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Wings discography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paul McCartney and Wings discography
Paul and Linda McCartney performing with Wings in 1976
Studio albums7
Live albums1
Compilation albums2
Singles29
Video albums1
Music videos19

The discography of the British-American rock band Wings, also known as Paul McCartney and Wings, consisted of seven studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, 29 singles and 19 music videos. Founded in 1971 by former Beatle Paul McCartney, his wife Linda McCartney, Denny Laine and Denny Seiwell after the release of the McCartneys' album Ram, the band made their debut with Wild Life, released in December that year.[1] The album garnered minimal commercial success and received generally poor reviews.[2] In 1972, the band added Henry McCullough to the lineup and released several non-album singles,[3] including "Give Ireland Back to the Irish", "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and "Hi, Hi, Hi",[2] before releasing their second album, Red Rose Speedway, in 1973.[4] While receiving mixed reviews,[2] the album and its lead single, "My Love" were huge commercial successes, both reaching number one in the US charts.[5] Wings' continued their commercial success with the title track to the James Bond film Live and Let Die.[2] At the beginning of the recording sessions for their next album, McCullough and Seiwell left the band prompting the McCartneys and Laine to record their next album as a trio.[6][7] Backed by the successful singles, "Jet" and the title track,[8][9] the album, Band on the Run, became Wings' most successful album, reaching number one in both the US and the UK.[10] The album also garnered highly positive reviews from critics and significantly restored McCartney's tarnished post-Beatles reputation.[2][11][12]

Following Band on the Run, Scottish musician Jimmy McCulloch and English drummer Geoff Britton joined the band and recorded their next single, "Junior's Farm".[2] During the sessions for their follow-up album, Britton left the band and was replaced by American musician Joe English.[13] Backed by the number one single "Listen to What the Man Said", the album, Venus and Mars, wasn't as well-received as Band on the Run, but was nevertheless a commercial success, reaching number one. After Venus and Mars, the band embarked on a highly successful world tour in 1975. Their fifth album, Wings at the Speed of Sound, was recorded and released in between legs of the tour. The album saw the first time a Wings' album featured every member on lead vocals at least once.[14] While the album received lukewarm reviews,[14] it was a commercial success, supported by the number one singles, "Silly Love Songs" and "Let 'Em In".[15][16] The live album Wings over America was released after the tour's end and was a huge commercial success, becoming the band's fifth number one album.[17]

In late 1977, Wings' released "Mull of Kintyre" as a double A-side with "Girls' School".[2] The single reached number one in the UK and remains one of the best selling UK singles of all time.[18][19] After "Mull of Kintyre", the band released their next studio album, London Town, in 1978.[2] Preceded by the successful hit, "With a Little Luck",[20] the album was another commercial success for the group,[2] and received positive reviews from critics.[21] Despite strong album sales, the post-album singles, "I've Had Enough" and "London Town", were not as successful.[20] After the album's release, McCulloch and English both left the group.[2][21] The band followed London Town with the successful single "Goodnight Tonight" in 1979.[20] The band's next album, Back to the Egg, saw the addition of Laurence Juber and Steve Holley to the lineup.[22] Released in 1979, Back to the Egg was a major failure, received very negative reviews from critics and failed to produce any hits.[23][24] After the band toured the UK, McCartney was arrested in Japan for possession of marijuana, cancelling a planned tour in 1980.[citation needed] After McCartney released his second solo album, McCartney II, Wings officially disbanded in 1981.[2]

Albums

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[25]
AUS
[26]
CAN
[27]
GER
[28]
ITA
[29]
JPN
[30]
NLD
[31][32]
NOR
[33][34]
US
[35]
Wild Life
  • Released: 7 December 1971
  • Label: Apple
11 3 5 47 25 15 6 4 10
Red Rose Speedway
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
  • Released: 4 May 1973
  • Label: Apple
5 1 2 56 2 13 6 4 1
Band on the Run
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
  • Released: 5 December 1973
  • Label: Apple
1 1 1 15 18 11 5 1 1
Venus and Mars
  • Released: 27 May 1975
  • Label: Capitol
1 2 1 11 11 9 5 1 1
Wings at the Speed of Sound
  • Released: 26 March 1976[44]
  • Label: Capitol
2 2 1 32 8 4 3 2 1
London Town
  • Released: 31 March 1978
  • Label: Parlophone (UK)
    Capitol (US)
4 2 3 6 8 4 1 2 2
Back to the Egg
  • Released: 8 June 1979
  • Label: Parlophone (worldwide)
    Columbia (North America)
6 3 2 16 10 7 11 5 8

