‘Little Woman Love’ was recorded during the Ram sessions, and released as the b-side of Wings’ second single ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’.
The backing track consisted of piano, double bass, three drum/percussion tracks, and guide vocals. Additional vocals and guitar were added the following January.
On double bass was Milt Hinton, a prolific jazz session musician.
Paul said to me he wanted someone for a slap bass and I suggested Milt Hinton, called The Judge, 65 years old at the time. We were amazed at the energy he had.
Paul McCartney Recording Sessions (1969-2013), Luca Perasi
The ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ single was released on 5 May 1972 in the UK, with ‘Little Woman Love’ on the b-side. The single peaked at number nine on the singles chart.
I thought it was all very deep and all very nice. I see now, you know, it wasn’t much of a record. That’s all. It just didn’t really make it as a record, and that’s what tells, the black plastic.
Paul McCartney In His Own Words
In the United States it was released on 29 May 1972, and reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. It fared less well on the Cash Box Top 100, going no higher than 48.
Live, Wings performed ‘Little Woman Love’ as part of a medley with ‘C Moon’. It was played during their Wings Over Europe Tour in 1972, the British Tour the following year, and on the Wings Over The World Tour in 1975-6.
It was also performed by the band on the TV special James Paul McCartney in 1973. It was filmed on 1 April, the last day of shooting.
Wings played the medley during the One Hand Clapping sessions at Abbey Road Studios in August 1974. The full album was released in June 2024.
