Paul is just the most amazing musican ever. in the new rolling stone edition of his magazine he was talking about how he was not going to move out of the way for new musican. he says "if theyre any good, theyll beat me."
when I first stumbled upon this song I was floored with what a raw rock sound McCartney had produced. I first heard it on a local college rock station and later looked it up on youtube. First rate rock track. Very good.
This was before MTV...And Paul had been making videos for years before this...And always put extra effort into them...So his vids stand the test of time when many of his contemporaries look silly in their early video efforts...
Still one of favorite McCartney songs 'cause he rocks out on it!
@DaveWollenberg Only 20!! ... while both "Silly Love Songs" and "Ebony & Ivory" got to #1 . I guess the public gets what the public wants ... and deserves.
It's romantic to think of John and Paul as spiritually and artistically inseperable, but really --- each could stand on his own, or work with others, as all of us who are emotionally healthy are able to do. I love the John and Paul marriage, but I love them each as men, and I am happy they went on to do great things, and have families and so on. Glad they didn't just stay Beatles, that is.
Also what's funny is that I'm writing a story and its main character's name is Salamander, so because of that this will always be one of my favorite songs. It's an awesome song without that reference also! :)
To me he is clearly saying Salamander; at the very least the first syllable is very clear. I've heard to much of his work to think it could be my sweet Amanda or something like that. Sorry if this post offends anyone.
"Oh no, don't answer". OF COURSE! I never thought about that particular line or its meaning!! Yes, John was supposed to meet Paul in New Orleans. Imagine what Venus and Mars would have been like if this happened!!! I also read similar meaning into "With a Little Luck". There's a line in there "Can't you feel the town exploding". Back in 1970, John wrote a song called "Isolation" where he says "the world is just a little town". The world would have exploded if they re-united!
@LeonardAaron They were soulmates. They loved each other, they hated each other, they needed each other, they needed to be away from each other to try and top each other musically. Yoko Ono did not understand the love between John and Paul. Cynthia Lennon did. May Pang did. Any woman who loved John Lennon for who he was, and not what he could give them, knew that John needed Paul as much as Paul needed John.
@BettinaBalser I agree completely! Linda McCartney in a Playboy interview said (while Paul was in the bathroom! LOL) that John was "desperate" to write with Paul. Before she could elaborate on that, Paul returned. I think Paul felt the same way. Think how many songs were ruined or underdeveloped because they wouldn't or couldn't get together! I'm Carrying, I Don't Want to Be a Soldier, Mama, I don't Want to Die, Backwards Traveller, It's mindboggling what they could have accomplished.
People may say I'm reading into Paul's songs too much but this song, One of These Days, and even some others, Paul seems to be talking to John about getting back together in both their friendship and songwriting. Does anyone agree?
@LeonardAaron Absolutely. This whole song, I think, was a veiled plea to Lennon. In the May Pang days, John and Paul were together in L.A. and playing music and many have reported that John was the happiest anyone had ever seen him. This ended as soon as Yoko was back in the picture. "Oh no, don't answer." Think about it.
I just don't understand why McCartney doesn't perform any of these fantastic Wings rockers live, he would just blow crowds away if he rocked these today!
I love Paul, and I really like this song--it grows on you big time. BUT, I don't care how interesting some people might think the "my salamander" lyric might be...hoo boy. Not exactly the deepest thing in the world.
This song just builds and builds to a fantastic climax. Great song. I bought this album when i was a teenager and I played it to death. My hubby and I were going through our dusty album collection the other day and I found it. My old friend had been sitting in the cupboard for more years than I care to count. I love that I can now come in here and access the songs 24/7. Gotta love technology.
For those of you who are debating the term "My Salamander", a salamander is not just a lizard, it is a mythological creature, a fire fairy, normally very beautiful.
This one got a lot of airplay on some Chicago stations back then. Always loved the musical progression at the 2:48 mark of this song...just brilliant to me. Also, Paul 'may' have just been saying My Salamander, but I always took it to be "My Sal Amanda", where sal is short for salacious, which can mean lustful, lecherous, lewd, or indecent. Makes more sense to me in the context of this song.
very possibly Paul was simply using "salamander" because it phonetically, and rhythmically fit the melody. Paul, like most of his generation wasnt above imagery w/o intent, and was familiar w "stream of thought" lyrics...
I know it sounds like he's saying, "My salamander." What the heck does that mean? When listening to this tune on the radio back in '79 I always thought he was saying something like, "My sweet Amanda."
I remember Paul saying while working out the song that became Yesterday the working title was "Scrambled eggs" because that's all that fit. Until it struck him that Yesterday was the same illiteration.
I seriously doubt a lyricist of Paul's caliber is singing, "My Salamander."
@histre101 Sure, No worries. I'll get right on that. I just wondered if anyone had the liner notes from Back To The Egg with Paul's lyrics on it? I've seen different lyric places on the net which say it's "My Salamander." That just doesn't fit.
@DanDeDonDon According to the lyrics (found online), he is indeed saying " my Salamander." It's a terrific song, but I don't know what was going through his head when he wrote it.
@christinatatman Tell us oh great one... Maybe you are actually Paul himself masquerading as "christinatatman"? This should be good. Please do tell us.
@DanDeDonDon wow, you're really worked up about this...sad...the song is about someone who is apparently torn between two suitors...the use of "salamander" is significant because a salamander will break off its tail or even a leg to escape if it is captured, then the missing limb will regenerate, implying this person is avoiding being "captured", or making a commitment. btw, you should really work on your sarcasm...
@christinatatman Right, Riiight! Oh yes, THAT was REALLY obvious. I just don't know how we didn't get it sooner, without you; Your Royal HIghness. You just dislocated your shoulder reaching for that one.
BTW: For a 46 year old woman you should really work on your social behavior...
