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With a Little Luck
With a Little Luck
With a Little Luck
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"With a Little Luck"
Single by Wings
from the album London Town
B-side"Backwards Traveller"/"Cuff Link"
Released20 March 1978
Recorded10 May – November 1977[1]
GenreSynth-pop, yacht rock[2][3]
Length5:45 (full-length version)
3:13 (radio edit version)
LabelParlophone (UK)
Capitol (US)
SongwriterPaul McCartney
ProducerPaul McCartney
Wings singles chronology
"Mull of Kintyre"
(1977) 		"With a Little Luck"
(1978) 		"I've Had Enough"
(1978)

"With a Little Luck" is a single by the band Wings from their 1978 album London Town. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1978.

Writing, recording and release

[edit]

"With a Little Luck" was written in Scotland and was Wings' follow-up single to the then best-selling UK single of all time, "Mull of Kintyre." It was recorded in May 1977 in the Virgin Islands aboard the boat Fair Carol, which had been fitted with a 24-track studio, for the album London Town. The album, which had the working title Water Wings was released in March 1978 as the band's seventh album.[4] During these recordings, Wings' lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Joe English had recorded tracks but had left, returning the band to the three-piece line-up which had recorded Band on the Run in 1973. McCartney played electric piano, bass and synthesiser in the song; English was likely on drums, while Denny Laine and Linda McCartney helped with some keyboards.[5]

"With a Little Luck" was released in March 1978 as the first single from the album and reached No. 1 in the United States[6] and Canada,[7] and No. 5 in the UK.[6][8] While it was at the top of the charts in the US, McCartney announced the new Wings line-up featuring lead guitarist Laurence Juber and drummer Steve Holley.

The single's b-side consists of the segue of two short tracks, "Backward Traveller"/"Cuff Link", also on the album, the first of which is a song and the second an instrumental that features a heavily synthesised guitar theme.

Reception

[edit]

Billboard described "With a Little Luck" as an "optimistic and celebrative" midtempo pop song that it expected to be one of McCartney's most commercially successful songs.[9] Cash Box said that "the lead vocals and harmonies are smooth and soothing" and praised the hooks.[10] Record World called it "a light, whimsical song about life's mysteries."[11] Chris Ingham praised the song as one of the best on the album, stating it was "full of the most sensitive pop synthesizer touches."[12] Tom Waseleski of the Beaver County Times regarded "With a Little Luck" as having "more substance" than McCartney's other soft rock tracks.[13]

Music video

[edit]

The song's music video, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, aired in the UK on 9 May 1978, as part of Granada Television's Paul, a music show hosted by Paul Nicholas.[14]

Personnel

[edit]

Chart performance

[edit]

Later release

[edit]

"With a Little Luck" was included on the compilation album Wings Greatest (1978) and the Paul McCartney compilation albums All the Best! (1987), Wingspan: Hits and History (2001) and Pure McCartney (2016). There are two versions of the song: the full-length version, which runs 5:45, and a promotional radio edit version, which runs 3:13 (as it cuts out, among other things, the entire instrumental interlude). The full-length version is included on Wings Greatest and the UK & Canada version of All the Best!, while the radio edit version appears on Wingspan, Pure McCartney and the US version of All the Best!

The song was featured in the closing credits of the 1979 film Sunburn starring Farrah Fawcett, Charles Grodin and Art Carney.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

