This May 17th, as a way of marking Saint Patrick’s Day, let’s take a moment to revisit the Irish themed debut single by Wings, the band Paul McCartney formed after leaving The Beatles in 1970. Released on February 25th 1972, “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” was McCartney’s response to the tragic events of Bloody Sunday on January 30th of the same year. On that day, British troops in Northern Ireland fatally shot thirteen civil rights protestors, sparking outrage and prompting McCartney and his wife Linda to express their sentiments through music.
The track, featuring Northern Irish guitarist Henry McCullough, was recorded just two days after the incident at Abbey Road Studios in London. Despite its powerful message, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” faced censorship in the UK and limited radio play in the United States. A Top 40 hit regardless, the song reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and topped the Irish Singles Chart at Number 1 for a week in March 1972.
The inspiration for the song came during McCartney’s visit to New York at the end of January, 1972, when he reconciled with fellow Beatle John Lennon and witnessed the Bloody Sunday tragedy and its aftermath through the popular media of the day. Motivated by his Irish heritage and the political climate of the time, McCartney felt compelled to use his art as a conduit for change.
Critics and media alike condemned McCartney for what they perceived to be a pro-IRA stance, marking a departure from his usual non-political pop music. In a March 7th interview with a reporter for ABC television McCartney said:
“On this one occasion I think the British government overstepped the mark and showed themselves to be more of a sort of oppressive regime than I ever believed them to be” – Paul McCartney March 7, 1972
Throughout their tour of English and Welsh universities in February 1972, Wings performed “Give Ireland Back to the Irish”, showcasing their commitment to the message behind the song. It wasn’t until over 20 years later that the song made its way onto an album, in this case, a bonus track for the 1993 CD reissue of Wings’ debut album “Wild Life”, originally released in the first week of December 1971.
Despite facing bans and limited airplay, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” remains a poignant reminder of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and McCartney’s bold stance on the issue. The song’s impact transcends its release, highlighting the power of music to address social and political injustices.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!