Eight Arms To Hold You

Album: not on an album (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Although not the first song with this title ever to be recorded, this is almost certainly the first one ever written.

    The Beatles played the Gaumont, Bournemouth from August 19-24, 1963, and one of the fans who attended one of those concerts was a not-quite-18-year-old Al Stewart, who at that time was striking out on his own musical career.

    His epic song "Love Chronicles," released seven years later, mentions "playing electric guitar with the beat group" as well as losing his virginity in one of Bournemouth's pleasure gardens!

    On this occasion though, he managed to bluff his way backstage to speak to his heroes, and he wrote this rather obviously titled song in imitation of them. Then he sat on it for over half a century! It was first performed live on his 2019 UK Hits & Misses tour in which he explained its genesis, and although by that time he was 74 years old, he and his much younger backing band The Empty Pockets performed it with the youthful enthusiasm of its teenage composer. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.