WINGS - MULL OF KINTYRE

Released : November 11, 1977

Charted:  UK: #1 (9 weeks)  

"Mull of Kintyre" holds a special place in Wings' discography as a song written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine to pay homage to the picturesque Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where McCartney has owned High Park Farm since 1966. The single achieved remarkable success in the UK, becoming Wings' most significant hit in the country. It secured the coveted Christmas number one spot in 1977 and went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time in the United Kingdom, surpassing two million copies in sales nationwide.

"Mull of Kintyre" was recorded on August 9, 1977, at Spirit of Ranachan Studio, located at High Park Farm in Scotland. This recording took place during a break in the sessions for the London Town album due to Linda McCartney's advanced pregnancy. The song featured the distinctive sound of Great Highland bagpipes played by the Campbeltown Pipe Band from the nearby town of Campbeltown. Paul McCartney's vocals and acoustic guitar were recorded outdoors, adding to the song's organic and natural feel. Released as a double A-sided single on November 11, 1977, alongside "Girls' School," the track became a significant success independently of the album.

"Mull of Kintyre" originated in 1974, featuring on an early home demo known as "The Piano Tape." Initially composed on the piano, the song's lyrics, primarily the completed chorus and some fragments that would later be part of the final version, were already present at this early stage. The first verse, which also serves as the recurring chorus, expresses admiration for the natural beauty of the Mull of Kintyre region and the sense of home it evokes. McCartney shared that the song was a love ode to the area where they lived, capturing his appreciation for Scotland and his desire to be there, even when away.

The official music video for "Mull of Kintyre" was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and filmed at Saddell Bay on the eastern side of the Kintyre peninsula. The location was approximately seven miles from High Park Farm, where the song was recorded, and the video was shot about two months after the song's recording. In the video, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine perform the song against the scenic backdrop of Saddell Bay. The Campbeltown Pipe Band is featured, marching and playing on the beach. The video concludes with a bonfire singalong, including extras from Campbeltown. This visual representation added to the song's appeal and was showcased on nine regular editions of Top of the Pops when "Mull of Kintyre" held the number one position.

In an effort to cater to the American audience's potential preference, Paul McCartney included "Girl's School", a semi-pornographic rocker, as the B-side of the single. Despite the success of "Mull of Kintyre" becoming a massive hit in various parts of the world, it did not achieve the same level of success in the United States. However, "Girl's School" did manage to crack the US top 40. The divergent reception in the US compared to the song's global success reflects the varied tastes and expectations of audiences in different regions.