@DanDeDonDon mccartney talked about this in some live performances. i was just surprised that it wasn't more widely known. sorry you're getting so bent out of shape about it!
@christinatatman I like this song about as well as anything Paul did in the Wings era. I'm not surprised it isn't more widely known what Paul's intent was with these lyrics because this song wasn't as widely played. This just wasn't one of his big hits.
@DanDeDonDon i do apologize though, because i didn't intend to reply specifically to you...i'm sorry if you felt my comment was derogatory or spiteful...it was not intended that way.
@christinatatman Well you DID reply to me specifically, and you were unnecessarily nasty and rude. I don't know how it was NOT intended? You could have made your points from the outset without any attitude and we would not be having this discussion now.
one of my all time favs. the album as a whole has a kind of cold, distant feel to it but it is also loaded with hooks and some great rock n roll. rockestra theme, so glad to see you here--awesome.
i got a new ipod nd i already have 39 of his best songs i jus need 2 get "sun is shining" nd "life long passion" wen i got this 1 i was so excited i showed all ma friends now they have paul mccartney i love this guy
I forgot all about this song! Classic Paul bass riffs in this song. McCartney is the only one who could write a great pop song using the word `salamander`.....
Bought this album way back in '79. Man, it rocks. Disco was on the way out then this was released. Still have the vynil LP. A few months after 'Back to the Egg", " McCartney II was out. Have that too. Damn, this man one of a kind. Love the Beatles
I bought this album in 79 also,it's been sitting in a milk crate for about 20 years. Think i'll wipe the dust off of it and give it a spin. Probably bring back some good memories
This song (like most of the others people think are about John) has nothing to do with JL. Paul himself said 'its interesting hearing people's interpretations, but I know what I was thinking when I wrote them' . There are even people who claim certain other Wings songs are about John, without realising that Denny Laine wrote them ! Any song written about a girl could be interpreted as being about JL,
Does anybody remember 1979? The disco era was out and the hair bands were around the corner but here's Paul with an awesome underrated tune in which I am convinced is a reconciliation attempt by him to John. Of course we all know what happened the next year.
With Paul's lyrics, it kinda reminds me of Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox. I mean, he's a sucky left fielder, but if he can HIT the way he does, it tends to be overlooked. lol. Same thing with Paul and his lyrics. I mean, a kindergartner could write those lyrics. But with those melodies, who's complaining!!! lol.
where is reception the opening track of wings back to the egg totally killer funk before hearing it I never thought they had it in them wings, I have adored this band since hearing it
This is an awesome song!...I remember it well from '79...Paul McCartney like everyone else was looking for an answer to break the disco's choke hold on music radio...Paul would soon find his answer and be back on top...Which was pretty amazing considering back in '79 we had no idea what the shelf life on rock stars was...Turns out with McCartney it just goes on and on.
If you saw the lyrics on line, those sites are not reliable. For example they had the lyric "hitting the chisel and making a joke" shown as "hitting the chiel and making a joint" which is wrong.
This video (and many more missing from the first DVD) will be on The McCartney Years Vol. 2 DVD. He should include Getting Closer, Old Siam Sir, Spin It On, Love Awake, So Glad to See You Here, Coming Up (Live), the rest of the Rock Show tour, all of Kampuchea, concerts from 1972/73 Wings and from 1979 Wings, songs from his 1973 TV special James Paul McCartney etc. He has so much additional material, the second DVD would be better than the first. Come on Paul, put it out this Christmas.
@tastyzombiesnack Yes, it is indeed one of Macca's best albums and this one of his best songs!!! I've got the Back To The Egg lp in so many versions, lol...
I was 11 when this album came out and, I agree, I didn't like it as well as Mc Cartney 2. It was beacuse of the new band lineup. The prior line up had a genuinely fun and talented cohesive group. This album is sounds ahead of its time for when it came out.
It was always an event in 1970s for our local FM station when a former Beatle came out with a new album. By the time Back to the Egg came out, New Wave was in full force. No one I knew liked Back to the Egg in those days, not even my ardent Beatlemaniac friend. Compared with a lot of bland McCartney albums that were to come over subsequent years, this album is a forgotten gem.
getting really closer to the point. yet positive song, never pretensious, full of inside malice; i like it since ever and don´t remember getting tired of this specific tune.
This is a really nice little song from Wings. I was painting houses in 1979, trying to save some bread for college and this tune was an AM Top 40 staple that summer. For some reason, it gets zero attention today, no air play, although I would consider it one of my favorite post-Beatles McCartney pieces. Really catchy and memorable -- which is why I never forgot about it, kept humming it, even though, before You Tube, I hadn't heard it in thirty years.
Does anyone know why this song does NOT appear on the 3 disc DVD set "The McCartney Years" ? The only song from Back to the Egg was "Baby's Request". There were other promo videos done for this album but they're absent from the DVD for some reason.
I was disappointed that this song and Arrow Through Me were NOT included on the McCartney Years. In my opinion, these videos from Back To The Egg were some of his best works!
Paul goes new wave with a Squeeze inspired sound. Glen Tilbrook could have sung this song to a top ten hit in the 80's. McCartney was a masterful song writer and vocalist who flows from one style to the next with ease. Gets a bum wrap from Harrison, eventhough it was Paul in the studio working with George during Abby Road sessions cutting Here comes the Sun & Something while Lennon was out prancing about Scotland with Yoko. I doubt anyone worked as hard as McCartney at their craft.
@SOLISDEUS Very well observed comment re. Squeeze. I've always thought things like 'Pulling mussels from a shell' were pure early-Beatles McCartney - that clear, high voice. But I hadn't thought of it the other way round. And you're right. Lovely insight! Thank you.
