US single release: Seaside Woman by Suzy And The Red Stripes – 31 May 1977
Tuesday 31 May 1977 | Paul McCartney, Release, Wings
On Tuesday 31 May 1977, 'Seaside Woman' — credited to Suzy And The Red Stripes — was released as a single in the United States by Epic Records. The song was written and performed by Linda McCartney and produced by Paul McCartney.
The Recording
'Seaside Woman' had been recorded by Wings on 20 and 21 March 1972 during the Red Rose Speedway sessions. Heavily influenced by the reggae music Linda and Paul had encountered during a trip to Jamaica, the track had been sitting in the vaults for five years before its eventual US release.
The B-side, 'B-Side To Seaside', was written by Paul McCartney and featured just him and Linda. It was initially recorded on 18 February 1977 at Abbey Road Studios, before being re-recorded from scratch on 16, 17, and 18 March 1977.
The Name: Suzy And The Red Stripes
Linda explained the origin of the name in an interview published in Paul McCartney In His Own Words by Paul Gambaccini:
"We're going to put the single out under the name Suzi and the Red Stripes. When we were in Jamaica, there had been a fantastic reggae version of 'Suzi Q', so they used to call me Suzi. And the beer in Jamaica is called Red Stripe, so that makes it Suzi and the Red Stripes. It'll be out someday, but I've been saying 'Seaside Woman' will be released since 1971 and we still haven't bothered. It's a bit like my photography book. Someday there will be a book."
— Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney In His Own Words, Paul Gambaccini
Linda also spoke candidly about her approach to songwriting:
"I fool around with the songs I write, but I don't take it as a serious career. I did a song, 'Seaside Woman', right after we'd been to Jamaica, about three or four years ago, I guess. Very reggae-inspired. That's when ATV was suing us saying I was incapable of writing, so Paul said, 'Get out and write a song.' And then about a week ago we went in to a b-side for it of something I'd written in Africa, and we just talk over it. It's very sort of Fifties R&B, the Doves, the Penguins. I love that, that was my era. I'm New York, you know. Alan Freed and the whole bit."
— Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney In His Own Words, Paul Gambaccini
Chart Performance
'Seaside Woman' spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 59.
Key Facts: 31 May 1977
- Release: 'Seaside Woman' / 'B-Side To Seaside' (single)
- Artist: Suzy And The Red Stripes (Linda McCartney)
- Label: Epic Records (US)
- Release date: 31 May 1977
- Written by: Linda McCartney
- Produced by: Paul McCartney
- Recorded: 20–21 March 1972, during Red Rose Speedway sessions
- B-side: 'B-Side To Seaside' (written by Paul McCartney; recorded February–March 1977, Abbey Road)
- Chart peak: No. 59, Billboard Hot 100 (5 weeks on chart)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suzy And The Red Stripes?
Suzy And The Red Stripes was the pseudonym used for Linda McCartney's single 'Seaside Woman'. The name came from Linda's nickname 'Suzi' (given to her in Jamaica after a reggae version of 'Suzi Q') and Red Stripe, the Jamaican beer.
When was 'Seaside Woman' recorded?
It was recorded by Wings on 20 and 21 March 1972 during the Red Rose Speedway sessions, five years before its US release.
Who wrote 'Seaside Woman'?
Linda McCartney wrote the song, inspired by a trip to Jamaica. It was produced by Paul McCartney.
How did 'Seaside Woman' perform on the charts?
The single spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 59.
What is the B-side of 'Seaside Woman'?
'B-Side To Seaside', written by Paul McCartney and featuring just Paul and Linda. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in February and March 1977.
Shop Beatles Merch: Beatles T-Shirts & Tops | Shop by Era
0 comments