Wings Songs Ranked
Paul McCartney and Wings (also known by their original name Wings) were a British-American rock band formed in 1971 by former Beatle Paul McCartney, his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards, session drummer Denny Seiwell, and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine. Wings were noted for frequent personnel changes along with their commercial successes, going through three lead guitarists and four drummers. However, the core trio of the McCartneys and Laine remained intact throughout the group’s existence. In 1977, the band earned their only UK number one single, with “Mull of Kintyre”, which became one of the best-selling singles in history. Wings experienced another line-up shuffle, however, with both McCulloch and English departing before the release of the group’s 1978 album London Town. The McCartneys and Laine again added new members, recruiting guitarist Laurence Juber and drummer Steve Holley. The resulting album, Back to the Egg, was a relative flop, with its singles under-performing and the critical reception negative. During the supporting tour, Paul was arrested in Japan for cannabis possession, putting the band on hold. Despite a final US number one with a live-recorded version of “Coming Up” (1980), after Laine departed from the band, Wings discontinued in 1981. Here are all of Wings songs ranked.
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10. Listen to What the Man Said (Venus and Mars, 1975)
“That band was an encapsulation of an era! The 1970’s. And so it was for a generation of young people, hearing it for the first time, making a lasting impression on young minds still learning. The combination of classical music with electric guitars was simply unheard of!That smooth segue at the end of the song, just when you think it’s over, shows the creative, talented musical genius of Paul McCartney!”
9. Bluebird (Greatest Hits, Volume 2, 2008)
“Interestingly, it would not be until 2008 at a concert in kyiv that this great theme would be played live for the first time. Bluebird (the B-side) instead is yet another one of McCartney’s bland songs, taken from the overhyped Band on the Run.”
8. Let ‘Em In (Wings at the Speed of Sound, 1976)
“I bet Paul smoked a real fat one when he penned “Let ‘Em In.” It’s brilliant, but for the love of Christ I have no idea why. It’s perfect for children and adults alike, a slowly pumping, chilled, drifting pop song with marching-band drums and pipes and brass fills that I can imagine would be equal parts hilarious and genius if you were high.”
See more: Wings Albums Ranked
7. Beware My Love (Wings at the Speed of Sound, 1976)
“Beware My Love” was the obvious epic tune on the slack-lustre “Speed Of Sound” album.Over 6 minutes long, with a perhaps over-dramatic lyric and over-the-top lead vocal to match, nevertheless for me it works with its dramatic punctuation, unrelenting groove and almost ghostly backing vocals.”
6. With a Little Luck (London Town, 1978)
“A little thin; the hooks are still there but they’re repeated to death, and the big key change or middle eight that pre-1975 Paul would have slipped in is notable by its absence. Still friendly enough.”
5. Live and Let Die (Paul Is Live: In Concert on the New World Tour, 1973)
“Live and Let Die” is fun, has it’s movements, and is completely orchestral and rock in nature. Adventurous Paul McCartney, rock shouts and high energy. How this man squeezes so much into three minutes is truly remarkable. You feel like the song itself tips at just over five minutes it takes you on such a ride.”
See more: Get Your Wings Songs Ranked
4. Jet (Band on the Run, 1973)
“Lead single from “Band On The Run”, “Jet” is a thunderous piece of adrenalin which is still indispensable from his live shows, even today. Guitars are twinned with a mighty horn-section to ram home the big fat central riff, while the lyric, inspired initially by the McCartneys’ jet black Labrador pup, is rabble-rousing gibberish, great to scream along to without meaning anything.”
3. Goodnight Tonight (All the Best!, 1987)
“Goodnight Tonight” may be dance oriented, but it isn’t disco. When we consider where disco came from, there’s nothing here in the sense of soul. It’s only disco in the sense that something like “Love Is in the Air” is disco, which is to say “not very much” – it’s pop rock with a Latin beat. “
2. Silly Love Songs (Wings at the Speed of Sound, 1976)
“This song is pretty silly in itself, but that doesn’t bother me much. The bass line is very infectious, as is the horn section. It’s just the length of this song that keeps the score down for me. Shave off a minute – at least – and you really lose nothing.”
1. Band On the Run (Band On the Run, 1973)
“Alright, everyone already knows its made up of 3 parts, so I’ll save the gushing praise for that bit. To me, this is McCartney’s best post-Beatles effort, mixing rock, reggae and finally the singalong ‘Band on the Run’ bit. Brilliant!!”