@avalanche344 Maybe it was a Buddy Holly sound copied by the Beatles and later Squeeze. Overall the new wave movement from late 70' through 80's did not focus on recreating Beatles sound, rather, return to the basics. Yes, Gentle Giant, ELP, Kansas took pop music to a high level and lost some listeners in such lofty heights. New wave always struck me as a back to the basics, three - five cord ditties with a modest Chuck Berry vibe, simple earnest lyrics and occasional synthesizer.
he was never a fave with critics because critics don't know shit about music and are mostly frustrated writers. they listen for literature set to weak music, which tragically leads to exalting the mediocrity of van morrison and tom petty, dave matthews and later even Dylan, who thought he was creating important literature. McCartney wrote enigmatic tone poems at his best, not "feel good" songs. Bruce Springsteen is another critic's darling who isn't worth a cold lump of shit.
I've just read the most mean and wretched critic about the album Back to the Egg. It's from 1979, and guess what... it's from Rolling Stone, the same source of all that exalted critics about mediocre artists.
Perhaps the best and most thought provoking comments I've seen on YT in a while. Good observation dude. I will say that Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love" is spectacular lyrically. Spot on about Matthews and Dylan.
¿Hace ya 30 años que salió este disco? Sí, en serio. Yo lo compré en acetato y lo escuché hasta aprenderlo de memoria. "I'm getting closer my salamander". Es grato escuchar este tema hoy en día, más aun sabiendo que Linda McCartney y Denny Lane ya fallecieron. Y el viejo Paul... bueno, lo seguimos queriendo mucho.
I always thought the instrumental ending to this could have made a great theme for some TV programme. It's just brilliant and almost a song on its own. Alas, no-one took up the mantle.
Thanks for the info Monkey - I guess lyrics can go to different people different meanings, but I still feel that Paul was extremely angry over this woman pulling John apart. Read Tony Bramwell's "Magical Mystery Tours" or Albert Grossman's "Lives of John Lennon". I feel they are closer to the truth than anything, especially anything from Yoko's PR man, Eliot Mintz. Read both of those books, then come back and give me your objective answer.
i've read those, i know Eliot Mintz is a sycophant twirp, and all those books are questionable, although great reads. i've been reading everything i could my hands on since i was a kid when Hunter Davies book came out in 1968, and one of the most honest accounts of that period from an insider who got as inside as someone could get, was Francie Schwartz' book Body Count. read that, if you can find it, and then you get back to me. There was a lot of drama going on besides Yoko. Francie was there!
I felt the same way before I read the one he did on Lennon. However, hearing many of the stories that went on with John over the course of his life, Grossman doesn't sound too far from the truth. He give his take on Lennon more sinister, but hearing all the other stories from other reliable sources (Bramwell, his first wife Cynthia, Mal, Neil and Brian), Lennon's entire life was quite dark. I would disagree with you in terms of Grossman's book being complete bull.
for some reason Paul doesn't seem to have as much confidence in Back To The Egg. it was a relatively big flop when it came out, i still remember the day because i worked at a record store. but i loved it. and it seemed to fit in with the minimalism of punk, which was brand new. it just didn't seem as big as Wings previous records, especially after the Wings Over America 3-record set had been so massive the previous year. Paul thought BTTE was another hit, and was very disappointed.
i recently read an interview with Steve Holly from Wings, drummer on BTTE, who said that Paul didn't seem to be very happy during the last Wings tour. Holly said after one show he congratulated themselves after a show well done, thinking they played great, but Paul remarked that it had sucked. Paul never seemed to be happy with the last Wings line-up and felt that they weren't tight or as rehearsed as the previous line-up with Jimmy & Joe, his favorite line up. by 1979, Paul lost interest.
I watched The Beatles Secrets on the BBC the other day. May Pang talked about John and Paul discussing a reunion that was gonna happen around 1974. Of course John went back with Yoko and that dream died. Larry Kane who followed The Beatles during their 1964 tour said that John told him in the 70"s that he was the happiest when he was with May Pang. Oh well, Yoko was the final nail in the Beatles coffin.
SabbathMobRules, thank you -- You hit it on the head. Lennon did all those so called hidden clues, but Paul did a bunch as well. For example, read into "Get Back", and change the name of "Jojo" to another 4-lettered first name with the letter "O" occupying the 2nd and 4th spots. "All the girls around, they said 'she has it coming', but she gets 'it' while she can" John was screwing women left and right. Paul, you are a clever fox.
yeah, we all know the story of how Paul was on his way to see Julian and the song came to him, blah blah blah. lol. yeah that's the popular story that Paul sticks to. but you need to learn about Francie Schwartz, who was Paul's girlfriend between Jane and Linda (not to mention Peggy Lipton and some random groupies) who tells how Paul worked on Hey Jude while she was living with him. She wrote one of the best accounts, in her book Body Count, about living with Paul and her influence on that song.
Paul has actually said that Hey Jude was about him. It started out as "Hey Jules, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better." So that part could have referred to Julian. But "remember to let her into your heart" cannot be taken as having anything to do with a five year old. John heard it as a song to him.
John's wife was Cynthia, by the way. or some call her Cyn. but never has she been referred to as Cindy. also, there are a lot of Beatle myths, perpetuated by the Beatles themselves. i'm afraid the writing of Hey Jude is one of them. Paul wrote the song fro Francie Schwartz, who was a Jewish American writer who worked at Apple in 1968 and was Paul's live-in girlfriend. She was the direct influence on him for that song. some of the lines in the song are her direct quotes to him. She was Jude.
Paul is just the most amazing musican ever. in the new rolling stone edition of his magazine he was talking about how he was not going to move out of the way for new musican. he says "if theyre any good, theyll beat me."
deep inside, he knows they never will :D
rollingstonesgirl99 4 days ago
when I first stumbled upon this song I was floored with what a raw rock sound McCartney had produced. I first heard it on a local college rock station and later looked it up on youtube. First rate rock track. Very good.
