PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS - MY LOVE

Released : March 23, 1973

Charted:  UK: #9  US: #1 (4 weeks)

"My Love" by Paul McCartney and Wings, released as the lead single from their 1973 album "Red Rose Speedway," is a love song dedicated to McCartney's wife and bandmate, Linda. Notably, this single marked the first time Paul McCartney's name appeared in the artist credit for a Wings record, as their previous releases had been credited to Wings alone. The decision to credit the release to "Paul McCartney & Wings" instead of Wings alone was influenced by the belief that the lackluster sales of Wings' 1971 debut, "Wild Life", were partly due to the public being unaware of McCartney's involvement. The name change persisted with the release of "Red Rose Speedway" on 30 April 1973, continuing the joint billing of Paul McCartney and Wings. The song's success contributed to the commercial prosperity of the album.

Recording "My Love" with an orchestra, Paul McCartney allowed guitarist Henry McCullough to improvise the solo in the final take. McCartney, who had written the solo as he often did with their solos, was initially uncertain about McCullough's request to try something else. McCullough's decision to change the solo turned out to be a career-defining moment for him, as McCartney rarely had his decisions overruled in the studio. McCullough's improvised solo on "My Love" became a notable element of the song and left a lasting impact on both musicians.

Paul McCartney wrote "My Love" as a piano ballad, a love song to his wife Linda, early in their relationship, likely around 1969 or 1970. After forming the band Wings with Linda in 1971, McCartney included "My Love" in the set lists for the group's concert tours in 1972. During Wings' public debut performance at Nottingham University on February 9, 1972, Linda sang lines in response to McCartney's lead vocal, adding a unique touch to the song. The live performance closely resembled the version later recorded for official release.

After Linda's passing in 1998, Paul McCartney chose "My Love" to be part of the musical program at the memorial services held in her memory, both in London and New York City. McCartney, deeply affected by grief, expressed his emotions publicly and organized the services with a level of professionalism akin to his concert performances, according to biographer Howard Sounes.