Paul McCartney & Wings – “Letting Go”: A Soulful Statement from the Mid-Seventies
In 1975, Paul McCartney & Wings released “Letting Go” as a single from their album Venus and Mars, a record that marked a new chapter in McCartney’s post-Beatles career. Coming on the heels of the massive success of Band on the Run in 1973, Venus and Mars had the difficult task of following up one of the most acclaimed albums of the decade. “Letting Go,” chosen as the album’s second single, offered a glimpse into McCartney’s more soulful, moody side — a contrast to the lighter pop melodies he was often associated with.
The mid-1970s were a period of reinvention for McCartney. With Wings, he was determined to build a band identity distinct from the Beatles, touring extensively and experimenting with different sounds. “Letting Go” reflected that ambition. Written about his wife Linda McCartney, the song is both a personal love letter and an exploration of intimacy, painted in darker musical shades than much of his earlier solo work. Its subject is simple yet profound: the act of loosening control in a relationship and allowing love to exist freely.
Musically, the track stands out for its atmosphere. Opening with a low, brooding guitar riff and a steady rhythm section, it immediately sets a mood of sultry intensity. The brass section, arranged with a raw, almost improvisational energy, adds a touch of funk and soul rarely heard in McCartney’s work of the era. His bass line is prominent and fluid, driving the groove forward while leaving space for the horns to punch through. The result is a sound both gritty and polished — Wings at their most earthy and hypnotic.
McCartney’s vocal delivery is restrained yet filled with feeling. He doesn’t reach for the soaring heights of “Maybe I’m Amazed” or the tenderness of “My Love”; instead, he leans into a darker register, almost conversational at times, before letting the chorus open into a plea. “Letting go, she said so / Letting go, she said so.” The repetition gives the lyric a mantra-like quality, underscoring the theme of release and trust. Linda’s harmonies, subtle but present, add warmth and intimacy, reminding listeners that the song’s inspiration was not abstract but deeply personal.
Lyrically, “Letting Go” captures the paradox of love: that it requires both devotion and freedom. McCartney reflects on the importance of not holding too tightly, of trusting the strength of connection without needing to control it. In this way, the song reveals a more mature perspective than many of his earlier love songs. It is less about the euphoria of falling in love and more about the ongoing work of sustaining it.
Commercially, the single performed respectably though not spectacularly, reaching No. 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 41 in the UK. While it did not match the chart dominance of Wings’ biggest hits, it quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live performances. In fact, “Letting Go” has enjoyed a second life in McCartney’s later concerts, where its heavy groove and brass flourishes make it a standout on stage.
Critically, the song has grown in stature over the years. Initially overshadowed by the more radio-friendly tracks on Venus and Mars, it has since been recognized as one of McCartney’s most underrated singles — a track that blends rock, soul, and funk in a way that few of his contemporaries attempted at the time. Its live revival in McCartney’s 2010s tours introduced it to a new generation, many of whom were struck by how modern it still sounded decades later.
In the broader arc of McCartney’s career, “Letting Go” reflects his willingness to explore moods and textures beyond pure pop. It shows him as a bandleader, crafting a song that leaned on the collective sound of Wings rather than simply recreating the Beatles’ formula. It also reveals his growth as a songwriter, grappling with the complexities of love and partnership from the perspective of a man firmly settled in his marriage.
Today, “Letting Go” stands as one of McCartney’s most enduring deep cuts. It may not dominate greatest-hits compilations, but for fans and critics, it remains a reminder of his versatility and his ability to bring new flavors into his songwriting. With its swampy groove, soulful brass, and heartfelt lyric, it captures Wings at their most confident — a band and a songwriter willing to let go of expectations and follow where the music led.
In the story of Paul McCartney, “Letting Go” is more than just another single. It is a statement of trust, freedom, and maturity — proof that even in the shadow of the Beatles, McCartney could carve out a sound that was entirely his own.