Kevezification 3 weeks ago
This song kicks ass and may be McCartney's best raw rock tune. RAM On, Sir Paul! the world still loves you and your magnificent music!!!
billslater55 2 months ago
Canzone Fantasticaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
seriosca1 3 months ago
This was before MTV...And Paul had been making videos for years before this...And always put extra effort into them...So his vids stand the test of time when many of his contemporaries look silly in their early video efforts...
Still one of favorite McCartney songs 'cause he rocks out on it!
dburr13 3 months ago
Denny was very Loyal, nobody else could work with Paul for very Long
Rex7980 5 months ago
@Rex7980 um...i think john & worked with him for a long time....
txeire 2 months ago
Easily Wings' best album, although I've heard that Paul doesn't care for it that much. Really hard to find on CD, too!
lurch321 6 months ago
great song
shaneh1983 6 months ago
anyone know who the second guitarist in this video is?
dagoelius 7 months ago
@dagoelius there is denny laine and lawrence juber
Mrmofongo624 6 months ago
hahahh shit vid!
chevyvictor 7 months ago
@chevyvictor
lol shitbrain
MarkII69 6 months ago
@MarkII69 yer agree the person who made this vid is a shitbrain ay
chevyvictor 6 months ago
@chevyvictor
No. You, moron.
MarkII69 6 months ago
Macca and Wings hit #20 in Billboard, 7-28-79. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!
DaveWollenberg 8 months ago
@DaveWollenberg Only 20!! ... while both "Silly Love Songs" and "Ebony & Ivory" got to #1 . I guess the public gets what the public wants ... and deserves.
lrd9999 6 months ago
@lrd9999
If memory serves me right, this track spent some time at No1 in the New Zealand charts back in 1979.
80skiwi 4 months ago
@80skiwi You guys must have better taste than we do, at least when it comes to Paul McCartney!
lrd9999 4 months ago
It's romantic to think of John and Paul as spiritually and artistically inseperable, but really --- each could stand on his own, or work with others, as all of us who are emotionally healthy are able to do. I love the John and Paul marriage, but I love them each as men, and I am happy they went on to do great things, and have families and so on. Glad they didn't just stay Beatles, that is.
nobodady1 8 months ago
I wonder if "salamander" is a 'Fahrenheit 451' reference...
Sodahpop96 9 months ago
Now if Paul were dead, you think the imposter would come out with great hits like this?? I Think not
AlT70 10 months ago 2
Also what's funny is that I'm writing a story and its main character's name is Salamander, so because of that this will always be one of my favorite songs. It's an awesome song without that reference also! :)
JPMistheBestBeatle 10 months ago
To me he is clearly saying Salamander; at the very least the first syllable is very clear. I've heard to much of his work to think it could be my sweet Amanda or something like that. Sorry if this post offends anyone.
JPMistheBestBeatle 10 months ago
"Oh no, don't answer". OF COURSE! I never thought about that particular line or its meaning!! Yes, John was supposed to meet Paul in New Orleans. Imagine what Venus and Mars would have been like if this happened!!! I also read similar meaning into "With a Little Luck". There's a line in there "Can't you feel the town exploding". Back in 1970, John wrote a song called "Isolation" where he says "the world is just a little town". The world would have exploded if they re-united!
LeonardAaron 10 months ago
@LeonardAaron They were soulmates. They loved each other, they hated each other, they needed each other, they needed to be away from each other to try and top each other musically. Yoko Ono did not understand the love between John and Paul. Cynthia Lennon did. May Pang did. Any woman who loved John Lennon for who he was, and not what he could give them, knew that John needed Paul as much as Paul needed John.
BettinaBalser 10 months ago 2
@BettinaBalser I agree completely! Linda McCartney in a Playboy interview said (while Paul was in the bathroom! LOL) that John was "desperate" to write with Paul. Before she could elaborate on that, Paul returned. I think Paul felt the same way. Think how many songs were ruined or underdeveloped because they wouldn't or couldn't get together! I'm Carrying, I Don't Want to Be a Soldier, Mama, I don't Want to Die, Backwards Traveller, It's mindboggling what they could have accomplished.
LeonardAaron 10 months ago
@BettinaBalser In Paul's own words, "There is no end to what we can do together" :(
LeonardAaron 10 months ago
People may say I'm reading into Paul's songs too much but this song, One of These Days, and even some others, Paul seems to be talking to John about getting back together in both their friendship and songwriting. Does anyone agree?
LeonardAaron 11 months ago
@LeonardAaron Absolutely. This whole song, I think, was a veiled plea to Lennon. In the May Pang days, John and Paul were together in L.A. and playing music and many have reported that John was the happiest anyone had ever seen him. This ended as soon as Yoko was back in the picture. "Oh no, don't answer." Think about it.
BettinaBalser 10 months ago
Oh,.. I thought he said "I saw Amanda" all these years!~
maskof 11 months ago
I saw him performing last year in London/Hide Park it was a great concert.
Macca It’s much at the back of you “When I’m 64 “! You should think of “When I’m 84”!
Lennon –McCartney .Awesome music you have produced. Many thanks
gega
gegaks 11 months ago
O-no dont answer!!
luzeeanabeat 11 months ago
Just Brilliant
zofor 1 year ago
i adore that man. i just love him <3 <3
Sodahpop96 1 year ago 4
@Sodahpop96 Me too... my dream of life is to see him.. . from Peru, Rosa
primaveraIII 1 year ago
I just don't understand why McCartney doesn't perform any of these fantastic Wings rockers live, he would just blow crowds away if he rocked these today!
thumbsaloft 1 year ago 6
See Last Concert In Glasgow 1979 . Wings last concert good version of this song.
lukewarmhands 1 year ago
I love Paul, and I really like this song--it grows on you big time. BUT, I don't care how interesting some people might think the "my salamander" lyric might be...hoo boy. Not exactly the deepest thing in the world.
captainvaritek 1 year ago
This song just builds and builds to a fantastic climax. Great song. I bought this album when i was a teenager and I played it to death. My hubby and I were going through our dusty album collection the other day and I found it. My old friend had been sitting in the cupboard for more years than I care to count. I love that I can now come in here and access the songs 24/7. Gotta love technology.
vanjane 1 year ago
Great song and I love this album. Good to see the video again. :)
LiveCrueltyFreeNow 1 year ago
Salamander = Lennon ?
