Wings had been meet with lackluster commercial interest when they debuted in 1971 with Wild Life. Because of this, the band decided to capitalize on what they had for their second album, Red Rose Speedway: they added Paul McCartney’s name front and center.
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In 1973 they released Red Rose Speedway credited as Paul McCartney and Wings with the hope that clearly stating there was a former Beatle in the band would lead to greater commercial success. However, their second album was plagued with contention and disappointment.
During recording, publishing company EMI reminded Wings of their flop with Wild Life. Wings initially wanted Red Rose Speedway to be a double album, but EMI and Paul McCartney cut it to a single LP while citing the abysmal sales in 1971.
Guitarists Henry McCullough and Denny Laine later expressed disappointment with the songs McCartney chose for the final album. Laine felt that the original album was “more of a showcase for the band,” according to the 2010 companion book The Beatles Solo on Apple Records. Cutting it down essentially cheapened the product and didn’t show off the band’s best work.
Henry McCullough, Denny Laine, and Linda McCartney All Expressed Disappointment for Red Rose Speedway
Red Rose Speedway was disappointing for the members of Wings for a few reasons. For Denny Laine, he felt that some of the best songs were cut. This included two of his compositions, “I Would Only Smile” and “I Lie Around.” Laine played guitar and sang lead vocals on both of these songs.
McCullough, meanwhile, felt that the album was far too light. Some of McCartney’s heavier compositions were cut, songs that were more aligned with what Wings wanted to be: a rock band.
Linda McCartney shared her disappointment in the record as well when she spoke with Sounds magazine in 1976. Allegedly, Red Rose Speedway felt simultaneously unfinished and rushed. For Linda, this showed a band that was in the midst of a tumultuous time.
“Red Rose Speedway was such a non-confident record,” she said at the time. “There were some beautiful songs […] there was ‘My Love,’ but something was missing. We needed a heavier sound. It was a terribly unsure period.”
Despite issues behind the scenes, Red Rose Speedway went to No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 5 in the U.K. upon its release. The lead single “My Love” also climbed the charts, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts and peaking at No. 9 on the U.K. Singles chart.
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