With a Little Luck

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"With a Little Luck" is a song written by and recorded by his band Wings, serving as the from their 1978 album London Town. Released on March 22, 1978, it features an optimistic theme of perseverance and features a smooth, synth-driven arrangement that became emblematic of Wings' mid-1970s sound. The track was composed by McCartney during a period of band transitions, with recording taking place in 1977, the backing track laid down on a yacht in the and overdubs completed at studios in , while Wings underwent lineup changes, including the departure of guitarist and drummer Joe English shortly after completion. The song's lyrics emphasize hope and communal effort, with lines like "With a little luck, we can help it out / We can make this whole damn thing work out," reflecting McCartney's post-Beatles ethos of positivity amid personal and professional challenges. Commercially, "With a Little Luck" achieved significant success, reaching number one on the for two weeks starting May 20, 1978, marking Wings' sixth and final U.S. chart-topper and McCartney's seventh as a solo artist or . It also topped charts in and peaked at number five in the UK, bolstered by a promotional DJ edit that shortened the original version from over five minutes to a more radio-friendly length. The single's B-side included "Backwards Traveller" and the instrumental "Cuff Link," both also from London Town. Musically, the song showcases McCartney on vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, and , alongside on vocals and keyboards, on guitar and bass, and contributions from session players like on saxophone and on , highlighting Wings' evolving approach. Despite its chart dominance, "With a Little Luck" has been noted for its light, yacht-rock influences and has rarely been performed live by McCartney, adding to its status as an underrated gem in his catalog.

Background and composition

Songwriting

Paul McCartney composed "With a Little Luck" at his farm in during 1977. The lyrics center on themes of hope, serendipitous luck, and the quiet perseverance required in daily existence, portraying resilience as a shared endeavor rather than individual triumph. The chorus structure revolves around the affirming refrain "With a little luck, we can help it out / We can make this whole damn thing work out," which builds a rhythmic, motivational emphasizing collaboration and possibility. Verses progress narratively from naturalistic —such as the willow tree enduring weather—to interpersonal dynamics, urging proactive steps in love and routine struggles to foster positive outcomes. Receiving sole songwriting credit from McCartney, the piece exemplifies his stylistic pivot toward buoyant, synthesizer-driven pop, moving away from the denser rock explorations of prior Wings efforts like Band on the Run toward a more ethereal, accessible sound.

Album context

During the transitional period of 1977-1978, Wings underwent significant lineup changes that shaped the creation of their album London Town. Guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Joe English departed the band during the recording sessions, leaving a core trio consisting of Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine. These exits occurred amid personal challenges, including Linda's pregnancy and logistical issues from recording on a yacht in the Virgin Islands, contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty as the group completed the project with overdubs in Scotland and London. London Town, Wings' sixth studio album, was released on March 31, 1978, following a two-year gap since Wings at the Speed of Sound. Recorded primarily on the yacht Fair Carol using portable studio equipment, the album captured a relaxed, lighthearted vibe reflective of its seafaring origins. Its overall sound shifted toward a softer, more melodic style often associated with —featuring breezy arrangements, woodwinds, and pop sensibilities—that contrasted sharply with the energetic, rock-driven intensity of their earlier breakthrough (1973). This evolution emphasized melodic introspection and folk influences over the high-octane rock of prior releases. "With a Little Luck" served as the for London Town, released on March 20, 1978, and exemplified the album's poppier, optimistic tone with its extended five-minute runtime, synth elements, and harmonious vocals. Positioned as a deliberate lighter follow-up to Wings' massive 1977 hit ""—which sold over two million copies in the alone—the aimed to sustain the band's commercial momentum while embracing a more laid-back aesthetic. McCartney wrote it during a period of seclusion in , aligning with the album's themes of everyday resilience and casual escapism.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of "With a Little Luck" took place primarily during the sessions for Wings' album London Town, beginning with the basic tracks captured on the yacht Fair Carol anchored in Watermelon Bay, Virgin Islands, from 9 to 12 May 1977. The band utilized the Record Plant Mobile Studio installed aboard the vessel, creating a makeshift recording environment amid the tropical setting, which contributed to a relaxed, nautical atmosphere with breaks for swimming and sunbathing. Overdubs and final mixing occurred later in at from 4 to 23 January 1978, following additional work in May 1977. The production emphasized a lush, atmospheric sound through the prominent use of synthesizers, including contributions from and , alongside electric piano and organ to evoke a dreamy, synth-pop texture. McCartney adopted a multi-instrumental approach, performing bass, electric piano, , and lead vocals, which allowed for greater creative control amid the evolving band dynamic. These choices aligned with producer 's vision for a light, laid-back vibe inspired by the island surroundings. Wings faced challenges from lineup reductions during the broader London Town sessions, as guitarist departed in September 1977 and drummer Joe English left in September 1977 due to homesickness, reducing the group to a core trio of McCartney, , and by the overdub stage. This necessitated McCartney and Laine taking on additional instrumental responsibilities to complete the track without further recruitment. The full-length version of the song runs 5:45 and includes an extended instrumental coda featuring swirling synthesizers and percussion, capturing the song's optimistic, floating essence. For its single release, it was edited down to 3:13 by trimming the coda and some verses to suit radio play, while retaining the core lush arrangement. The edited version was released as the A-side, with the B-side featuring the medley of "Backwards Traveller" and "Cuff Link," both also from London Town.