Ono don't answer, Hope Yoko doesn't answer the phone?
Getting closer to Lennon?
johnlr255 1 year ago 3
For those of you who are debating the term "My Salamander", a salamander is not just a lizard, it is a mythological creature, a fire fairy, normally very beautiful.
girlnumb3r1 1 year ago 2
my salamander?
WINGSFAN567 1 year ago
John Bonham played the drums on this LP!
ledamate 1 year ago
@ledamate
lol Steve Holley played the drums on this album. Doorknob.
MarkII69 1 year ago
This one got a lot of airplay on some Chicago stations back then. Always loved the musical progression at the 2:48 mark of this song...just brilliant to me. Also, Paul 'may' have just been saying My Salamander, but I always took it to be "My Sal Amanda", where sal is short for salacious, which can mean lustful, lecherous, lewd, or indecent. Makes more sense to me in the context of this song.
edscars 1 year ago
i have disco 45
stellalupatatililly 1 year ago
After Band on the Run, Bck to Egg is my fave from Wings and this is one of the reasons why.
Oforgoodnessache 1 year ago
I heard this song a few times in August 1979, but not very often back then. Always will remind me of the summer of 1979!!!
TypesALot 1 year ago
I agree about Back to the Egg being under rated at the time. Few took Wings seriously...but those with ears appreciated them nonetheless.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
very possibly Paul was simply using "salamander" because it phonetically, and rhythmically fit the melody. Paul, like most of his generation wasnt above imagery w/o intent, and was familiar w "stream of thought" lyrics...
jimmychipper 1 year ago
I know it sounds like he's saying, "My salamander." What the heck does that mean? When listening to this tune on the radio back in '79 I always thought he was saying something like, "My sweet Amanda."
I remember Paul saying while working out the song that became Yesterday the working title was "Scrambled eggs" because that's all that fit. Until it struck him that Yesterday was the same illiteration.
I seriously doubt a lyricist of Paul's caliber is singing, "My Salamander."
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon so go ask the guy what he's saying....
histre101 1 year ago
@histre101 Sure, No worries. I'll get right on that. I just wondered if anyone had the liner notes from Back To The Egg with Paul's lyrics on it? I've seen different lyric places on the net which say it's "My Salamander." That just doesn't fit.
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon According to the lyrics (found online), he is indeed saying " my Salamander." It's a terrific song, but I don't know what was going through his head when he wrote it.
ftsjr 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon I'm afraid he is singing "my salamander" but a might fine tune all the same I think.
Oforgoodnessache 1 year ago
@Oforgoodnessache I really enjoyed this song back in the day, and I'm really glad to be able to listen to it again, "My Salamander" or not.
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon do none of you really understand the significance of "salamander"? wow...
christinatatman 1 year ago
@christinatatman Tell us oh great one... Maybe you are actually Paul himself masquerading as "christinatatman"? This should be good. Please do tell us.
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon wow, you're really worked up about this...sad...the song is about someone who is apparently torn between two suitors...the use of "salamander" is significant because a salamander will break off its tail or even a leg to escape if it is captured, then the missing limb will regenerate, implying this person is avoiding being "captured", or making a commitment. btw, you should really work on your sarcasm...
christinatatman 1 year ago
@christinatatman Right, Riiight! Oh yes, THAT was REALLY obvious. I just don't know how we didn't get it sooner, without you; Your Royal HIghness. You just dislocated your shoulder reaching for that one.
BTW: For a 46 year old woman you should really work on your social behavior...
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon mccartney talked about this in some live performances. i was just surprised that it wasn't more widely known. sorry you're getting so bent out of shape about it!
christinatatman 1 year ago
@christinatatman I like this song about as well as anything Paul did in the Wings era. I'm not surprised it isn't more widely known what Paul's intent was with these lyrics because this song wasn't as widely played. This just wasn't one of his big hits.
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon It was in Australia. :)
dagoelius 1 year ago
@DanDeDonDon i do apologize though, because i didn't intend to reply specifically to you...i'm sorry if you felt my comment was derogatory or spiteful...it was not intended that way.
christinatatman 1 year ago
@christinatatman Well you DID reply to me specifically, and you were unnecessarily nasty and rude. I don't know how it was NOT intended? You could have made your points from the outset without any attitude and we would not be having this discussion now.
DanDeDonDon 1 year ago
at 2:10 when he sings "im getting closer" his voice sounds amazing nd flawless its awesome just to hear him sing anything i love paul mccartney
84cruzazul 1 year ago
My Salamander ! ! !
elmakartany 1 year ago
Great tune, could have been a hit if it had proper lyrics to it.
August1977 1 year ago
one of my all time favs. the album as a whole has a kind of cold, distant feel to it but it is also loaded with hooks and some great rock n roll. rockestra theme, so glad to see you here--awesome.
hansonjb99 1 year ago
Bought the 45 when it came out.Loved playing it LOUD. I think it much better than some more well known Mc Cartney hits.
petewingnut 1 year ago
i got a new ipod nd i already have 39 of his best songs i jus need 2 get "sun is shining" nd "life long passion" wen i got this 1 i was so excited i showed all ma friends now they have paul mccartney i love this guy
84cruzazul 1 year ago
PAUL IS DEAD!!!
