"Sarah" was recorded at Morgan Studios in Willesden, and Moore completed all the guitar work, with American Mark Nauseef playing drums.

Neither of the other members of Thin Lizzy (guitarist Scott Gorham and drummer Brian Downey) played on the song, implying that "Sarah" was originally intended for a Phil Lynott solo album.

I thought it might end up on Phil's solo record," he added, and suggested that the song only appeared on Black Rose because Lynott was one track short for the album.

[5]: 147 The accompanying video for the song was filmed in early October at Hewitt Studios, and directed by David Mallet.

[7] The song was performed on the British BBC TV chart programme Top of the Pops in November 1979, after Moore had left the band.