Figure of Eight" (7" edit) – 4:04
  2. "The Long and Winding Road" – 3:54
  3. "Loveliest Thing" – 3:59
12" single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:11
  2. "The Long and Winding Road" – 3:51
  3. "Loveliest Thing" – 3:58
12" single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:16
  2. "This One" (Club Lovejoys mix) – 6:10
12" single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:16
  2. "Où Est le Soleil?" (remix by Shep Pettibone) – 7:10
  3. "Où Est le Soleil?" (Tub Dub mix) (remix by Shep Pettibone) – 4:30
Cassette, Limited edition one sided 12" single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:16
  2. "Où Est le Soleil?" – 4:50
3" Special collector's CD single
  1. "Figure of Eight" – 5:13
  2. "Rough Ride" (Extended Version) – 4:54
  3. "Où Est le Soleil?" (7" mix) – 4:50

Personnel

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Personnel are taken from the Flowers in the Dirt Archive Collection LP liner notes[8]

Charts

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Chart (1989) Peak
position
Ireland[9] 25
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 42
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 42
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 92
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[13] 47
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[14] 8

References

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  1. ^ Madinger, Chip; Mark Easter (2000). Eight Arms To Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium. Chesterfield, MO: 44.1 Productions, LP. p. 305. ISBN 0-615-11724-4.
  2. ^ Blaney, J. (2007). Lennon and McCartney: together alone: a critical discography of their solo work. Jawbone Press. pp. 190–191, 194. ISBN 978-1-906002-02-2.
  3. ^ "Official Charts: Paul McCartney". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  4. ^ "UK Singles - 1952-2009". Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2000). Top Pop Singles 1955–1999. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc. p. 418. ISBN 0-89820-140-3.
  6. ^ Madinger, Chip; Mark Easter (2000). Eight Arms To Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium. Chesterfield, MO: 44.1 Productions, LP. p. 334. ISBN 0-615-11724-4.
  7. ^ Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Paul McCartney - "Figure of eight"". Music Video DataBase. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  8. ^ Paul McCartney - Flowers In The Dirt, 2017, retrieved 13 November 2023
  9. ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Paul McCartney" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  12. ^ "Paul McCartney Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Paul McCartney Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Paul McCartney Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.


 

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