Personnel

The basic tracks for "With a Little Luck" were recorded by Wings' five-piece lineup consisting of on lead vocals, , electric piano, and ; on backing vocals and organ; on backing vocals and ; on guitar; and Joe English on drums. Overdubs were handled by the core trio of , , and , with Laine also contributing guitar. Paul McCartney served as the sole producer, with no external co-producers involved. Engineering was led by , assisted by Pete Henderson, Mark Vigars, and Steve Churchyard. The pared-down personnel for overdubs contributed to the song's airy, synth-driven sound, emphasizing synthesizers over a full band arrangement, which gave it a distinctive, optimistic pop texture reflective of the transitional period in Wings' lineup.
RolePersonnel
Lead vocals, bass guitar, electric piano, synthesizer (basic and overdubs)
Backing vocals, organ (basic and overdubs)
Backing vocals, synthesizer, guitar (basic and overdubs)
Guitar (basic track)
Drums (basic track)Joe English
Producer
Engineer
Assistant engineersPete Henderson, Mark Vigars, Steve Churchyard

Release and promotion

Single release

"With a Little Luck" was released as a single on March 20, 1978, in both the by and the by , serving as the lead single from Wings' sixth studio album, London Town, which followed on March 31, 1978. The track, written by in and recorded aboard the yacht Fair Carol during the album sessions, captured themes of and amid the band's transitional period. The single was primarily issued as a 7-inch vinyl record at 45 RPM, backed by the medley "Backwards Traveller" and "Cuff Link" on the B-side, with some editions featuring a picture sleeve depicting . Promotional copies included a shortening the song from 5:45 to 3:13 for . Promotion emphasized radio dissemination during Wings' non-touring phase after the departure of guitarists and Joe English, aligning the single's message of luck and escape with the album's exploratory motifs to build anticipation without live performances. Internationally, it was marketed as a successor to the 1977 blockbuster "," with consistent release timing across major territories but tailored regional pushes, including earlier availability in the to capitalize on domestic momentum.

Music video

The music video for "With a Little Luck" was directed by and produced in a straightforward manner to promote the single's release. Filmed on March 21, 1978, in , it adopted simple, low-budget aesthetics that mirrored Wings' transitional state after the departures of guitarist and drummer Joe English, reducing the lineup to a core trio of , , and , with new drummer Steve Holley appearing for the first time by miming parts. The visuals center on the band miming their performance amid urban London scenes, including streets and the River Thames, to convey the song's lighthearted, optimistic vibe through playful elements like children dancing alongside them and close-up shots highlighting Paul McCartney's expressive face. Shot on 16mm color film, the video was edited to align with the single's extended 5:45 version, incorporating its distinctive introductory fade-in. It debuted on BBC's on April 6, 1978, shortly after the single's March launch, and aired on other UK television programs like Granada Television's Paul show on May 9, serving as a primary visual promotional tool in the late era of that paved the way for MTV's rise. Due to Wings forgoing live performances for the London Town album cycle, the video stood alone without tour integration.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"With a Little Luck" experienced strong chart performance following its March 1978 release, particularly in where it outperformed expectations compared to prior Wings singles like "," which had dominated the but only reached number 31 on the . In the United States, the single debuted at number 70 on the dated March 25, 1978, ascended steadily through the top 10, and topped the chart for two weeks beginning May 20, 1978, ultimately spending 18 weeks on the listing. Internationally, the song peaked at number 1 on the RPM 100 Singles chart in for three weeks in June 1978, marking Wings' fifth chart-topper there, and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 9 on April 1 before reaching a high of number 5, with a total run of 9 weeks and 4 weeks inside the top 10. It also achieved top 10 status in , peaking at number 3 on the , and number 11 in the on the Nationale Hitparade, reflecting solid but varied regional appeal. For year-end rankings, "With a Little Luck" placed at number 18 on the 1978 , underscoring its impact amid competition from disco-heavy hits, while in the it ranked number 84 on the annual compilation, a modest showing relative to the band's earlier blockbuster "" at number 1 for the year.

