Wingspan: Hits and History

Wingspan: Hits and History
Greatest hits album by
Paul McCartney
Released7 May 2001
Recorded1969–1984
GenreRock
Length153:04 (UK version)
153:06 (US version)
156:22 (Japanese version)
LabelParlophone
Producers
Paul McCartney chronology
Liverpool Sound Collage
(2000)		 Wingspan: Hits and History
(2001)		 Driving Rain
(2001)

Wingspan: Hits and History is the third compilation album by Paul McCartney, released in 2001 on Parlophone Records. It features mostly songs recorded with Wings, but contains also solo material.

Content

Wingspan is separated into two distinct sets: the "Hits" disc features commercially successful material, while "History" showcases lesser-known songs from the same period. American and British editions of the album vary slightly, as the UK edition contains the studio version of "Coming Up", while the US edition contains "Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)", which was more popular there. The Japanese version of the album also includes "Eat at Home", which had been issued as a single in Japan.

McCartney wanted to include "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" on the compilation, but EMI requested it to be removed, as McCartney said: "EMI rang me up and said, 'Look, you know, we're pretty nervous and you don’t have much time on the album. We should pull [it],'"[1] Remixes of "Silly Love Songs", "Let 'Em In" and "Coming Up" were included on Wingspan.[1]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[2]
The Essential Rock Discography8/10[3]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[4]
QStarStarStar[5]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarStar[6]
UncutStarStarStar[7]

Released in 2001 in conjunction with a prime time TV documentary, similarly called Wingspan, as well as a book also titled Wingspan, the associated soundtrack was a commercial success. In the United States, it went straight to number 2 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 221,000 copies in the first week of its release.[8] The album charted there for 14 weeks, selling approximately 970,000 units as of 2005.[9] Wingspan has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and also reached gold status in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.[10] A DVD release of the broadcast documentary – which dealt with McCartney's relationship with Linda Eastman and their eventual marriage, the traumatic final year of the Beatles' career and his own role in their break-up, and the story of Wings' formation and career through the 1970s towards their dissolution in 1980 – was produced by Mary McCartney, who also interviewed her father in the film.

Promotion of the compilation was done, which included a promo CD single featuring remixes of "Silly Love Songs" being issued.[1] Other single releases included a jukebox single of Maybe I'm Amazed and "Band on the Run" was issued, a CD single featuring "Coming Up" and "Silly Love Songs" was issued exclusively in the UK.[1] Capitol released a eight track compilation which featured McCartney introducing each song on it.[1] In the US, a 10 track sampler of Wingspan titled Wingspan Special Advance Sampler.[1] When Wings guitarist Laurence Juber asked McCartney about Wings reuniting to tour to promote the compilation, McCartney tod him that he couldn't imagine Wings performing without Linda McCartney, as according to Paul, she was very much part of Wings.[11]

Critical reception was mostly positive, with critics praising how the compilation is sequenced, specifically with the "Hits" and "History" discs. In a review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "ideal", believing the compilation to be perfectly executed with each of its discs. He critiqued the omission of some tracks such as "Ebony and Ivory", McCartney's collaboration with Stevie Wonder, and his collaborations with Michael Jackson. He also questions why it omits tracks such as "Press" and "So Bad" from Press to Play and Pipes of Peace respectively as well as questioning the omission of "Ballroom Dancing" among other album cuts. He does praise the compilation for its approach to "History" filling in the holes left in the "Hits" disc, noting tracks like "Maybe I'm Amazed", "Junk" and "Heart of the Country" as reasoning for being "convincing argument that McCartney's solo recordings are a rich, idiosyncratic body of work of their own merits."[2] In a review for Mojo magazine, Mick Houghton wrote that "Wingspan manages to achieve a remarkable consistency in performance and breadth of songwriting", believing listeners can see what an impressive solo career McCartney achieved, opining that "for the most part these songs genuinely measure up to the standard of The Beatles' McCartney-penned tracks." believing the only reason why Wingspan exists is because McCartney hoped to "put the case for his post-Beatles work no longer being seen as second best."[12] In the Guardian, Adam Sweeting notes that "as this double-disc anthology demonstrates, the Wings years (1971-80) produced an impressive streak of hits: Band on the Run, Jet, Live and Let Die, My Love... and Mull of Kintyre." adding that "Meanwhile, the CDs fit into a grand strategic plan that also includes a two-hour TV documentary tracing the inside story of Wings."[4] Hot Press writer Stephen Robinson believed that songs such as "Listen to What the Man Said", "Band on the Run", "Live and Let Die", "Silly Love Songs" and "Jet" were all excellent tracks, questioning the omission of "Say Say Say", adding of disc two that it "features some classic Wings as well as later works, much of these heavy with the legacy of McCartney’s late wife, Linda, herself an integral part of the outfit, as much for her muse as her musicianship."[13] Billboard wrote it spanned "far and wide across McCartney's genius for lyrical melody", adding that "The 40 tracks have been remastered with loving care by Peter Mew and Geoff Emerick".[14]

