On this day in music history: January 30, 1972 - Paul McCartney writes and records “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” with Wings in response the “Bloody Sunday” massacre in Northern Ireland in which thirteen unarmed civil rights protesters are shot and killed by British Army soldiers. Being of Irish decent himself, McCartney feels moved to comment on the shocking and tragic incident. The track is recorded at Island Studios in London two days after it’s written on February 1, 1972. It is the first Wings track to feature new lead guitarist Henry McCullough, formerly of The Grease Band (singer Joe Cocker’s backing band). Initially, EMI Records refuses to release the song, feeling that is “too inflammatory”, but issues it at McCartney’s insistance. The single is released a month later on February 25, 1972 (US release date is on February 28, 1972) and is immediately banned from airplay by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg, and the Independent Television Authority. The original 45 is released with a custom label with five green shamrocks printed across the top, and packaged in a bright yellow die cut sleeve with the band name printed on the front and back. In spite of the ban, it hits #1 in Ireland, peaking at #16 on the UK singles chart, and #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Originally released as a stand alone single only, “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” is included as a bonus track on the CD reissue of Wings’ first album “Wings Wild Life” in 1993.
and when it was banned over here in the UK McCartney released 'Mary Had a Little Lab' in response to the gutless Beeb not standing by him . . . . while hardly a polemic or politically thorough statement to ban it was silly it seemed to me then . . . . . .one man and his band showing solidarity with the civil rights movement of the slaughter of innocents and his family roots
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