Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles
Foreground

Thursday, February 10, 1972

“Give Ireland Back To The Irish” banned

, ,

Last updated on August 2, 2023


Timeline

Related master release

Related album

Related song

Related articles

On January 30, 1972, British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in Derry, Northern Ireland. Paul McCartney decided to react by writing and recording a protect song, “Give Ireland Back To The Irish“, in early February.

The track was planned to be issued as Wings’ first non-album single, on February 25.

On this day, February 10, while Paul and Wings were in York for the second concert of their University Tour, the BBC and Radio Luxembourg decided to ban the song, due to its political nature.

The BBC banned political songs, including “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” by Paul McCartney and Wings, because the mention of the title implied the station had a political position on Northern Ireland… The banning meant that the name of the song, which occupied a high position on a weekly list of best-selling songs, had to be omitted by any disc jockey. He or she would merely state that position ‘x’ on the list was occupied by an unspecified Paul McCartney song.

Marilyn Flood, 1991 – Quoted in “Ireland: Revolution and Evolution” by John R. Strachan

We will not be playing this record, because we feel the lyrics adopt a definite standpoint on the Northern Ireland situation and are therefore politically controversial.

BBC spokesman to Record Mirror magazine

As a citizen of the UK, Paul feels a mistake is being made in Ulster. He is not a politician, but believes the majority of British and Irish people think Ireland should be given back to the Irish. Paul is very patriotic and loves Britain and this is his personal view. He and his wife have dedicated the single to Mr. Heath. Paul has not been informed about the ban as he is on tour in Britain, and nobody knows exactly where.

A spokesman to Paul McCartney – From Maccazine – Volume 47, Issue 1 – The birth of Wings

This song is not anti-British and does not incite violence. The lyrics represent a comment from Paul McCartney. As an international company, EMI holds no political views and is issuing the record in the usual way. Opinions expressed by Paul McCartney may not necessarily be those of the other three Beatles or those by Apple.

Statement from EMI Records – From Maccazine – Volume 47, Issue 1 – The birth of Wings

“Give Ireland Back to the Irish” was written after Bloody Sunday. British soldiers had fired at a crowd of demonstrators and there were deaths. From our point of view, looking at it on the TV news, it was the first time people questioned what we were doing in Ireland. lt was so shocking. I wasn’t really into protest songs – John had done that – but this time I felt that I had to write something, to use my art to protest. I wrote Give Ireland Back to the Irish, we recorded it and I was promptly phoned by the chairman of EMI, Sir Joseph Lockwood, explaining that they wouldn’t release it. He thought it was too inflammatory. I told him that I felt strongly about it and that they had to release it, and he said, ‘Well, it’ll be banned’. And of course it was – the BBC could not play it. But it was number one in Ireland, and in Spain for some reason. It was just on of those things you have to do in life because you believe in the cause. And protest was in the context of the times.

Paul McCartney – From “Wingspan: Paul McCartney’s Band on the Run“, 2002

BBC bans Paul’s song of protest

A PROTEST song written by former Beatle Paul McCartney, calling for British troops to get out of Northern Ireland, has been banned by the BBC.

The song, called “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” was written by McCartney two days after 13 people were shot dead on Londonderry’s “Bloody Sunday.”

After hearing of the ban, the Apple Corporation, which releases all the Beatles’ records, tried to buy time on commercial television to promote the record, using film of Paul McCartney.

The Independent Television Authority said that it had banned advertisements for the song because it contained “political controversy” not allowed by the ITA Act.

Radio Luxemburg also banned the song. A spokesman said the disc was obviously “politically biased” and Radio Luxembourg would not get involved.

The song is recorded by McCartney’s new group “Wings” with him singing and his wife playing the organ. The record is due to be released by Apple on Friday next week.

McCartney claims that the song is “patriotic” to Britain, but says that Ireland should be made Irish immediately.

BBC has put a total ban on the protest song. A spokesman said: “We have decided not to play the record because we feel the lyrics adopt a definite standpoint on the Northern Ireland situation and are therefore clearly politically controversial.

It is unusual for the BBC to put complete ban on a record. Usually, an offensive record is banished to off-peak listening.

The former Beatle said: “It is my personal opinion as British citizen. Much as I love Britain, I feel that a mistake is being made in Ulster. It seems to me that the majority of Irish and British feel Ireland should be given back to the Irish.

The lyric is the copyright of Northern Songs. In one part, McCartney says: “Great Britain you are tremendous and nobody knows like me, but really what are we doing in that land across the sea?

At the end of each verse, McCartney calls on the British to “Give Ireland back to the Irish.

From Aberdeen Evening Express – Friday 11 February 1972
From Aberdeen Evening Express – Friday 11 February 1972

WINGS SINGLE DATE

THE New Wings single, “Give Ireland Back To Irish,” is due next Friday, February 18. Inspired by Ireland’s “Bloody Sunday,” Paul McCartney wrote the song last Tuesday (February 1), recording it the same day at London’s Abbey Road Studios, with his wife Linda on organ, Henry McCulloch (lead guitar), Denny Laine (rhythm) and Denny Seiwell (drums).

B-side is an instrumental version and the single is on Apple priced 50p and carrying a special shamrock label design.

The BBC told Disc that a ban on the song, which calls for British troops to leave Ireland, is unlikely, although they haven’t yet received copies of the single.

