James Paul McCartney was a 50‑minute 1973 ATV television special

 James Paul McCartney

(TV special) Broadcast in 1973. Full video (50 minutes) of the television special "James Paul McCartney" featuring Wings , information about this ATV tv show

Short answer: James Paul McCartney was a 50‑minute 1973 ATV television special starring Paul McCartney and Wings, first broadcast 16 April 1973 (US, ABC) and 10 May 1973 (UK, ITV). It was created as part of McCartney’s settlement with ATV boss Sir Lew Grade, and it showcased a mix of live performances, sketches, music‑video‑style segments, and a Busby‑Berkeley finale.

📺 What James Paul McCartney Was

A variety‑style TV special produced by ATV and directed by Dwight Hemion, featuring:

• Paul & Linda McCartney

• Wings (Denny Laine, Henry McCullough, Denny Seiwell)

• A blend of live studio performances, acoustic medleys, outdoor promo‑film segments, and comedy sketches.

It was McCartney’s first TV special since Magical Mystery Tour (1967) and was intended to demonstrate his range as a post‑Beatles artist.

🎬 Why the Special Was Made

The programme originated from McCartney’s two‑year legal dispute with ATV’s Sir Lew Grade.

• Grade objected to Linda McCartney being credited as co‑writer on Paul’s songs.

• McCartney agreed to make this TV special as part of the settlement, allowing him to retain publishing royalties for Linda’s co‑writing credits.

🎼 What’s in the Show? (Segment Breakdown)

Part 1 — Wings live performance

• “Big Barn Bed” Performed in a studio surrounded by TV screens.

Part 2 — Acoustic medley

McCartney performs while Linda photographs him. Songs include:

• “Blackbird”

• “Michelle”

• “Heart of the Country”

• “Bluebird” (cut from UK broadcast)

Part 3 — Outdoor promo segment

• “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

Part 4 — Studio performance with orchestra

• “My Love”

Other notable moments

• A street medley of Beatles songs with passers‑by

• “Live and Let Die” (promo‑style segment)

• “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” — a Busby‑Berkeley‑inspired finale originally written for Twiggy/Cilla Black

🎵 Music Featured

The special mixes:

• Early Wings material (“Big Barn Bed”, “My Love”, “The Mess”)

• Beatles classics (“Yesterday”, “Michelle”)

• Promotional pieces (“Live and Let Die”)

📡 Broadcast History

• 16 April 1973 — ABC (United States)

• 10 May 1973 — ITV (United Kingdom)

💿 Later Availability

The full restored programme was officially released in 2018 as part of the Red Rose Speedway Super‑Deluxe Edition (DVD/Blu‑ray).

🧭 Critical Reception

Contemporary reviews were mixed to negative, criticising:

• uneven pacing

• whimsical tone

• McCartney’s suitability for a full variety show But later reassessments highlight its proto‑MTV music‑video style and candid look at early Wings.

🎥 Want the full video?

The special is not freely available in official full form online, but the 2018 Red Rose Speedway box set includes the complete restored version. Unofficial uploads exist on YouTube, such as:

• Paul McCartney TV Special (1973)

• James Paul McCartney TV Special 1973

If you want, I can break down every song performed or give a scene‑by‑scene analysis.

James Paul McCartney TV Special 1973

James Paul McCartney (1973) is a 50‑minute ATV television special starring Paul McCartney and Wings, first broadcast in April–May 1973. It was McCartney’s first major TV showcase after the Beatles and was created as part of his settlement with ATV’s Sir Lew Grade.

Below is a complete, structured overview based entirely on verified sources.

🎬 What James Paul McCartney Is

A variety‑style music special produced by ATV, directed by Dwight Hemion, and starring:

• Paul McCartney

• Linda McCartney

• Denny Laine

• Henry McCullough

• Denny Seiwell

• Wings (as a group)

It mixes live performances, acoustic sets, outdoor promo‑film segments, and sketch‑style interludes.

📡 Broadcast Dates

• 16 April 1973 — ABC (United States)

• 10 May 1973 — ITV (United Kingdom)

Running time: ~50 minutes.

🧭 Why the Special Was Made

McCartney agreed to make the programme to settle a two‑year legal dispute with ATV owner Sir Lew Grade, who objected to Linda McCartney being credited as co‑writer on Paul’s songs. The special allowed McCartney to retain publishing royalties for Linda’s co‑writing credits.

🎼 Programme Content (Segment Breakdown)

Part 1 — Wings live performance

• “Big Barn Bed” Performed in a studio surrounded by TV screens.

Part 2 — Acoustic medley

Filmed during a photo session with Linda. Songs:

• “Blackbird”

• “Bluebird” (cut from UK broadcast)

• “Michelle”

• “Heart of the Country”

Part 3 — Outdoor promo segment

• “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

Part 4 — Studio performance with orchestra

• “My Love”

Finale — Busby Berkeley‑style number

• “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” Originally written for Twiggy/Cilla Black.

🎵 Additional Songs Featured

Different broadcasts and edits include:

• “The Mess”

• “Live and Let Die” (promo‑style segment)

• Street medley of Beatles songs

📀 Later Availability

The full restored special was officially released on DVD/Blu‑ray in 2018 as part of the Red Rose Speedway Super‑Deluxe Edition.

🎥 Full Video Availability

Official full uploads do not exist freely online, but several unofficial YouTube versions circulate, such as:

• Paul McCartney TV Special (1973)

• James Paul McCartney TV Special 1973

These are bootleg copies, not authorised releases.

⭐ Critical Reception

Contemporary reviews were mixed, but modern viewers appreciate:

• early Wings performances

• rare acoustic medleys

• the unusual variety‑show format

• the proto‑music‑video style

If you want, I can list all songs in order or give a scene‑by‑scene breakdown.

List all songs in James Paul McCartney special

Takeaway: Here is the complete, authoritative list of every song performed or featured in the 1973 James Paul McCartney ATV television special — in programme order, with notes on which versions appeared in the US vs UK broadcasts.

I’ve included Guided Links so you can jump into any track you want to explore next.

🎼 Full Song List — James Paul McCartney (1973)

1️⃣ Big Barn Bed

Opening Wings performance in the TV studio.

2️⃣ Blackbird

Part of the acoustic medley filmed during Linda’s photo session.

3️⃣ Bluebird

Included in the US broadcast, cut from the UK broadcast.

4️⃣ Michelle

Acoustic segment continuation.

5️⃣ Heart of the Country

Another acoustic piece from the medley.

6️⃣ Mary Had a Little Lamb

Outdoor promo‑style film sequence.

7️⃣ My Love

Full orchestral studio performance; one of the show’s centrepieces.

8️⃣ Live and Let Die

Shown as a promo‑film segment (not a live performance).

9️⃣ The Mess

Live Wings performance (studio‑based).

🔟 Beatles Street Medley

Paul sings fragments with passers‑by:

• Yesterday

• You Never Give Me Your Money (brief line)

• Yellow Submarine

• She Loves You

• Hey Jude (closing chant)

1️⃣1️⃣ Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance

The Busby‑Berkeley‑style finale with dancers and elaborate staging.

📝 Notes on Variations

• The US version includes Bluebird; the UK version does not.

• Some Beatles fragments vary slightly between surviving tapes.

• The 2018 Red Rose Speedway Super‑Deluxe Edition includes the restored full version.

If you want, I can also produce a scene‑by‑scene breakdown of the entire special or a Wings‑only song list.