IronLionZion901 1 year ago
His voice is great in this song.
Burco1 1 year ago 3
A great song and video, from a man who just lost alot of support in the U.S. for his comments the other night when he received the Gershwin award.
lawrev 1 year ago
bloody good one of his best ... well posted
mrsaxon843 1 year ago
I forgot all about this song! Classic Paul bass riffs in this song. McCartney is the only one who could write a great pop song using the word `salamander`.....
whyyeseyec 1 year ago 3
Bought this album way back in '79. Man, it rocks. Disco was on the way out then this was released. Still have the vynil LP. A few months after 'Back to the Egg", " McCartney II was out. Have that too. Damn, this man one of a kind. Love the Beatles
ericdapugi 1 year ago
I bought this album in 79 also,it's been sitting in a milk crate for about 20 years. Think i'll wipe the dust off of it and give it a spin. Probably bring back some good memories
metsfan164 1 year ago
so good!!!!!!!!!1
PaulMcCartneyHD 1 year ago
This song (like most of the others people think are about John) has nothing to do with JL. Paul himself said 'its interesting hearing people's interpretations, but I know what I was thinking when I wrote them' . There are even people who claim certain other Wings songs are about John, without realising that Denny Laine wrote them ! Any song written about a girl could be interpreted as being about JL,
if you think about it.
ipolson 1 year ago
Does anybody remember 1979? The disco era was out and the hair bands were around the corner but here's Paul with an awesome underrated tune in which I am convinced is a reconciliation attempt by him to John. Of course we all know what happened the next year.
toryst478 1 year ago
Hit #20 in the US (Billboard). How'd it do in the UK? God bless! RIP, Lovelly Linda.
DaveWollenberg 1 year ago
Another great song, but does anyone know the reason he says "my salamander"?
lyricistgirl 1 year ago
One of Wings 5 best, no doubt! Why it wasn't put on "Wingspan" I'll never know.
MeanSOB1 1 year ago
Oh, God. This is soooo Good!!!!!!
eteachout 1 year ago
i'm getting closer, I'm getting closer to your heart~
AHHH I LOVE IT!!!!
Dorothyluzdeagua1 1 year ago
With Paul's lyrics, it kinda reminds me of Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox. I mean, he's a sucky left fielder, but if he can HIT the way he does, it tends to be overlooked. lol. Same thing with Paul and his lyrics. I mean, a kindergartner could write those lyrics. But with those melodies, who's complaining!!! lol.
wilsondylanmccartney 1 year ago
where is reception the opening track of wings back to the egg totally killer funk before hearing it I never thought they had it in them wings, I have adored this band since hearing it
janfreidun 1 year ago
killer tune one of the best wings, one of denny's best guitarplay and one of jamespauls funkiest bass!
janfreidun 1 year ago 2
Gah, I love this song....haven't heard it in so long, and I guess he's doing it live this year. Wish I could go.
PeachWNK 1 year ago
Are Linda's keyboards even plugged in?
just4tunes 1 year ago
This is an awesome song!...I remember it well from '79...Paul McCartney like everyone else was looking for an answer to break the disco's choke hold on music radio...Paul would soon find his answer and be back on top...Which was pretty amazing considering back in '79 we had no idea what the shelf life on rock stars was...Turns out with McCartney it just goes on and on.
dburr13 2 years ago 2
So under-rated and so was the album Back to the Egg..in my opinion, right behind Ram for Pauls finest album ever.
Ram on,
Joe.
kringles4 2 years ago 2
If you saw the lyrics on line, those sites are not reliable. For example they had the lyric "hitting the chisel and making a joke" shown as "hitting the chiel and making a joint" which is wrong.
dachille1 2 years ago
I thought it was "careful, beware of snipers" not "cattle beware of snipers". My Salamander is a great phrase, Its funny.
dachille1 2 years ago
JAMMIN!
rwhitenow 2 years ago
My salamander?
JackHauss 2 years ago 2
Awesome!
xoxo
The Clarences
THECLARENCES 2 years ago
Damnit Paul, what were you smoking? My Salamander? Cattle beware of snipers? I love this song, always have and always will!
kfirmedia 2 years ago
Sir Paul McCartney is obviously the greatest artist ever.
ScottGallsten 2 years ago 2
This video (and many more missing from the first DVD) will be on The McCartney Years Vol. 2 DVD. He should include Getting Closer, Old Siam Sir, Spin It On, Love Awake, So Glad to See You Here, Coming Up (Live), the rest of the Rock Show tour, all of Kampuchea, concerts from 1972/73 Wings and from 1979 Wings, songs from his 1973 TV special James Paul McCartney etc. He has so much additional material, the second DVD would be better than the first. Come on Paul, put it out this Christmas.
dachille1 2 years ago
I think back to the egg was under appreciated because it was ahead of its time. I think listening to it now bears that out, its a classic
bluesaxeman 2 years ago 9
Yet another damn catchy classic from Sir Paul. You don't get much better than Back to the Egg.
tastyzombiesnack 2 years ago 19
@tastyzombiesnack Yes, it is indeed one of Macca's best albums and this one of his best songs!!! I've got the Back To The Egg lp in so many versions, lol...
AlT70 10 months ago
One of Paul's lost classics...the whole Back To The Egg album is grossly underappreciated.
buffalobraves9 2 years ago 74
@buffalobraves9 Very true!
accordionreid 1 year ago
@buffalobraves9 yea i no imean WTF is up wiv that
duncansby96 1 year ago
I was 11 when this album came out and, I agree, I didn't like it as well as Mc Cartney 2. It was beacuse of the new band lineup. The prior line up had a genuinely fun and talented cohesive group. This album is sounds ahead of its time for when it came out.
