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TL;DR:

  • Paul McCartney & Wings released a version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
  • A member of Wings said that song was one of the reasons he left the band.
  • He also blamed the band’s wardrobe.
Paul McCartney of Wings with a guitar
Paul McCartney of Wings | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

During his time with Wings, Paul McCartney created a version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” A member of Wings explained that cover was one of the reasons he left the band. This musician also discussed the problem he had with Linda McCartney.

A guitarist didn’t like Linda McCartney as a piano player

Henry McCullough was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was a member of Wings in 1972 and 1973. He was also a member of the bands Spooky Tooth and The Grease Band.

During a 2008 interview with Hot Press, McCullough discussed his time with Wings. “It was a real happy time, apart from the hiccup in the middle of it, when I suggested that maybe we could get in a better piano player than Linda – I had to back off real quick,” he recalled. She learnt how to work with the band.”

McCullough’s attitude to his proposal changed over time. “I was sorry that I’d actually brought it up,” he said. “She was such a beautiful woman, I felt really sorry about it. But I wanted a f*****’ Jerry Lee Lewis!”

Henry McCullough didn’t like Paul McCartney & Wings’ ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb or their wardrobe

Subsequently, McCullough explained why he left Wings. “I wanted to be the guitar player in the band and I didn’t like to have a comical arrangement like ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb,'” he said. “It’s a far cry from f*****’ John Lee Hooker, you know?”

McCullough also critiqued Wings’ choice of wardrobe. “The stage clothes were all co-ordinated,” he remembered. “I left Ireland to get away from having to wear a tartan jacket. That’s the truth!”

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How Paul McCartney & Wings’ ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ performed on the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom

Wings’ “Mary Had a Little Lamb” became a minor hit in the United States. It reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for seven weeks. Wings released “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on some editions of the album Wild Life. The album reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

Wings’ “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was even more popular in the United Kingdom. According to The Official Charts Company, the track reached No. 9 in the U.K. and remained on the chart for 11 weeks. Meanwhile, Wild Life hit No. 11 on the chart and stayed there for nine weeks.

“Mary Had a Little Lamb” became a hit even if McCullough was not a fan.

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