Peak Chart Positions

CountryChartPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
118
RPM 100 Singles115
3N/A
Official Singles Chart59
Nationale Hitparade116

Certifications and sales

In the United States, "With a Little Luck" received a Gold certification from the RIAA on May 20, 1978, recognizing sales of 1 million units. The single did not achieve Platinum status until later reissues in the digital era. Globally, the single sold over 2 million physical copies in 1978 alone, with total physical sales estimated at 2.3 million units worldwide when accounting for all formats and eras. These figures contributed significantly to the commercial success of the parent album London Town, which exceeded 500,000 units sold in the and earned a Gold certification from the RIAA. In the , the single was certified Silver by the BPI in 1978 for sales of 200,000 units. Subsequent reissues in the , including remastered editions, have boosted totals through streaming equivalents, though specific additional certifications remain pending. As Wings' sixth number-one single on the US , "With a Little Luck" marked a strong performance in but underperformed in the —peaking at number five—compared to prior hits like "," which topped the chart. This disparity highlighted shifting audience preferences in the late pop landscape.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1978, "With a Little Luck" garnered mixed critical responses, with praise for its catchy optimism tempered by critiques of its lightweight nature relative to Paul McCartney's Beatles-era output. Rolling Stone's review of the parent album London Town characterized the track as emblematic of the record's breezy, whimsical tone, emphasizing its lighthearted familial affection and smoothed-out production that evoked a sense of easygoing uplift, though it bordered on overly polished. Some contemporary outlets, including , dismissed it as simplistic and lacking depth compared to McCartney's earlier, more innovative work with . Retrospective assessments have been more favorable, highlighting the song's innovative synth layers and emotional resonance as key to its enduring appeal. AllMusic notes its melodic hooks and the layered harmonies featuring Linda McCartney, which contribute to an uplifting, feel-good vibe that showcases McCartney's post-Beatles pop craftsmanship. In 2020s analyses, critics have recognized its yacht rock influences—evident in the airy, synth-driven arrangement recorded aboard a yacht—and its significance in McCartney's reinvention during Wings' transitional phase, positioning it as a staple of 1970s soft rock. Criticisms have persisted regarding the overly simplistic lyrics, which some view as formulaic amid Wings' internal instability, including lineup changes during the London Town sessions that left the band feeling adrift. Over time, perceptions have shifted; initially regarded as filler in album critiques, it has since been embraced as a feel-good classic in McCartney compilations like All the Best (1987) and Wings Greatest (1978), underscoring its lasting melodic charm.