Track listing

Disc 1: Hits

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Listen to What the Man Said" (from Venus and Mars, 1975)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings3:57
2."Band on the Run" (from Band on the Run, 1973)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings5:13
3."Another Day" (Non-album single, 1971)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:43
4."Live and Let Die" (from the Live and Let Die soundtrack, 1973)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings3:12
5."Jet" (from Band on the Run)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings4:08
6."My Love" (from Red Rose Speedway, 1973)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings4:08
7."Silly Love Songs" (from Wings at the Speed of Sound, 1976)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings5:55
8."Pipes of Peace" (Single edit; original version from Pipes of Peace, 1983)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:26
9."C Moon" (Non-album single, 1972)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings4:35
10."Hi, Hi, Hi" (Non-album single, 1972)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings3:09
11."Let 'Em In" (from Wings at the Speed of Sound)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings5:10
12."Goodnight Tonight" (Non-album single, 1979)P. McCartneyWings4:21
13."Junior's Farm" (DJ edit; non-album single, 1974)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings3:03
14."Mull of Kintyre" (Non-album single, 1977)P. McCartney, Denny LaineWings4:45
15."Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (from Ram, 1971)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul and Linda McCartney4:50
16."With a Little Luck" (DJ edit; original version from London Town, 1978)P. McCartneyWings3:13
17."Coming Up" (from McCartney II, 1980)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:53
18."No More Lonely Nights" (from Give My Regards to Broad Street, 1984)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney4:47
Total length:75:38

Disc 2: History

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Let Me Roll It" (from Band on the Run)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings4:51
2."The Lovely Linda" (from McCartney, 1970)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney0:45
3."Daytime Nighttime Suffering" (B-side to the "Goodnight Tonight" single, 1979)P. McCartneyWings3:23
4."Maybe I'm Amazed" (from McCartney)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:52
5."Helen Wheels" (Non-album single/Band on the Run [US edition only], 1973)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings3:46
6."Bluebird" (from Band on the Run)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings3:26
7."Heart of the Country" (from Ram)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul and Linda McCartney2:24
8."Every Night" (from McCartney)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney2:34
9."Take It Away" (Single version; original version from Tug of War, 1982)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney4:05
10."Junk" (from McCartney)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney1:57
11."Man We Was Lonely" (from McCartney)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney2:59
12."Venus and Mars/Rock Show" (Single edit; original version from Venus and Mars)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings3:46
13."The Back Seat of My Car" (from Ram)P. McCartneyPaul and Linda McCartney4:29
14."Rockestra Theme" (from Back to the Egg, 1979)P. McCartneyWings2:36
15."Girlfriend" (from London Town)P. McCartneyWings4:44
16."Waterfalls" (DJ edit; original version from McCartney II)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:24
17."Tomorrow" (from Wild Life, 1971)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings3:27
18."Too Many People" (from Ram)P. McCartneyPaul and Linda McCartney4:12
19."Call Me Back Again" (from Venus and Mars)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyWings4:59
20."Tug of War" (Single version; original version from Tug of War)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney4:04
21."Bip Bop/Hey Diddle" (Previously unreleased; recorded in 1971)P. McCartney, L. McCartneyPaul and Linda McCartney3:36
22."No More Lonely Nights" (Playout version) (Edit; original version from Give My Regards to Broad Street)P. McCartneyPaul McCartney3:55
Total length:77:26

Notes:

  • The U.S. version of the album substitutes the studio version of "Coming Up" with the live version appearing on the single's B-side.
  • The Japanese version of the album includes "Eat at Home" as the last track on disc one.

Charts and certifications

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Blaney, John. Lennon and McCartney: Togethher Alone: A Critical Discography of Their Solo Work. Jawbone Press. pp. 60, 115, 116, 137, 251–252. ISBN 978-1-906002-02-2. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Wingspan: Hits and History Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 696. ISBN 978-1-84195-827-9.
  4. 1 2 Sweeting, Adam (4 May 2001). "Wingspan - Hits and History". Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Paul McCartney/Wings – Wingspan: Hits And History CD". CD Universe/Muze. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Paul McCartney: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Dalton, Stephen (June 2001). "Paul McCartney: Wingspan". Uncut. Available at Rock's Backpages (subscription required).
  8. ↑ "T-Pain Soars To No. 1 Ahead of Rihanna, McCartney". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  9. ↑ Rosen, Craig (5 September 2005). "Paul Mccartney: Letting 'chaos' Reign". allbusiness.com. Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "RIANZ - Top 50 Albums". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 8 December 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ McCartney, Paul (2025). Widmer, Ted (ed.). Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run. New York City, New York: Liveright. p. 428. ISBN 978-1-324-09630-6.
  12. ↑ Houghton, Mick (July 2001). "Wings: Wingspan". Mojo. Retrieved 19 August 2026 – via Rock's Backpages.
  13. ↑ Robinson, Stephen (24 May 2001). "Wingspan". Hot Press. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Wingspan" (PDF). Billboard. 26 May 2001. p. 24. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "Paul McCartney Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  21. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  22. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  24. ↑ "Highest position and charting weeks of Wingspan: Hits and History by Paul McCartney". Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  25. ↑ "Charts.nz – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  26. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  27. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 13/5/2001 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  28. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Paul McCartney & Wings – Wingspan - Hits And History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  29. ↑ "Official Albums Chart on 13/5/2001 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "Paul McCartney Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  31. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2001 (based on sales)". Jam!. Archived from the original on 12 December 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  32. ↑ "CLUK2001.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  33. ↑ "Billboard.BIZ - Year-end Charts - Billboard 200 - 1995". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2012.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  35. ↑ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  36. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Paul McCartney – Wingspan". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  37. ↑ "British album certifications – Paul McCartney – Wingspan". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Formats field. Type Wingspan Paul McCartney in the "Search:" field.
  38. ↑ "American album certifications – Paul McCartney – Wingspan". Recording Industry Association of America.
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