Silly Love Songs
"Silly Love Songs" is a song by the British–American rock band Wings that was written by Paul and Linda McCartney. The song first appeared in March 1976 on the album Wings at the Speed of Sound, then it was released as a single backed with "Cook of the House" on 1 April in the US, and 30 April in the UK. The song, which features disco overtones, was written in response to music critics accusing McCartney of predominantly writing "silly love songs" and "sentimental slush"; however, McCartney has since clarified that the song was actually directed to John Lennon who accused him of writing such songs.[1]
For the Glee episode, see Silly Love Songs (Glee)."Silly Love Songs"
1 April 1976
16 January 1976
Abbey Road Studios, London
5:54
3:28 (promo US radio edit)
Paul McCartney
The song was McCartney's 27th American number one as a songwriter; the all-time record for the most number one hits achieved there by a songwriter.[n 1] With this song, McCartney became the first person to have a year-end No. 1 song as a member of two distinct acts. McCartney previously hit No. 1 in the year-end Billboard chart as a member of the Beatles with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in 1964 and "Hey Jude" in 1968.[2][3]
"Silly Love Songs" has since appeared on multiple McCartney greatest hits compilations, including Wings Greatest, All the Best! and Pure McCartney. The song has also appeared on the "Hits" section of the compilation album Wingspan: Hits and History. Despite its popularity, McCartney has not performed the song live since the dissolution of Wings.
Release[edit]
"Silly Love Songs" was released in the US on 1 April 1976[9] and spent five non-consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.[10][11] The song was the number 1 pop song in Billboard's Year-End Charts of 1976; it was also the group's second of three number ones on the Easy Listening chart.[12] The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.[13] Billboard listed "Silly Love Songs" as Paul McCartney's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[14]
The single was released in the UK on 30 April 1976[9] and reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[15][16] The song reached No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart on 27 May.[17]
Critical reception[edit]
Upon release, "Silly Love Songs" generally received positive reviews from music critics,[18] despite a common criticism of the song lacking substance. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song, as well as its follow-up single, "Let 'Em In", as "so lightweight that their lack of substance seems nearly defiant".[19] Music critic Robert Christgau called the two tracks "charming if lightweight singles", while Rolling Stone critic Stephen Holden said "Silly Love Songs" was "a clever retort whose point is well taken".[20][21] Cash Box said that "the production is slick and the arrangement filled with drive" and that McCartney's "voice is as good as ever".[22] Record World said that "all the ingredients of a sure chart-topper are wrapped up in this delightful, fast moving number" with "awesome hooks."[23] John Bergstrom of PopMatters called the song "an exemplary piece of mid-‘70s pop production and a pure pleasure".[24]
In 2008, "Silly Love Songs" was listed at No. 31 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[4]
Other recordings[edit]
In 1976, Wings recorded "Silly Love Songs" live for their triple live album Wings Over America. In 1984, three years after the dissolution of Wings, Paul McCartney re-recorded "Silly Love Songs" for the soundtrack to the motion picture Give My Regards to Broad Street.