Cultural impact and later uses

"With a Little Luck" has seen several reissues that have kept it prominent in Paul McCartney's catalog. It was first compiled on the 1978 greatest hits album , which received a remastered edition in 2018 featuring an updated version of the track. The song also appeared on the 1993 remastered release of its parent album London Town, part of McCartney's comprehensive reissue series for his post-Beatles recordings. In November 2025, the track was included on the anthology WINGS: The Definitive Self-Titled Collection, personally curated by McCartney and released across multiple formats, accompanied by new that contextualize the band's evolution and key releases. The song has inspired covers across genres, demonstrating its melodic appeal. Notable versions include a adaptation by The Cimarons in 1982 and an instrumental piano arrangement by in 1987. Later interpretations feature acoustic renditions by various indie performers, highlighting the track's enduring versatility for solo artists. Additionally, it has been sampled in modern music, most prominently by British alternative hip-hop duo The Correspondents in their 2007 single "," where elements of the original's synth melody are incorporated. Wings' touring hiatus in 1978, following their extensive 1975-1976 world tour and amid ongoing lineup instability, meant "With a Little Luck" was never performed live by despite its chart success. McCartney has similarly omitted it from his subsequent solo concerts, preserving the song as a studio-only artifact in . As a highlight from London Town, recorded during a period of personnel flux that foreshadowed Wings' dissolution, "With a Little Luck" embodies McCartney's optimistic resilience amid the band's challenges. Its reappearance in the 2025 anthology reaffirms the track's significance within Wings' history, contributing to the group's legacy of over 22 million albums sold worldwide.

References

  1. https://www.paulmccartney.com/discography/singles/with-a-little-luck-dj-edit
  2. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/11368/all
  3. https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/paul-mccartney/songs/with-a-little-luck/
  4. https://genius.com/Wings-with-a-little-luck-lyrics
  5. https://www.billboard.com/lists/paul-mccartney-top-songs-billboard-hot-100/
  6. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/with-a-little-luck/
  7. https://americansongwriter.com/on-this-day-paul-mccartney-enjoyed-his-sixth-no-1-hit-on-the-hot-100-with-the-wings-tune-with-a-little-luck/
  8. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/wings/with-a-little-luck
  9. https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-album-london-town-wings-1978-lp-that-came-together-as-the-band-were-coming-apart/
  10. https://www.paulmccartney.com/discography/albums/london-town
  11. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/paul-mccartney-wings-london-town-song/
  12. https://www.allmusic.com/album/london-town-mw0000194661
  13. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/london-town-how-wings-perfectly-captured-yacht-rock/
  14. https://www.paulmccartney.com/news/sticking-out-of-my-back-pocket-with-a-little-luck
  15. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/artist/joe-english/
  16. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/1977/09/jimmy-mcculloch-leaves-wings/
  17. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/album/london-town/
  18. https://www.discogs.com/master/49116-Wings-With-A-Little-Luck
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/1736308-Wings-With-A-Little-Luck
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/1914208-Wings-With-A-Little-Luck
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/8093420-Wings-With-A-Little-Luck
  22. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartney-with-a-little-luck/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9485414/
  24. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/film/with-a-little-luck/
  25. https://www.jpgr.co.uk/dvd_macca_years.html
  26. https://tsort.info/music/w40400.htm
  27. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1978-05-20/
  28. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/wings-with-a-little-luck/
  29. https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Wings&titel=With+A+Little+Luck&cat=s
  30. https://www.uk-charts.co.uk/index.php/charts/1970-s/199-1978
  31. https://www.superseventies.com/sw_withalittleluck.html
  32. https://chartmasters.org/paul-mccartney-albums-and-songs-sales/
  33. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/35518
  34. https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=662379
  35. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/1644
  36. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/london-town-255366/
  37. https://addsomemusictoyourdayblog.wordpress.com/2021/05/27/london-town-by-wings/
  38. https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-56378/wings-with-a-little-luck-1978-56380/
  39. https://www.stereogum.com/2067399/the-number-ones-wings-with-a-little-luck/columns/the-number-ones/
  40. https://www.discogs.com/master/850844-Wings-Live
  41. https://open.spotify.com/track/0wLpW3AwfNicWHef8joJLb
  42. https://www.paulmccartney.com/news/wings-the-definitive-self-titled-collection-out-7-november-2025
  43. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/11368/all
  44. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/166098/versions
  45. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/286535/versions
  46. https://www.whosampled.com/Wings/With-a-Little-Luck/
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