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Released in 1971

Wild Life

Written by Paul McCartney • Linda McCartney

Last updated on May 3, 2022

Album This song officially appears on the Wild Life LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1971

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1971, when Paul McCartney was 29 years old)

Master albums

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interviews

Related articles

“Wild Life” is a track of Wings’ debut and eponym album, “Wild Life“, released in December 1971. It was inspired by a safari Paul McCartney did in Kenya in November 1966, with Mal Evans and Jane Asher.

“Wild Life”, you know, you have to think about that!  The first song we’ve done which is us, you know, saying something as you say, is “Wild Life” and that just say you know that um, nature’s alright!  you know, that um, the wild state is a good state!  So why are we getting rid of it?  And animals are in zoos instead of just actually sort of running, you know like they’re supposed to.  We tend as animals, human animals, to be in a bit of a zoo, too.  We sit here, nine floors up!  Once I was in a game park in Africa just doing the tours through it, taking a drive through it and there’s a big sign at the entrance that just says remember, you know, all you people in motorcars, the animals have the right of way, and I liked that, you know, I liked the thought that somewhere they have the right of way over you.

Paul McCartney – From a Wings interview, late 1971 ?

‘Wild Life’ was to do with me having gone on safari and actually seeing that sign that I sing about: ‘The animals have the right of way’. Which really impressed me. You just realise the sort of dignity and strength of wild animals because here they’ve got the right of way. Whereas we’re all so full of our own importance. It’s kind of nice, you know. You’re just a guy in a Land Rover. You don’t matter so much! So that was why I wrote that song. Man, you know, we’re the “top species”, and yet we’re the ones who eff it up, which is not right. 

Paul McCartney – From paulmccartney.com, October 29, 2018

We didn’t stand up for millions of causes and stuff, like conservation, but the first song we did saying something was ‘Wild Life’ and that just said that nature was all right. The wild state is a good state so why are we getting rid of it? Let’s not. The animals are in zoos, instead of just running, like they are supposed to. Once I was in a game park in Africa, just doing the tour through and there was a big sign at the entrance and it said, ‘All you people in motor cars, remember the animals have the right of way.’ I liked that. I like that somewhere the animals have a right of way over you.

Paul McCartney – From “The Beatles: Off The Record 2 – The Dream is Over: Dream Is Over Vol 2” by Keith Badman

[Wild Life] is “the McCartneys making a statement about something which is important to them”

Paul McCartney’s spokesman – From Disc And Music Echo – November 13, 1971

“Wild Life” was played live during the 1972 Wings Over Europe Tour and 1973 UK Tour. It was rehearsed for the 1975 / 1976 Wings Over The World Tour, and for the 1989 / 1990 Paul McCartney World Tour. A snippet of it can also be heard on One Hand Clapping.

From Wings Wild Life | Paul McCartney & Wings

Lyrics

The word "Wild" applies to the words "You" and "Me"

While taking a walk

thru an African park one day

I saw a sign say "The animals have the right of way"

Wild life, whatever happened to

Wild life, the animals in the zoo?

You're breathing so hot.

A lot of political nonsense in the air.

You're making it hard for the people who live in there.

You're moving so fast,

But, baby, you know not where.

Wild life, (wild life), what's gonna happen to,

Wild life, (wild life), the animals in the zoo?

You'd better stop,

There's animals ev'rywhere,

And man is the top, an animal too,

And, man, you just got to care.

Wild life, (wild life), what's gonna happen to,

Wild life, (wild life), the animals in the zoo?

You're breathing a lot

Of political nonsense in the air.

You're making it hard for the people who live in there.

Wild life, what's gonna happen to

Wild life, the animals in the zoo?

Whatever happened to?

Wildlife.

Variations

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Wild Life”

Videos

Album One Hand Clapping (2 LP and 7”)

Concert Aug 21, 1972 in The Hague

Live performances

“Wild Life” has been played in 34 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Wild Life” has been played

See all concerts where “Wild Life” has been played

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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Jan van der Pütten • 4 years ago

Oh Paul

Can't tell you, how glad i am to find this Internet Project. I am listening to you (+ 3 you know) since 63 I think. I'm German 73 years. Thank you for all the years, many days and maybe more nights. Have hoped to see you 4.6. in Hannover, but than came Corona. Hope later on. Excuse my bad English.

The PaulMcCartney Project • 4 years ago

Thanks for the kind words, Jan. Hopefully, the European dates will be moved in 2021 ! Cheers.

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