MrCeja1 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This song is crap. I like Paul/Beatles, but this is lame. If you think this is good I feel sorry for you.
crockadiallatergator 2 years ago
Best Song EVAR (on my top 10.)
projectpeach262 2 years ago 2
AMAZING SONG.
If there is a God.... he's the bassist from the Beatles.
msradx 2 years ago 5
@msradx Haven't you heard. . . . . Clapton is God!!
proferic 2 years ago
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msradx 2 years ago
It peaked on "Billboard Top 40" @ #20 on Aug 4th 1979.
loudmusic67 2 years ago
It was always an event in 1970s for our local FM station when a former Beatle came out with a new album. By the time Back to the Egg came out, New Wave was in full force. No one I knew liked Back to the Egg in those days, not even my ardent Beatlemaniac friend. Compared with a lot of bland McCartney albums that were to come over subsequent years, this album is a forgotten gem.
MisterEvasion 2 years ago 6
getting really closer to the point. yet positive song, never pretensious, full of inside malice; i like it since ever and don´t remember getting tired of this specific tune.
meucrimemau 2 years ago
This is a really nice little song from Wings. I was painting houses in 1979, trying to save some bread for college and this tune was an AM Top 40 staple that summer. For some reason, it gets zero attention today, no air play, although I would consider it one of my favorite post-Beatles McCartney pieces. Really catchy and memorable -- which is why I never forgot about it, kept humming it, even though, before You Tube, I hadn't heard it in thirty years.
sjplwc 2 years ago 2
Great song-Great album
WAY ahead of its time
bluesaxeman 2 years ago 6
Does anyone know why this song does NOT appear on the 3 disc DVD set "The McCartney Years" ? The only song from Back to the Egg was "Baby's Request". There were other promo videos done for this album but they're absent from the DVD for some reason.
hamdemon99 2 years ago
I was disappointed that this song and Arrow Through Me were NOT included on the McCartney Years. In my opinion, these videos from Back To The Egg were some of his best works!
accordionreid 2 years ago 2
Paul goes new wave with a Squeeze inspired sound. Glen Tilbrook could have sung this song to a top ten hit in the 80's. McCartney was a masterful song writer and vocalist who flows from one style to the next with ease. Gets a bum wrap from Harrison, eventhough it was Paul in the studio working with George during Abby Road sessions cutting Here comes the Sun & Something while Lennon was out prancing about Scotland with Yoko. I doubt anyone worked as hard as McCartney at their craft.
SOLISDEUS 2 years ago 33
@SOLISDEUS Good observation. It does sound a lot like Squeeze.
DejectedPanda 1 year ago
@SOLISDEUS Very well observed comment re. Squeeze. I've always thought things like 'Pulling mussels from a shell' were pure early-Beatles McCartney - that clear, high voice. But I hadn't thought of it the other way round. And you're right. Lovely insight! Thank you.
londonemski 1 year ago 5
@SOLISDEUS Very true!!
accordionreid 1 year ago
@SOLISDEUS This is a bealte sound that was obviously copied ( and very well done) by squeeze. Beatles did it first. Squeeze did a good job though.
avalanche344 11 months ago
@avalanche344 Maybe it was a Buddy Holly sound copied by the Beatles and later Squeeze. Overall the new wave movement from late 70' through 80's did not focus on recreating Beatles sound, rather, return to the basics. Yes, Gentle Giant, ELP, Kansas took pop music to a high level and lost some listeners in such lofty heights. New wave always struck me as a back to the basics, three - five cord ditties with a modest Chuck Berry vibe, simple earnest lyrics and occasional synthesizer.
SOLISDEUS 11 months ago
@SOLISDEUS Kansas? lol
Nigelxman1 11 months ago
Great song. Great band. Great time (1979). Kids today don't know what they missed.
lawrev 2 years ago 7
i was born in the 90s and i know how good paul mccartney and wings were i love them and the beatles too
fuzzy1012 2 years ago 4
True.
djminimoto 2 years ago
A feel good song , which is always his strong point, could be a reason why he was never a fave with the critics
aafxa2 2 years ago 4
You mean feel good like "Blackbird" or " Eleanor Rigby" or " Golden Slumbers"
okltsply 2 years ago 2
His heart always toward the light no matter how dark the tunnel was.
Ariamaluum 2 years ago
Listen "Somedays", or "Jenny Wren", or "Too Much Rain", or "Dear Boy", or "Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight"...
luzeeana 2 years ago
he was never a fave with critics because critics don't know shit about music and are mostly frustrated writers. they listen for literature set to weak music, which tragically leads to exalting the mediocrity of van morrison and tom petty, dave matthews and later even Dylan, who thought he was creating important literature. McCartney wrote enigmatic tone poems at his best, not "feel good" songs. Bruce Springsteen is another critic's darling who isn't worth a cold lump of shit.
cobaltjones 2 years ago 10
Totally agree with you.
I've just read the most mean and wretched critic about the album Back to the Egg. It's from 1979, and guess what... it's from Rolling Stone, the same source of all that exalted critics about mediocre artists.
luzeeana 2 years ago 4
Perhaps the best and most thought provoking comments I've seen on YT in a while. Good observation dude. I will say that Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love" is spectacular lyrically. Spot on about Matthews and Dylan.
YZippy 2 years ago
Re: Your statement about Springsteen=understatement of the year.
lurch321 2 years ago
¿Hace ya 30 años que salió este disco? Sí, en serio. Yo lo compré en acetato y lo escuché hasta aprenderlo de memoria. "I'm getting closer my salamander". Es grato escuchar este tema hoy en día, más aun sabiendo que Linda McCartney y Denny Lane ya fallecieron. Y el viejo Paul... bueno, lo seguimos queriendo mucho.
Mauref 2 years ago
Denny Lane no ha muerto.
