Broken Arrow (Robbie Robertson song)

"Broken Arrow" is a song by Canadian musician Robbie Robertson, included on his debut solo studio album, Robbie Robertson (1987). Although it was not released as a single, it received airplay in Canada in mid-1988 and reached number 29 on the RPM Top Cancon Singles chart, which ranked songs of Canadian content only. The song was also included as the B-side on the UK formats of "Somewhere Down the Crazy River".^[1][2]

"Broken Arrow" was later popularized by English singer-songwriter Rod Stewart, who included a cover of the track on his 1991 album Vagabond Heart. Stewart's version was released as a single and became a hit in several countries, peaking at number two in Canada and number 20 in the United States. In 1992, this version was released again as a double A-side with Stewart's cover of Elton John's "Your Song" and charted in several additional countries.

Rod Stewart covered "Broken Arrow" and included it as the third track on his 16th studio album, Vagabond Heart.^[5] On August 26, 1991, it was released as the fourth single from the album. This version became a chart hit, rising to number two on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Stewart's 21st top-20 hit on the latter chart.^[6] In the United Kingdom, the song originally reached number 54 on the UK Singles Chart, but in 1992, it was re-released as a double A-side single with Stewart's cover of "Your Song", originally by Elton John; this release peaked at number 41 on the same chart.

UK 7-inch and cassette single (1991)^[7][8]

1. "Broken Arrow"
2. "I Was Only Joking"

UK 10-inch and CD single (1991)^[9][10]

1. "Broken Arrow" (edit)
2. "The Killing of Georgie Pt 1 & 2"
3. "I Was Only Joking"

UK 7-inch and cassette single (1992)^[11][12]

1. "Your Song"
2. "Broken Arrow"

UK 12-inch and CD single (1992)^[13][14]

1. "Your Song"
2. "Broken Arrow"
3. "Mandolin Wind"
4. "The First Cut Is the Deepest"

Credits are lifted from the Vagabond Heart album booklet.^[15]

Studios

• Recorded at Cherokee Studio, Conway Studio (Hollywood, California), and Sarm Studio (London, England)
• Mastered at Precision Mastering (Los Angeles)

Personnel

• Robbie Robertson – writing
• Twinkle Schascle – backing vocals
• Tim Pierce – guitars
• Jimmy Johnson – bass
• Patrick Leonard – keyboards, production
• Jim Keltner – drums
• Luis Conte – percussion
• Lenny Waronker – co-production
• Jerry Jordan – mixing, engineering
• Marc Moreau – engineering assistance
• Stephen Marcussen – mastering