Live albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[25]
AUS
[26]
AUT
[52]
CAN
[27]
GER
[28]
JPN
[30]
NLD
[31]
NOR
[33]
NZL
[53]
US
[35]
Wings over America
  • Released: 10 December 1976
  • Label: Capitol
8 2 12 1 9 4 10 7 3 1

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Album Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[25]
AUS
[26][55]
CAN
[27]
GER
[28]
JPN
[30]
NLD
[31]
NOR
[33]
NZL
[53]
SWE
[56]
US
[35]
Wings Greatest
  • Released: 2 November 1978
5 8 25 18 24 18 20 16 32 29
Wingspan: Hits and History
(Paul McCartney)
  • Released: 7 May 2001
5 14 4 20 13 32 5 13 49 2
One Hand Clapping
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
  • Released: 14 June 2024
  • Label: Apple
10 4 11 10 74

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK US US
AC
CAN
RPM 100/AC
NLD NOR GER NZ AUS JPN
1972 "Give Ireland Back to the Irish"
"Give Ireland Back to the Irish" (instrumental)
16 21 46 17 31 non-album single
"Mary Had a Little Lamb"
"Little Woman Love"
9 28 29 41 13 13 17 41 non-album single
"Hi, Hi, Hi"
"C Moon"
5 10 5 6 4 16 20 29 26 non-album single
1973 "My Love"
"The Mess" (live)
9 1 1 2 12 7 43 3 5 39 Red Rose Speedway
"Live and Let Die"
"I Lie Around"
9 2 8 2 29 4 31 20 5 25 Live and Let Die
"Helen Wheels"
"Country Dreamer"
12 10 4 23 33 14 17 56 Band on the Run (US only)
"Jet"
"Let Me Roll It" (UK & 2nd pressings of US)
"Mamunia" (US 1st pressings only)
7 7 5 10 9 6 2 39 Band on the Run
"Mrs Vandebilt" (Not a US/UK single)
"Bluebird"
7 33 9 41
1974 "Band on the Run"
"Zoo Gang" (UK)
"Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" (US)
3 1 22 1 7 22 1 58
"Junior's Farm"
"Sally G"
16 3 10 9 3 12 77 non-album single
"Walking in the Park with Eloise"
"Bridge On the River Suite"
(both sides credited to The Country Hams)
non-album single
1975 "Listen to What the Man Said"
"Love in Song"
6 1 8 1 18 3 42 7 14 46 Venus and Mars
"Letting Go"
"You Gave Me the Answer"
41 39 62 34 64
"Venus and Mars/Rock Show"
"Magneto and Titanium Man"
12 12 34 99
1976 "Silly Love Songs"
"Cook of the House"
2 1 1 1 11 9 14 8 20 66 Wings at the Speed of Sound
"Let 'Em In"
"Beware My Love"
2 3 1 3 25 29 13 65
1977 "Maybe I'm Amazed" (live)
"Soily" (live)
28 10 9 61 Wings over America
"Seaside Woman"
"B Side to Seaside"
(both sides credited to Suzy and the Red Stripes)
59 non-album single
"Mull of Kintyre"
"Girls' School"
1
33
45
44
34
1 2 1 1 1 69 non-album single
1978 "With a Little Luck"
"Backwards Traveller/Cuff Link"
5 1 5 1 11 6 17 14 11 London Town
"I've Had Enough"
"Deliver Your Children"
42 25 24 13 99
"London Town"
"I'm Carrying"
60 39 17 32
1979 "Goodnight Tonight"
"Daytime Nighttime Suffering"
5 5 30 2 24 34 6 6 77 non-album single
"Old Siam, Sir" (UK/Europe single only)
"Spin It On"
35 Back to the Egg
"Getting Closer"
"Baby's Request" (UK)
"Spin It On" (US)
60 20 18 29 57
"Arrow Through Me" (US/Canada single only)
"Old Siam, Sir"
29 27
1980 "Coming Up" (Paul McCartney)
"Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)" (Paul McCartney & Wings)
"Lunchbox/Odd Sox"
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
2 1 48 1 20 2 11 2 2 66 McCartney II
1985 "Spies Like Us"
(Paul McCartney)
"My Carnival"
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
13 7 24 55 non-album single
1990 "Put It There"
(Paul McCartney)
"Mama's Little Girl"
"Same Time Next Year" (12" single only)
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
32 11 9 82 60 Flowers in the Dirt
2016 "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" remix
(Wings vs. Timo Maas and James Teej)
non-album single
"—" denotes singles that did not chart or were not released in respective region

