US album release: Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney – 27 May 1997

Q: Where does the title Flaming Pie come from?

From a 1961 John Lennon interview in which he jokingly explained the Beatles' name by saying 'a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, From this day on you are Beatles with an A.'

May 27, 2026

US album release: Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney – 27 May 1997

Tuesday 27 May 1997 | Paul McCartney, Release

Flaming Pie, Paul McCartney's tenth solo studio album, was released in the United States on 27 May 1997 — three weeks after its UK release on 5 May 1997. It was McCartney's first new album in four years, following his work on The Beatles' Anthology project, and his highest-charting new entry in the UK since Flowers In The Dirt in 1989.

Chart Performance

In the United Kingdom, Flaming Pie peaked at number two — held off the top spot by the Spice Girls' debut album Spice. It was McCartney's highest new entry since Flowers In The Dirt (1989).

In the United States, the three-week gap between the UK and US releases meant many American fans had already bought imported copies, affecting first-week sales. Despite this, Flaming Pie also peaked at number two in the US — again held off the top by the Spice Girls.

The album also went top 10 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain, and was certified gold in Japan, Norway, the UK, and the US.

Grammy Nomination

Flaming Pie was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1998 Grammy Awards, losing out to Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind.

The Album

Flaming Pie was McCartney's first studio album since Off The Ground (1993). It was recorded between 1995 and 1997, during and after his work on The Beatles Anthology — the documentary series, triple album, and accompanying book that had reawakened public interest in The Beatles and, by extension, in McCartney himself.

The album was produced by McCartney with Jeff Lynne (who had also produced the Anthology tracks 'Free As A Bird' and 'Real Love'), George Martin, and Steve Miller. It featured contributions from McCartney's son James McCartney and from Ringo Starr, who played drums on several tracks.

The album's title came from a famous piece of Beatles mythology: in a 1961 interview, John Lennon had jokingly explained the origin of the name “Beatles” by saying that “a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, 'From this day on you are Beatles with an A.'” McCartney had always loved the story, and used it as the album title as a nod to the Anthology period.

Key Facts: 27 May 1997

Album: Flaming Pie
Artist: Paul McCartney
US release date: 27 May 1997
UK release date: 5 May 1997
US chart peak: Number 2
UK chart peak: Number 2
Held off number one by: Spice Girls — Spice (both UK and US)
International: Top 10 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain
Certifications: Gold in Japan, Norway, UK, US
Grammy nomination: Album of the Year, 1998 (lost to Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind)
Previous album: Off The Ground (1993)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Flaming Pie released?

In the United Kingdom on 5 May 1997, and in the United States on 27 May 1997.

Why did Flaming Pie not reach number one?

It was held off the top spot in both the UK and the US by the Spice Girls' debut album Spice.

Where does the title Flaming Pie come from?

From a famous piece of Beatles mythology: in a 1961 interview, John Lennon jokingly explained the origin of the name 'Beatles' by saying that 'a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, From this day on you are Beatles with an A.' McCartney used it as the album title as a nod to the Anthology period.