Artist:Wings
Song:Live and Let Die
Album:Wings Greatest
Paul McCartney scored one of his biggest hits with the theme for the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die. It wasn't on a McCartney or Wings album so it's a discography orphan. Live and Let Die producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli contacted McCartney about writing the theme for the film. The screenplay wasn't finished so they sent McCartney Ian Fleming's book. After reading the book, McCartney wrote the song and recorded a demo the next week with producer George Martin. Initially Saltzman thought of getting either Shirley Bassey or Thelma Houston to record it. But Martin told him that McCartney would allow the song to be used only if Wings performed it over the opening credits. McCartney recorded Live and Let Die during the Red Rose Speedway sessions. But he didn't put it on the album. He treated the song like a work assignment. Live and Let Die reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Martin composed the score for the film and the soundtrack is available on CD. I recommend this Wings comp which was released in 1978. In recent years McCartney made a deal with Concord to release his back catalog. Live and Let Die appears on a deluxe edition of Red Rose Speedway and the 4CD box set Pure McCartney. I guess that would be for the completist. It's only in the last couple of years that McCartney's entire catalog has become available again. Here's the video for Live and Let Die by Wings.
I loved the group Wings and have that Album on CD. It is a gem in my book. I like the song "Jet" which is a favorite of mine, but there are others. I do not like the song Live and Let Die. Never appealed to me. Thanks again Frank. David.
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