20010608 2 years ago
This and Ram are my favorite albums.....remember those?
Sungodv 2 years ago 2
Thank you for posting. Love this album!!!
tayjay2g 2 years ago
Me too great opening track if you don't count "Reception", I've not got a fave track on it love them all
davekm43 2 years ago
I was never a huge Beatles fan. I liked Paul McCartney and Wings much more.
vegaslover777 2 years ago
how? :(
Mikestrumsguitar 2 years ago
ono don't answer ono!!!!
maccaracas 2 years ago 5
great song
Jake520520 2 years ago
Paul can sure make the POP songs that last! Thanks for posting this excellent song!
Jordmate 2 years ago 2
I always thought the instrumental ending to this could have made a great theme for some TV programme. It's just brilliant and almost a song on its own. Alas, no-one took up the mantle.
deansgatedora 3 years ago
Thanks for the info Monkey - I guess lyrics can go to different people different meanings, but I still feel that Paul was extremely angry over this woman pulling John apart. Read Tony Bramwell's "Magical Mystery Tours" or Albert Grossman's "Lives of John Lennon". I feel they are closer to the truth than anything, especially anything from Yoko's PR man, Eliot Mintz. Read both of those books, then come back and give me your objective answer.
danastev924 3 years ago 2
i've read those, i know Eliot Mintz is a sycophant twirp, and all those books are questionable, although great reads. i've been reading everything i could my hands on since i was a kid when Hunter Davies book came out in 1968, and one of the most honest accounts of that period from an insider who got as inside as someone could get, was Francie Schwartz' book Body Count. read that, if you can find it, and then you get back to me. There was a lot of drama going on besides Yoko. Francie was there!
monkeymichel 2 years ago
Grossman's book is complete bullcrap, pot-shotting targets he knows are dead and can't fight back.
jaystarstar 2 years ago
I felt the same way before I read the one he did on Lennon. However, hearing many of the stories that went on with John over the course of his life, Grossman doesn't sound too far from the truth. He give his take on Lennon more sinister, but hearing all the other stories from other reliable sources (Bramwell, his first wife Cynthia, Mal, Neil and Brian), Lennon's entire life was quite dark. I would disagree with you in terms of Grossman's book being complete bull.
danastev924 2 years ago
Yeah I wish this was on the McCartney years also. Love this!
deanb92 3 years ago 3
Shame vids like this and old siam sir are missing on the mccartney years dvd. Would rather have had a complete set of vids than the live stuff.
richardsnow 3 years ago
for some reason Paul doesn't seem to have as much confidence in Back To The Egg. it was a relatively big flop when it came out, i still remember the day because i worked at a record store. but i loved it. and it seemed to fit in with the minimalism of punk, which was brand new. it just didn't seem as big as Wings previous records, especially after the Wings Over America 3-record set had been so massive the previous year. Paul thought BTTE was another hit, and was very disappointed.
monkeymichel 2 years ago
i recently read an interview with Steve Holly from Wings, drummer on BTTE, who said that Paul didn't seem to be very happy during the last Wings tour. Holly said after one show he congratulated themselves after a show well done, thinking they played great, but Paul remarked that it had sucked. Paul never seemed to be happy with the last Wings line-up and felt that they weren't tight or as rehearsed as the previous line-up with Jimmy & Joe, his favorite line up. by 1979, Paul lost interest.
monkeymichel 2 years ago
I always liked this tune. Havent heard it in years. An underplayed song. Thanks for the post.
anakina1 3 years ago 3
"Ono don't answer", like John and Paul might work on something together if Yoko wouldn't stand in the way of it.
SabbathMobRules 3 years ago 11
I watched The Beatles Secrets on the BBC the other day. May Pang talked about John and Paul discussing a reunion that was gonna happen around 1974. Of course John went back with Yoko and that dream died. Larry Kane who followed The Beatles during their 1964 tour said that John told him in the 70"s that he was the happiest when he was with May Pang. Oh well, Yoko was the final nail in the Beatles coffin.
beatleddie 3 years ago
SabbathMobRules, thank you -- You hit it on the head. Lennon did all those so called hidden clues, but Paul did a bunch as well. For example, read into "Get Back", and change the name of "Jojo" to another 4-lettered first name with the letter "O" occupying the 2nd and 4th spots. "All the girls around, they said 'she has it coming', but she gets 'it' while she can" John was screwing women left and right. Paul, you are a clever fox.
danastev924 3 years ago 3
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monkeymichel 3 years ago
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monkeymichel 3 years ago
Hey Jude was written for John's son. John was going through a divorce with Cindy.
dtt1900 2 years ago
yeah, we all know the story of how Paul was on his way to see Julian and the song came to him, blah blah blah. lol. yeah that's the popular story that Paul sticks to. but you need to learn about Francie Schwartz, who was Paul's girlfriend between Jane and Linda (not to mention Peggy Lipton and some random groupies) who tells how Paul worked on Hey Jude while she was living with him. She wrote one of the best accounts, in her book Body Count, about living with Paul and her influence on that song.
monkeymichel 2 years ago
Paul has actually said that Hey Jude was about him. It started out as "Hey Jules, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better." So that part could have referred to Julian. But "remember to let her into your heart" cannot be taken as having anything to do with a five year old. John heard it as a song to him.
mb7668 2 years ago
John's wife was Cynthia, by the way. or some call her Cyn. but never has she been referred to as Cindy. also, there are a lot of Beatle myths, perpetuated by the Beatles themselves. i'm afraid the writing of Hey Jude is one of them. Paul wrote the song fro Francie Schwartz, who was a Jewish American writer who worked at Apple in 1968 and was Paul's live-in girlfriend. She was the direct influence on him for that song. some of the lines in the song are her direct quotes to him. She was Jude.
monkeymichel 2 years ago