Wings: “Letting Go” (1975)
“I Want You” it isn’t, but this is pretty heavy by Wings’ usual standards.
Kronomyth 6.2: Like a Lucifer he’ll always shine
The original album version of Letting Go was played at a churning, slow-boiling pace that made four-and-a-half minutes feel like forty. At least, that was my impression. Some people seem to like this song, the author himself included, so what do I know? For the single, the song was remixed and edited by Alan Parsons with much better results. The intro and middle solos were tightened up, the pace seemed faster, and the mix was more balanced. Also, it appears that Joe English was brought in to play over Geoff Britton’s original drum parts. They left the B side alone because, honestly, how could you improve upon You Gave Me the Answer? A close cousin of “When I’m Sixty-Four,” it’s Paul McCartney at his most charming. Honestly, that or almost any other song on the album would have made for a better single but, you know, I should probably just let it go.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Letting Go (Paul McCartney) (3:32)
B1. You Gave Me the Answer (Paul McCartney) (2:13)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single on September 5, 1975 in the UK (Capitol, R 6008), on September 29, 1975 in the US (Capitol, 4145), Australia (Capitol, A-10940), France (Capitol, 2C 010-96.490), Germany (EMI Electrola, 1C 006-96490) and Japan (Capitol, EPR-10863) with regional picture sleeve. Reached #41 on the UK charts and #39 on the US charts. (First appeared in Sept. 6, 1975 issue of New Musical Express.)
- Re-issued on 7-inch single in 2014 in the EU (MPL, HRM-36608-1) with picture sleeve.
