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London Town (Wings album)

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London Town
Studio album by
Wings
Released31 March 1978
RecordedFebruary 1977 – January 1978
StudioAbbey Road and AIR, London; Waterlemon Cay, Virgin Islands (aboard the yacht Fair Carol)
GenreSoft rock[1][2]
Length51:06
LabelParlophone (UK)
Capitol (US)
ProducerPaul McCartney
Wings chronology
Wings over America
(1976) 		London Town
(1978) 		Wings Greatest
(1978)
Paul McCartney chronology
Thrillington
(1977) 		London Town
(1978) 		Wings Greatest
(1980)
Singles from London Town
  1. "With a Little Luck"
    Released: 20 March 1978
  2. "I've Had Enough"
    Released: 12 June 1978
  3. "London Town"
    Released: 21 August 1978

London Town is the sixth studio album by the British–American rock group Wings. It was released in March 1978, two years after its predecessor, Wings at the Speed of Sound. The album had a long and tumultuous gestation during which the band's tour plans for 1977 were cancelled, due to Linda McCartney becoming pregnant with her and Paul McCartney's fourth child and two members of Wings having departed, leaving the band as a trio comprising Paul, Linda and Denny Laine. Recording sessions were held intermittently over a period of a year, mainly at Abbey Road Studios in London and aboard a luxury yacht in the Virgin Islands.

London Town charted in the top five positions in the UK and the US. It failed to repeat the success of Wings' three previous albums, however, and received mostly unfavourable reviews from music critics. The lead single, "With a Little Luck", was a number 1 hit in the US, but the album's subsequent singles achieved only minor chart success. Also recorded during the sessions was the 1977 non-album single "Mull of Kintyre", which, until 1984, was the best-selling single in UK chart history and remains the UK's best-selling non-charity single to this day.

Background

[edit]

After the commercial success of 1976, with Wings at the Speed of Sound and the well received Wings Over the World tour, Wings' leader Paul McCartney planned on making 1977 a similar year. In February, Wings began recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios, which continued until the end of March. Wings recorded five songs there: "Girls' School", "Name and Address", "London Town", "Children, Children" and Linda McCartney's "B-Side to Seaside". The last was issued as the flip-side of the single "Seaside Woman" (issued under the name "Suzy and the Red Stripes").[3] The initial plan that Wings would tour in the US once more was thwarted by Linda's discovery that she was pregnant with her and Paul's fourth child.[4]: 120–121  With the knowledge that they were not going to tour and had time at their disposal – and once again looking for different locales to record in – Wings found themselves moored on a yacht called Fair Carol in the Virgin Islands[5] during the month of May where several new songs were recorded. Reflecting the nautical locale, the album's working title was Water Wings.[5] As Linda's pregnancy progressed, the band halted the sessions for the album, except for the recording of a new track called "Mull of Kintyre" that August and the completion of the already begun "Girls' School". The two songs were released as a single in late 1977 – Wings' only new release that year.[4]: 121 

Before the single's release came two defections from Wings: drummer Joe English had become homesick for America[4] and returned home, and lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch left Wings to join the Small Faces that September. For the first time since 1973's Band on the Run,[4]: 112  Wings were down to the core three of Paul, Linda and Denny Laine, as reflected on the picture sleeve of the single.[4]

In November, two months after the birth of the McCartneys' son James, and shortly after sessions for London Town resumed, the Scottish tribute "Mull of Kintyre" was released to enormous commercial success.[4] The song became the UK's biggest-selling single, outstripping the Beatles' largest seller "She Loves You".[4] Although it would be topped in 1984 by Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", "Mull of Kintyre" still ranks as the UK's fourth biggest-selling single and the largest selling non-charity single.[6]

Recording for London Town was completed with some final overdubbing in January 1978.[7]: 175 

Release

[edit]

The single "With a Little Luck" was released as a lead single from the album on 31 March and became a number 1 hit in the US.[4]: 122 

The song "Girlfriend" from the album was subsequently covered by American pop star Michael Jackson on his 1979 album Off the Wall.[4]: 203 [8]

In 1993, London Town was remastered and reissued on CD as part of the Paul McCartney Collection series. "Mull of Kintyre" and "Girls' School" were added as bonus tracks.

