Long Haired Lady

Album This song officially appears on the Ram LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1971
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1970 (Paul McCartney was 28 years old)

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions








Related interviews


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Song facts

Long Haired Lady” is a track from 1971 “Ram” album, by Paul & Linda McCartney. From “Eight Arms To Hold You” by Chip Madinger & Mark Easter:

[…] ‘Long Haired Lady’ was one of the first in the solo McCartney catalog to feature the element of being “pieced together”. Paul had three segments “Well Well Well”, “Who’s The Lady?” and “Love Is Long” which he fashioned into one epic-length track, the longest on the LP […]

Long Haired Lady is very period piece, [fey Californian accent] ‘My long-haired lady.’ Very ’70s.

Paul McCartney, Mojo magazine, July 2001

From mixing engineering Eirik Wangberg:

Although the main bulk of the track had been done in New York, we did record a lot of background vocals at Sound Recorders.

There is also something about Long Haired Lady I’d like to mention. I remember playing the song back to Paul in the studio. He rested his arms on my shoulders after hearing it and, as I turned and looked at his face, tears were rolling down. Paul is a very, very sensitive person! Listening to his vocal work with Linda really got him into it. It was amazing.

Engineer Eirik Wangberg, interviewed by Claudio Dirani, 2005

In 2005, “Long Haired Lady” received the remix treatment of DJ Hellraiser, and was released on the “Twin Freaks” album.

From Better than looking in the mirror — Some of Paul McCartney’s handwritten RAM lyrics -… (tumblr.com)

Last updated on December 31, 2021

Lyrics

Well well well well well
Do you love me like you know you ought to do?
Well well well well well
Or is this the only thing you want me for?
Well, I've been meaning to talk to you about it for sometime,
Sweet little lass you know, my long haired lady.

Who's the lady that makes that brief occasional laughter?
She's the lady who wears those flashing eyes.
Who'll be taking her home when all the dancing is over?
I'm the lucky man she will hypnotize.
Long haired lady.

Bees are buzzing about my sweet delectable lady,
Birds are humming about their big surprise.
Who's your favourite person, dear phenomenal lady?
I belong to the girl with the flashing eyes.
Long haired lady.

My love is long, love is long, my love is long
I'll sing your song, love is long, my love is long
And when you're young, love is long, your love is long
When your lips lead into song, love is long, your love is long.

Officially appears on


Ram (Mono - promotional)

Official album • Released in 1971

6:05 • Studio versionB • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram

LP • Released in 1971

6:05 • Studio versionA • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Thrillington

LP • Released in 1977

5:49 • Studio versionC • Stereo • Instrumental version

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
The Swingle Singers :
Vocals
Unknown musician(s) :
Other strings, Pizzicatto strings, Trombones, Trumpets
The Mike Sammes Singers :
Vocals (?)

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


RAM (by DCC Compact Classics)

Official album • Released in 1993

6:05 • Studio versionA1993.1 • 1993 remaster by Steve Hoffman

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer
Steve Hoffman :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

6:05 • Studio versionA1993 • Stereo • 1993 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Thrillington

CD • Released in 1995

5:49 • Studio versionC1995 • Stereo • Instrumental version. 1995 remaster

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
The Swingle Singers :
Vocals
Unknown musician(s) :
Other strings, Pizzicatto strings, Trombones, Trumpets
The Mike Sammes Singers :
Vocals (?)

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Twin Freaks

Official album • Released in 2005

4:50 • Studio version

Paul McCartney :
Executive producer
Clive Goddard :
Mixing engineer
Freelance Hellraiser :
Producer

Session Recording:
Circa 2004
Studio :
Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

6:05 • Studio versionA2012 • Stereo • 2012 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

6:05 • Studio versionB2012 • Mono • 2012 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

5:49 • Studio versionC2012 • Thrillington: 2012 remaster

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
The Swingle Singers :
Vocals
Unknown musician(s) :
Other strings, Pizzicatto strings, Trombones, Trumpets
The Mike Sammes Singers :
Vocals (?)

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Bootlegs


Wings Multi Tracks

Unofficial album

5:31 • Studio version • Reprise


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol. 2

Unofficial album • Released in 2002

6:02 • Outtake • Early take - Ram sessions 11/70 - 3/71


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol. 4

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

1:23 • Studio version


The Alternate Ram

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

6:01 • Studio versionB • Mono • Original mono promo LP, especially made for the American AM stations. All the songs have different mixes

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin (?), Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer, Vocals
Denny Seiwell :
Drums
Hugh McCracken :
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Marvin Stamm :
Brass
Mel Davis :
Brass
Ray Crisara :
Brass
Snooky Young :
Brass
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra :
Horns, Strings
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 27, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
Jan 11, 1971
Studio :
A&R Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Studio Rarities Vol. 1

Unofficial album • Released in 2014

6:03 • Outtake • backing track with Rough vocal


Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further


Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

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