"Old Siam, Sir" is a single written by Paul McCartney and released on Wings' 1979 album, Back to the Egg. It was the A-side of the UK version of the single, reaching No. 35. The B-side, "Spin It On" in the UK was also a track from the album, "Back to the Egg". "Old Siam, Sir" was also the B-side of the US single "Arrow Through Me". The song was later included on The 7" Singles Box in 2022.
Recording Wings recorded "Old Siam, Sir" on 18 July 1978 at a studio set up at Spirit of Ranachan farm in Campbeltown.
As originally written, McCartney had the lyrics but the song lacked a bridge. The lack of a bridge was remedied by incorporating an instrumental section that evolved from a jam. Wings drummer Steve Holley, while playing keyboards during a studio session, developed a chord sequence that was eventually used in the instrumental section of the song. According to Wings guitarist Laurence Juber:
The initial recording had Paul McCartney played a Fender Rhodes electric piano, Juber and Denny Laine played electric guitar, and Holley played drums. For the instrumental bridge, Paul McCartney played an Epiphone Casino and Juber played a Gibson Les Paul Custom, with McCartney playing the lower part and Juber playing the higher part. Paul McCartney sang the lead vocal.
Mixing was completed on 2 March 1979.
Lyrics and music The lyrics to "Old Siam, Sir" tell a somewhat silly story about a girl coming to the UK from Thailand, which used to be called Siam, in order to find a husband. The quest proved unsuccessful. McCartney said that:
According to producer Chris Thomas, the music was influenced by punk music. It also shows influence of new wave music. McCartney biographer John Blaney described it as "some of the rawest material [McCartney had] recorded in years."
The song's riff attempts to provide an exotic atmosphere. The song's intro, outro and all the verses and instrumental interludes are based on a repeated power chord in the key of E major, followed by D and E notes. The guitar solos are based on A minor chords.
Reception Sounds critic garry Bushell called "Old Siam, Sir" "some spineless pretend-rock from the clapped-out old phony John Lennon." Melody maker critic Vivien Goldman praised the "big, ringing sound" and said that "the song is so stripped down to the hook that you can't miss it. Record Mirror critics James Parade and Monique called it "awful". Blaney called it "gritty but uninspired".
Music critics Roy Carr and Tony Tyler reviewed the single saying "The empurpled shade of Jimi Hendrix signs up for the cast of The King and I". Something Else! critic S. Victor Aaron praised the guitar riff and said that it "would have been a hit in a different time." Fellow Something Else! critic Nick DeRiso also praised the riff but criticized the "borderline racist keyboard signature", although he stated that he is usually "completely absorbed in this track’s clattering attitude."
Music video As with several other songs from Back to the Egg, a music video was shot for "Old Siam, Sir", directed by Keith McMillan. The video shows the band miming a live performance of the song. The video was shot in the Great Hall of Lympne Castle in Kent, England.
Live performances Wings performed "Old Siam, Sir" live as part of the setlist for the Wings UK Tour 1979.
Personnel Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, electric guitar Linda McCartney – keyboards Denny Laine – electric guitar Laurence Juber – electric guitar Steve Holley – drums
Charts + Chart performance for "Old Siam, Sir" Chart (1979) Peakposition
References