Red Rose Speedway

This was Paul McCartney's second album with his group Wings. The first album, Wings Wild Life, sold a bit modestly for an ex-Beatle and some attributed this to the the album being credited to the relatively unknown band....Wings. So, for this second album, Paul decided to credit the album to "Paul McCartney & Wings". The Wings Line-up at this time featured: Paul McCartney-Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Piano/Linda McCartney-Backing Vocals, Piano, percussion/Denny Laine-backing Vocals, Guitar, Bass/Henry McCullough-Guitar/Denny Seiwell-Drums.

Red Rose Speedway was released in May of 1973. It had been recorded from March to June, 1972 in Los Angeles and from the begininng of September to the end of October of 1972 in London. The title of the album is said to be inspired by McCartney housekeeper, Rose.

It was oringinally slated to be a double album, but on the advice of his business consultant, Paul decided to scale it back to a single album. The Harley Davidson motorcycle on the front cover was ordered especially for the photo shoot. Linda McCartney, Wings member and photographer, took the cover shot of Paul. Inside the gatefold sleeve was a 12 page booklet, showing pictures from Wings tour of Europe.

On the back cover there is a message, in braille, for Stevie Wonder thate reads "We Love You".

The first two lines, on the first song, were first heard on Paul's solo album Ram at the end of the reprise of Ram On.

There were 12 tracks on the original album release which lasted 42 minutes and 13 seconds.

The track list included: Big Barn Bed, My Love, Get on the Right Thing, Only One More Kiss, Little Lamb Dragonfly, Single Pigeon, When the Night, Loop (The first Indian on the Moon), Hold Me Tight, Lazy Dynamite, Hands of Love, Power Cut.

The last four songs on the album comprised an 11 minute, 16 second medley.

The CD release included bonus tracks which at various times included: I Lie Around, Country Dreamer, The Mess (live), C Moon, Hi Hi Hi.

The album, Red Rose Speedway, was received much better than Wings' initial album, Wild Life.

The album itself garnered mixed reviews, but after this album people began giving Wings the respect they deserved.