Written by: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Hamish Stuart, Robbie McIntosh, Paul Wickens, Chris Whitten
Recorded: 26-28 April; 11 October 1989
Producer: Bruce Forest
Released: 23 November 1989
Available on:
McCartney II (2011 reissue)
Personnel
Paul McCartney: vocals
Linda McCartney: vocals, tambourine
Robbie McIntosh: vocals, electric guitar
Hamish Stuart: vocals, bass guitar
Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens: vocals, synthesizer
Chris Whitten: drums
‘Party Party’ was a bonus single released as part of Paul McCartney’s World Tour Pack edition of Flowers In The Dirt.
The song emerged from a jam during rehearsals for McCartney’s World Tour, and was credited to all members of his band. It was recorded at Hog Hill Mill in April 1989, plus further overdubs in October. The Put It There VHS video contained footage of the first recording session.
The World Tour Pack version of Flowers In The Dirt was released in November 1989. In addition to the ‘Party Party’ single, it contained a poster of the band, a family tree by Pete Frame detailing McCartney’s various groups, tour itinerary, six postcards, and a bumper sticker which proclaimed: “I’d rather be listening to McCartney.”
The pack came in two editions. The vinyl version had a one-sided 7″ containing ‘Party Party’, while the other contained a 3″ CD single.
In February 1990 a compilation titled Paul McCartney ROCKS was released in the US. It contained an edit of ‘Party Party’ which reduced the running time from 5:36 to 3:40.
Also in 1990, a Japanese edition of Flowers In The Dirt contained a bonus CD which included ‘Party Party’.
The song was also released as a 12″ promo single, which contained a longer 6:17 version on the b-side, known as the Bruce Forest Club Mix. Just 200 copies were made and sent to club DJs in the UK, US, and Europe.
The 7″ single of ‘Party Party’ was included in the 2022 box set The 7″ Singles Box.