Other appearances

[edit]
Year Album Artist Comment
1973 Live and Let Die George Martin The soundtrack album from the James Bond film includes the title song performed by Paul McCartney & Wings.
1974 McGear Mike McGear Paul McCartney's brother Michael (then known as Mike McGear of The Scaffold) album that featured him on lead vocals and as co-lyricist with Wings being a backing band.
1975 Sold Out The Scaffold Paul McCartney produced and Wings was the uncredited backing band on "Liverpool Lou" and the non-album B-side "Ten Years After on Strawberry Jam".
1977 Holly Days Denny Laine An album of Buddy Holly covers recorded by the core Wings threesome (Paul, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine), with Laine on lead vocals.
1980 Japanese Tears Three songs on the album, "Send Me The Heart", "I Would Only Smile" and "Weep For Love", were recorded by different incarnations of Wings, with Denny Laine on lead vocals.
1981 Concerts for the People of Kampuchea Various Artists A live album recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in December 1979 to benefit Cambodian refugees, the album includes three songs performed by Wings ("Got to Get You into My Life", "Every Night", "Coming Up") and three songs performed by supergroup Rockestra ("Lucille", "Let It Be", "Rockestra Theme")
1982 Standard Time Laurence Juber The song "Maisie" is performed by Wings.
1998 Wide Prairie Linda McCartney Eight of the tracks featured different versions of Wings: previously unreleased "Wide Prairie", "New Orleans", "Love's Full Glory", "I Got Up" and "Oriental Nightfish", two tracks that were originally attributed to and released under Suzy and the Red Stripes, "Seaside Woman" and "B-Side to Seaside", and "Cook of the House" from Wings at the Speed of Sound
2003 Music from the Motion Picture The In-Laws Various Artists The soundtrack to the 2003 re-make of the film, The In-Laws includes three songs performed by Wings: previously unreleased "A Love for You", an alternate version of "Live and Let Die", and "I'm Carrying" from London Town album.

Videography

[edit]

Video albums

[edit]
Title Album details Notes
Rockshow
(Paul McCartney & Wings)
  • Released: 26 November 1980
Concert/Documentary of the 1976 "Wings Over America" tour.

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Director
1972 "Hi, Hi, Hi" Steven Turner
"C Moon"
1973 "My Love" Mick Rock
"Helen Wheels" Michael Lindsay-Hogg
1974 "Mamunia" Jim Quick
"Band on the Run" Michael Coulson
1976 "Silly Love Songs" Gordon Bennett
1977 "Mull of Kintyre" Michael Lindsay-Hogg
1978 "With a Little Luck"
"I've Had Enough" Keith "Keef" MacMillan
"London Town" Michael Lindsay-Hogg
1979 "Getting Closer" Keith "Keef" MacMillan
"Baby's Request"
"Old Siam, Sir"
"Winter Rose/Love Awake"
"Spin It On"
"Again and Again and Again"
"Arrow Through Me"
"Goodnight Tonight"

