US single release: Live And Let Die by Wings

Wings’ single ‘Live And Let Die’ was released in the United States on 18 June 1973.

Although Wings’ early releases had received mixed critical and commercial responses, ‘Live And Let Die’ established the band as a potent force, able to compete against rock’s premier league of performers. Although they subsequently underwent personnel changes, by the end of 1973 Wings had released Band On The Run, their most commercially successful album.

‘Live And Let Die’ topped the US Cash Box Top 100 and Record World singles charts. On the Billboard Hot 100 it peaked at number two for three weeks.

The single’s b-side was ‘I Lie Around’, written by Paul McCartney but sung by Denny Laine. The song was a Ram outtake completed during the Red Rose Speedway sessions, and was Laine’s only lead vocal on a Wings single.