We have banned seven records since 1964. We won’t ban this one unless we have to,” said a spokesman.

From Disc And Music Echo, February 12, 1972
From Disc And Music Echo, February 12, 1972
From Record Mirror – February 19, 1972

Does the BBC ban of Wings’ ‘Irish’ raise the question of Freedom of Song?

WITH THE BBC still refusing to play ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ by Wings, even though it has now made the Top Twenty, I think it is time that their motives behind this ban were queried.

They say they will not play the record as it is a political statement. However, is their attitude any the less of a political statement?

What the BBC are really saying is that this song is contrary to the view they think should be expressed and therefore they will not play it.

Whether or not you agree with the sentiments of this record, we are supposed to be living in a free, democratic country, and that means freedom to speak, sing and play any song we choose without any interference from self-appointed censors – IAN ABRAHAMS. 305 Halfway Street, Sidcup, Kent. DA15 8DP.

but not everyone agrees with Paul

What a shrewd fellow Paul McCartney is! After a dismal chart rating with his last single ‘Back Seat Of My Car’ he has now recorded a number which he knew would be banned. The gimmick value of ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ should be sufficient to give Wings a top five hit, but doesn’t the music matter to Paul and his friends anymore? – STEVE KIRKHAM, 36 Orchard Meadow Walk, Castle Vale, Birmingham 35 7LU

So McCartney has been banned for his new record and a good thing too. I would have thought he’d made enough money without cashing in on other people’s mishaps. If he knows so much about Ireland, let him join the army for six months and see if he still holds he same beliefs. We’ve done two years out there and earnt every penny we got. I wonder if McCartney can say the same? 24089357 L/Cpl. BARKER, ACC Attchd 1st Royal Anglians, Salamanga Bks, BFPO 53. […]

From Record Mirror, April 1, 1972
From Record Mirror, April 1, 1972

Phlegmatic Paul…

AFTER a prolonged period of dormancy it looks as though Paul McCartney is climbing back into the controversy ring. This week his first single with his new group Wings, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, was banned by not only the BBC but also the ITA and Radio Luxembourg. So no matter how big a hit it becomes and those who know think it may well be a monster, you’re only going to hear it in this country if you go out and buy a copy. Apparently, all the broadcasting authorities thought the lyrics were provocative McCartney for his part is taking his new setback with an uncharacteristic phlegm. Says he: “I think the BBC should be highly praised for guarding our youth against the contaminating effect of my opinion.” Adding as an afterthought. “Up ’em!”

From The Guardian, February 12, 1972
From The Guardian, February 12, 1972

From Facebook – February 1972, Paul McCartney and his band were on the road for the first time, their first single – ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ – banned by every major broadcaster. No radio play, no problem – McCartney just took out full-page ads in the national press to spread his message instead.
From New Musical Express, February 26, 1972
From Daily Mirror – Monday 20 March 1972
From Disc And Music Echo, February 2, 19
From Disc And Music Echo, February 2, 19

Paul, somebody wants you

IT SEEMS it’s not true that “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” has been banned by all the television networks.

“Today,” Thames TV’s daily magazine programme, has been after McCartney for the past five weeks in the hope that he would appear to discuss points arising from the single. Dave Clark, a researcher for the programme, says they’re quite willing to play the single: “We know that McCartney wanted to put an ad on the channel and this was refused by our commercial department. But our legal department has heard it and they’re satisfied there’s no harmful content as regards playing it. Many people concerned with ‘Today’ were keen to have Paul, but we’ve had no joy in getting in touch with him. We’ve tried every means. We’d just like to point out that he’s not been banned by Thames. And we feel he should never have been banned by the BBC.”

EMI Records have substantial shareholdings in Thames. EMI, of course, are distributing McCartney’s single.

From Melody Maker, March 25, 1972
From Melody Maker, March 25, 1972
From Melody Maker, February 12, 1972
From Melody Maker, February 12, 1972
From New Musical Express – February 19, 1972
From New Musical Express – April 8, 1972

Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001

"An updated edition of the best-seller. The story of what happened to the band members, their families and friends after the 1970 break-up is brought right up to date. A fascinating and meticulous piece of Beatles scholarship."

We owe a lot to Keith Badman for the creation of those pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - a day to day chronology of what happened to the four Beatles after the break-up and how their stories intertwined together!

Shop on Amazon

The Beatles - The Dream is Over: Off The Record 2

This edition of the book compiles more outrageous opinions and unrehearsed interviews from the former Beatles and the people who surrounded them. Keith Badman unearths a treasury of Beatles sound bites and points-of-view, taken from the post break up years. Includes insights from Yoko Ono, Linda McCartney, Barbara Bach and many more.

Shop on Amazon

Maccazine - Volume 47, Issue 1 - The birth of Wings

"Maccazine is a hard copy magazine (a bound paperback) about Paul McCartney. It is published twice a year. Due to the fact that the Internet has taken over the world and the fact that the latest Paul McCartney news is to be found on hundreds of websites, we have decided to focus on creating an informative paper magazine about Paul McCartney."

"In this issue we take you back to the early days of Paul McCartney’s solo career when he decided to form a new group. With Wings he proved there was life after The Beatles. This Maccazine features a detailed timeline of ‘the birth’ of the band with interesting entries including many new facts and unpublished photos. Follow-up timelines will be published in the upcoming years."

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.