From James Bond to Shrek: The Third and back again into the modern consciousness with TikTok edits of Paul McCartney exploding, Live and Let Die is the song that never stops giving. It may stand as one of the best Wings songs around, so long as we discard Band on the Run and Arrow Through Me. It remains a strange decision to keep Live and Let Die off the album releases at the time, though in hindsight, it probably made sense. A song this volatile, this exciting, would have crushed everything else on Red Rose Speedway. It still does, even with a degree of separation. One of the most thrilling songs McCartney ever managed to write, while also maintaining the soppy charms of his best Beatles and Wings work. Live and Let Die has it all, and as far as theme songs for James Bond movies go, this is one of the best.
Just a tremendous song through and through. Those tender piano chords which call back to The End and Oh, Darling!, the sappy style of songwriting which would project McCartney as an earnest singer with an ear for the tuneful tones, are contrast with the brass boom, the explosive shift in tempo. It is a perfect shift which is iconic with or without its Roger Moore association. How it did not win the Academy Award is anyone’s guess. Live and Let Die would go on to define McCartney as much as his work on Abbey Road or Band on the Run ever would. A song which is, thanks to the instrumental quality and sincerity at the heart of its writing, an all-time great. It is the quiet start which wins out over everything else. Live and Let Die may be defined by the incredible instrumentals, the George Martin-arranged orchestra an incredible standout, but it is the lyrical qualities which keep it as a classic.
Despite its association with James Bond, there is a kitschy style to Live and Let Die which captures the post-Ram charm of McCartney’s solo work. It is a rapid succession of instrumental changes which keeps Live and Let Die fresh, though, an always-moving piece which can never decide on volatility or slower tones of instrumental pleasure. This is its greatest strength. Through this erratic and often wonderful explosion of sound comes some tender writing charm from McCartney, who manages to put out the best-ever Bond song. It should not be controversial to suggest such because, bar Skyfall, there is not one Bond song which fully encapsulates the film. Live and Let Die is a comment on the ever-changing world in which we live in, indeed, but also on the lighter flourish making its way through the series.
McCartney clearly prefers the erratic explosion of orchestral brilliance to the piano-led intro, hence why he puts such emphasis on it during his live shows. There are few greater thrills than hearing it live. Thankfully, there are officially released versions out there, which, backed by screaming fans and fireworks launching, is the best way to listen. Back in the U.S.A., Live ‘02 is a stunning rendition which gets closer to the thrills of the Got Back tour from 2024. McCartney has written himself into history time and again, though Live and Let Die feels a tad overlooked despite its constant presence in popular culture. It stands on its own, it stands strong with the Moore-fronted Bond film of the same name. Whatever the place, McCartney and Wings’ work here is some of their very best.
Iconic song.
I am sooooo sick of damn near EVERYTHING today being labeled as “Iconic!”
Awesome song, but GnR had NO business covering it for UseYourIllusion, especially as the 3rd track.