Denny Laine included versions of "Children Children" and "Deliver Your Children" on his 1996 album Wings at the Sound of Denny Laine.[9]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
Christgau's Record GuideB[11]
The Essential Rock Discography5/10[12]
MusicHound Rock[13]
Q[14]
Rolling Stone(favourable)[15]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[16]

London Town received generally unfavourable reviews from music critics.[17][18] The Globe and Mail noted that "Wings remains one of the most consistently ineffective rock bands around... The records are nice when McCartney strums his guitar and sings songs to his kids but when Wings takes on heavy sounds it just doesn't work".[19] The New York Times wrote that "the music is prime McCartney ... his ear for tunes and for classically simple yet clever arrangements remains acute, and the result here is often delightful".[20]

In the charts, it peaked at number 4 in the UK and number 2 in the US, where it sold over one million copies and went platinum. The album was certified platinum in Australia on the day of its release.[21]

After a strong start initially, however, London Town lacked the staying power of Wings' previous releases. The album's follow-up singles, "I've Had Enough" and the title track, became relatively minor hits.[22] The album marked the end of Wings' commercial peak and the beginning of a minor commercial slump for McCartney.

Aftermath

[edit]

Paul McCartney was reportedly displeased with Capitol Records in the US, where "Mull of Kintyre" was ignored by radio programmers; its B-side, "Girls School", reached only number 33 on the US charts.[23] He was further dismayed at what he viewed as Capitol's lacklustre promotion for London Town. With his contract at an end, he signed up with Columbia Records for North America (remaining with EMI elsewhere in the world) and would stay there until 1984, before returning to Capitol in the US.[24]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Paul McCartney, except where noted.

Side one

  1. "London Town" (Paul McCartney, Denny Laine) – 4:10
  2. "Cafe on the Left Bank" – 3:25
  3. "I'm Carrying" – 2:44
  4. "Backwards Traveller" – 1:07
  5. "Cuff Link" – 2:03
  6. "Children Children" (McCartney, Laine) – 2:20
  7. "Girlfriend" – 4:31
  8. "I've Had Enough" – 3:02

Side two

  2. "With a Little Luck" – 5:45
  3. "Famous Groupies" – 3:34
  4. "Deliver Your Children" (McCartney, Laine) – 4:17
  5. "Name and Address" – 3:07
  6. "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (McCartney, Laine) – 4:34
  7. "Morse Moose and the Grey Goose" (McCartney, Laine) – 6:27

