Recording ‘The Mess’ by Wings at Olympic Studios – 8 March 1972

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Recording 'The Mess' by Wings – Olympic Studios, London, 8 March 1972

Wednesday 8 March 1972 | Paul McCartney, Studio, Wings

On 8 March 1972, Wings entered Studio One at Olympic Studios in London to begin recording a studio version of 'The Mess'. The session was produced by Glyn Johns and engineered by Phil Chapman.

The track would later appear as the B-side of the 'My Love' single, although the version eventually released was not the studio recording begun during this session.

The Origins of 'The Mess'

The song was originally developed during Wings' early rehearsals at the Scotch of St James club in London on 20 January 1972. At the time the working title was 'The Mess I'm In'.

Following these rehearsals, the band began performing the song during their February 1972 UK university tour, where it quickly became one of the highlights of their live set.

The energetic live performances of the song set a high bar that proved difficult to replicate in the studio.

The Olympic Studios Recording Session

When Wings attempted to record the song at Olympic Studios on 8 March 1972, the band recorded numerous takes in an effort to capture the raw energy of their stage performances.

Despite the repeated attempts, the band were reportedly unhappy with the best studio take. Nevertheless, Paul McCartney continued working on the recording and later added several overdubs, including:

• Piano
• Organ
• Lead vocals

Even with these additions, the recording ultimately failed to match the excitement of the live performances.

The Live Version Becomes the Official Release

Because the studio version did not meet the band's expectations, the recording was eventually shelved.

Instead, when the single 'My Love' was released in 1973, the B-side featured a live recording of 'The Mess' captured at the Congresgebouw in The Hague on 21 August 1972 during the Wings Over Europe Tour.

The live performance successfully captured the powerful energy that had made the song so popular during Wings' early concerts.

Wings in 1972

The recording session took place during an important early phase in Wings' development. After forming in 1971, Paul McCartney was determined to establish the group as a fully functioning band rather than relying solely on studio work.

Throughout 1972 Wings built their reputation through extensive touring and recording sessions, gradually refining their sound and lineup.

Songs like 'The Mess' demonstrate the raw rock energy that characterised the band's earliest performances.

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FAQs

Why was the studio version of 'The Mess' not released?

The studio version recorded on 8 March 1972 was shelved because it failed to capture the energy of Wings' live performances. A live recording from The Hague was used instead.