Documentaries

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1979 Wings Over the World
  • Released: 1979
Documentary
1980 Concert for Kampuchea
  • Released: August 1980
Concert film that covers the concerts in Hammersmith Odeon to raise money for Cambodia.
1981 Back to the Egg
  • Released: 10 June 1981
TV special
2001 Wingspan – An Intimate Portrait
  • Released: 13 November 2001
Documentary about Paul McCartney's musical career. It covers the period after the Beatles' split up until the disbanding of Wings.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wild Life – Wings / Paul McCartney". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wings – Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  3. ^ Miles & Badman 2001.
  4. ^ Mulligan 2010, p. 150.
  5. ^ "Red Rose Speedway – Paul McCartney, Wings: Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  6. ^ Emerick 2006, p. 337.
  7. ^ Perone 2012, p. 585.
  8. ^ Rodriguez 2010, pp. 262–263.
  9. ^ Madinger & Easter 2000, p. 186.
  10. ^ "Official Charts: Paul McCartney". The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  11. ^ Ghosh, Palash (16 July 2013). "Band on the Run: 40 Years Ago, Paul McCartney Saved His Career with an Album Made Under Duress in Nigeria". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  12. ^ Frontani 2009, pp. 166–167.
  13. ^ Bronson 2003, p. 418.
  14. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wings at the Speed of Sound – Wings / Paul McCartney". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  15. ^ McGee 2003, p. 232.
  16. ^ Whitburn 2002, p. 163.
  17. ^ "Wings Over America". paulmccartney.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  18. ^ ""Mull of Kintyre"/"Girls' School"". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  19. ^ "UK Top 10 Best Selling Singles". UK Charts. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  20. ^ a b c "Wings – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  21. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "London Town – Wings / Paul McCartney". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  22. ^ McGee 2003, p. 120.
  23. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Back to the Egg – Wings / Paul McCartney". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  24. ^ Rodriguez 2010, p. 269.
  25. ^ a b c Peaks in the UK
  26. ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  27. ^ a b c "Wings Top Albums positions". RPM. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  28. ^ a b c "Discographie von Wings". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Album" (in Italian). hitparadeitalia.it. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  30. ^ a b c "Paul McCartney Japanese Album Chart listings". Original Confidence. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  31. ^ a b c "dutchcharts.nl - Discographie Wings" (ASP) (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  32. ^ "dutchcharts.nl - Discographie Paul McCartney" (ASP) (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  33. ^ a b c "norwegiancharts.com - Discography Wings" (ASP). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  34. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - Discography Paul McCartney" (ASP). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  35. ^ a b c "Paul McCartney Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  36. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Wildlife")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  37. ^ a b c d e f "Gold and Platinum Search". Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  38. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Red Rose Speedway")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010. Note: User needs to enter "Wings" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field, "Album" in the "Format" field and click the "Go" button.
  40. ^ "Gold and Platinum Search". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  41. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Band on the Run")". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  42. ^ "French album certifications – Paul McCartney" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 15 March 2022. Select PAUL MCCARTNEY and click OK. 
  43. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Venus & Mars")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  44. ^ "BPI".
  45. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Speed of Sound")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  46. ^ a b "French album certifications – Wings" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 15 March 2022. Select WINGS and click OK. 
  47. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "London Town")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  48. ^ "Wings' 'London Town' Goes Platinum in Aust" (PDF). Cash Box. 13 May 1978. p. 49. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  49. ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wings)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  50. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Wings – London Town" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter London Town in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  51. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Back to the Egg")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  52. ^ "Discographie Wings" (in German). austriancharts.at Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  53. ^ a b "Paul McCartney New Zealand Album Chart listings". New Zealand. Retrieved 26 July 2007.
  54. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Over America")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  55. ^ "Paul McCartney discography". australian-charts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  56. ^ "swedishcharts.com - Discography Wings". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  57. ^ a b "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "All The Best")". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  58. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by albums entitled "Back in the U.S.")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2001 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  60. ^ "RIANZ - Top 50 Albums". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  61. ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010. Note: User needs to enter "Wingspan" in the "Search" field, "Title" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button.
  62. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "My Love")". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  63. ^ a b c d e f g h i "British certifications – Wings". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 June 2022. Type Wings in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  64. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Live & Let Die")". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  65. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Band on the Run")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  66. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Listen to What the Man Said")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  67. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Silly Love Songs")". riaa.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  68. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "In")". riaa.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  69. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Good Night Tonight")". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  70. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Wings". Music Canada. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  71. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum (Searching results by single entitled "Coming Up")". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.

Bibliography

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