Additional tracks on 1993 CD reissue

  2. "Girls' School" – 4:38
  3. "Mull of Kintyre" (McCartney, Laine) – 4:42

Personnel

[edit]
  • Paul McCartney – lead vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums (4, 5, 7, 9), percussion, violin (6, 14), flageolet (13), recorder (6), Gizmotron
  • Denny Laine – vocal (lead vocals on "Children Children" and "Deliver Your Children"), guitars, bass, flageolet (13), recorder (6), percussion
  • Linda McCartney – vocals, keyboards (1, 2, 4–9, 12, 14), percussion
  • Jimmy McCulloch – electric guitar (1, 2, 8, 10, 12, 14), bass, percussion
  • Joe English – drums (1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10–14), percussion (2, 13), harmonica (6)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21] Platinum 50,000^
France (SNEP)[45] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] Gold 250,000^
Japan (Oricon Charts) — 86,000[29]
Netherlands (NVPI)[47] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[49] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Paul McCartney's final attempt to revitalize Wings fell just short". 8 June 2015.
  2. ^ Petridis, Alexis (16 June 2022). "Paul McCartney's greatest post-Beatles songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  3. ^ Luca Perasi, Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969–2013), L.I.L.Y. Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-88-909122-1-4, pp. 150–153.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Elson, Howard (1986). McCartney, songwriter. London: W.H. Allen. ISBN 0-491-03325-7. OCLC 18836289.
  5. ^ a b Benitez, Vincent Perez (2010). The words and music of Paul McCartney : the solo years. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-313-34970-6. OCLC 647914724. p. 79
  6. ^ "The best-selling singles of all time on the Official UK Chart". www.officialcharts.com.
  7. ^ Rowan, Terry M. (2012). Penny Laine's anthology : A to Z the Beatles remembered!. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-105-58230-1. OCLC 1242987793.
  8. ^ Benitez, Vincent Perez (2010). The words and music of Paul McCartney : the solo years. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-313-34970-6. OCLC 647914724. p. 82
  9. ^ "Performs the Hits of Wings". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "London Town – Wings, Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney & Wings". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  11. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 9 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  12. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 696. ISBN 978-1-84195-827-9.
  13. ^ Gary Graff & Daniel Durchholz (eds), MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, Visible Ink Press (Farmington Hills, MI, 1999), p. 731.
  14. ^ Nicol, Jimmy (October 1993). "Re-releases: Paul McCartney The Paul McCartney Collection". Q. p. 119.
  15. ^ Maslin, Janet (15 June 1978), "Music Reviews : London Town by Wings", Rolling Stone, archived from the original on 17 November 2009, retrieved 17 October 2011
  16. ^ "Paul McCartney: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  17. ^ Madinger, Chip; Easter, Mark (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium. Chesterfield, MO: 44.1 Productions. p. 230. ISBN 0-615-11724-4.
  18. ^ Clayson, Alan (2003). Paul McCartney. London: Sanctuary. p. 191. ISBN 1-86074-482-6.
  19. ^ McGrath, Paul (19 April 1978). "Wings". The Globe and Mail. p. F2.
  20. ^ Rockwell, John (21 April 1978). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C22.
  21. ^ a b "Wings' 'London Town' Goes Platinum in Aust" (PDF). Cash Box. 13 May 1978. p. 49. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  22. ^ The Paul McCartney Encyclopedia ISBN 978-0-753-50716-2 p. 444
  23. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. 14 January 1978. p. 96. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  24. ^ Benitez, Vincent Perez (2010). The words and music of Paul McCartney : the solo years. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-313-34970-6. OCLC 647914724. p. 180
  25. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  26. ^ "austriancharts.at Wings - London Town". Hung Medien (in German). Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  27. ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 29, No. 13" (PHP). RPM. 24 June 1978. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  28. ^ "dutchcharts.nl Wings - London Town". Hung Medien, dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  29. ^ a b Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  30. ^ "charts.nz - Wings - London Town". charts.nz. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  31. ^ "norwegiancharts.com Wings - London Town". Hung Medien, norwegiancharts.com. VG-lista. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  32. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  33. ^ "swedishcharts.com Wings - London Town". Hung Medien, swedishcharts.com (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  34. ^ "Artist: Paul McCartney". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  35. ^ "London Town Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  36. ^ a b McGee, Garry (2003). Band on the Run: A History of Paul McCartney and Wings. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-87833-304-2.
  37. ^ "Album Search: Wings" (in German). Media Control. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  38. ^ "Austriancharts.st - Jahreshitparade 1978" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  39. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1978". RPM. 30 December 1978. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  40. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1978". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  41. ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1978 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  42. ^ "1978年間アルバムヒットチャートTop50【PRiVATE LiFE】年間ランキング". Entamedata.web.fc2.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  43. ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  44. ^ "Billboard.BIZ". Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  45. ^ "French album certifications – Wings – London Town" (in French). InfoDisc. Select WINGS and click OK. 
  46. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wings; 'London Town')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  47. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Wings – London Town" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter London Town in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  48. ^ "British album certifications – Wings – London Town". British Phonographic Industry.
  49. ^ "American album certifications – Wings – London Town". Recording Industry Association of America.
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