I'm Carrying

"I'm Carrying" is a song written by Paul McCartney that was first released on Wings' 1978 album London Town. It was also released as the B-side of the "London Town" single.[1] In 2003 it was later released on the soundtrack to the film The In-Laws.[1]

"I'm Carrying"
Single by Wings
from the album London Town
A-side"London Town"
Released26 August 1978
RecordedMay 1977
GenreSoft rock
Length2:44
LabelParlophone/EMI (UK)
Capitol (US)
Songwriter(s)Paul McCartney
Producer(s)Paul McCartney

Lyrics and music

"I'm Carrying" is a gentle love song.[1][2] Although Linda McCartney, Paul's wife, was a member of Wings, the song was not inspired by her but rather by a former girlfriend of Paul McCartney's.[2][3][4] The song has a simple structure, with two verses and a refrain.[2] In the first verse, McCartney sings that he will come to his lover's room after an absence bringing gifts and a carnation.[2] In the second verse, he sings that he has been away for a long time and wonders if his return will lack style.[2] The refrain simply notes that he is carrying something for his lover.[2]

"I'm Carrying" is in the key of E major and based on four chords.[2] McCartney originally recorded the song accompanied by just his acoustic guitar during the London Town sessions aboard the stern of the yacht Fair Carol in the Virgin Islands on 5 May 1977.[1][3] In December 1977, he overdubbed orchestral strings and he also overdubbed his own playing of an electric guitar using a Gizmo.[1][2][3] The Gizmo is a device invented by 10cc members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, which allows a guitar to be played by vibrating the strings rather than plucking them.[1][2]

Critical reception

Author John Blaney notes that "I'm Carrying" expresses sentiments similar to those McCartney sang on the Beatles' "Yesterday," noting that "I'm Carrying" is "less adventurous melodically but no less welcoming."[1] Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine calls it "nice" and "understated."[5] George Harrison chose "I'm Carrying" as his favorite song from London Town.[3] CD Review described the song as a "silly love song that's sweet, simple, and tuneful."[6] Billboard Magazine's Timothy White considers the song one of McCartney's post-Beatle peaks.[7] Jim Beviglia of Culture Sonar described the melody as being "as romantic as a moonlit slow dance."[8]

Other appearances

Wings' version of "I'm Carrying" was used in the soundtrack for the film The In-Laws in 2003.[1][5][9][10] The song is also incorporated in the soundtrack to the Greg MacGillivray film To the Arctic 3D, including for a scene in which a mother polar bear plays with her cubs.[11][12]

Sham Rock covered "I'm Carrying" on their 2004 album The Album.[13] Guitarist Phil Keaggy played the song with Paul McCartney at the wedding of Linda McCartney's sister Laura Eastman.[14]

References
  1. Blaney, J. (2007). Lennon and McCartney: together alone: a critical discography of their solo work. Jawbone Press. pp. 123–125, 264. ISBN 978-1-906002-02-2.
  2. Benitez, V.P. (2010). The Words and Music of Paul McCartney: The Solo Years. Praeger. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-313-34969-0.
  3. Madiger, C.; Easter, M. (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You. 44.1 Productions. p. 232. ISBN 0-615-11724-4.
  4. Harry, B. (2003). The Paul McCartney encyclopedia. Virgin. p. 442. ISBN 9780753507162.
  5. Erlewine, S.T. "The In-Laws". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  6. CD Review. 7. 1990.
  7. White, T. (14 June 1997). Rediscussion. Billboard Magazine. p. 87. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  8. Beviglia, Jim (October 14, 2017). "The 10 Best Paul McCartney Songs You May Never Have Heard". Culture Sonar. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  9. "For The Record: Quick News On Eminem And Nas, Jack Black, Winona Ryder, Wayne Wonder, Tony Hawk & More". MTV. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  10. Hay, C. (10 May 2003). "Soundtracks". Billboard Magazine. p. 19. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  11. "Take a Journey To The Arctic in IMAX® Theatres Starting Friday". PR Newswire. April 18, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  12. "To the Arctic" (PDF). imax.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-13. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  13. "The Album". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  14. Maissey, J. (3 April 2008). "Guitar Phil Keaggy brings his album to life". hamptonroads.com. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
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