In 1972 legendary English songwriter Paul McCartney wrote the song, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish.” It was promptly banned from broadcast in the United Kingdom and not played by the majority of radio stations in the United States. However, it was the number one song in Ireland.

Give Ireland Back to the Irish

“Give Ireland Back to the Irish” is a song by the British–American rock band Wings that was released as their debut single in February 1972. It was written by Paul McCartney and his wife Linda in response to the events of Bloody Sunday, on 30 January that year, when British troops in Northern Ireland shot dead thirteen civil rights protestors. Keen to voice their outrage at the killings, Wings recorded the track two days later at Abbey Road Studios in London. It was the band’s first song to include Northern Irish guitarist Henry McCullough.

“Give Ireland Back to the Irish” was banned from broadcast in the UK by the BBC and other organisations, and was overlooked by the majority of radio programmers in the United States. The single peake… Continue Reading (9 minute read)