Comments on: Venus And Mars

By: per

per — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 16:38:31 +0000

The only song on this LP that I find interesting is Magneto and Titanium man, which is quite catchy musically, but somewhat of a disaster lyrically. Listen to what the man said har a message and I can understand that it is catchy, but it does not touch me emotionally one bit.

By: David Mackin

David Mackin — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 18:45:07 +0000

Too much crap on this album. Listen To What The Man Said and Magneto and Titanium Man are two Paul being cute songs. Just awful.

By: Loz

Loz — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 00:56:30 +0000

While we were waiting to get into the stadium for the 1975 Wings concert in Adelaide, the band played Venus and Mars and maybe even more of the first set only to play it all over again in the actual concert. Complete with the lighting and special effects which we could see when the door opened every now and then. We weren’t allowed to enter till later. I presume they were taking footage for the film. Anyone remember that?

By: Luis Urtaza

Luis Urtaza — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 01:19:12 +0000

I was just listening to the (reprise) and when he says “a good friend of mine” does sound like it could be john and I believe they had recently seen each other too…

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 17:39:40 +0000

Joe English was originally in a band called Jam Factory, which had one LP on the Epic label. That album was released in 1970. It featured such classics as “Tight Knit Group” and “Brothers Gemini.” Jam Factory did some gigs in the Summer of ’70, with a band called Attila, which featured Billy Joel. The band folded in 1972.

By: castironshore

castironshore — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 08:18:35 +0000

‘Venus and mars’ and ‘band on the run’ for me are the best of paul’s solo work.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 12:13:54 +0000

I remember Listen To What The Man Said on the radio as a kid and just loving this song. It is a mid-70’s pop classic. Paul McCartney at his catchy and brilliant best.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:37:42 +0000

I love Venus and Mars.Band on The Run was McCartneys best solo work, but this album was the second best under the Wings banner in my view. I believe it is one of those underrated solo Beatles works and is a mid-70s classic.The US no 1 off it Listen To What The Man Said is a personal favorite of mine. Love In Song is beautiful and Venus and Mars/ Rock Show,Letting Go and Magneto and Titanium are others I love.

By: barry christiansen

barry christiansen — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:10:25 +0000

like that, interesting theory. will we ever know?

By: robert

robert — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 01:51:21 +0000

I’ve always felt that title song Venus and Mars was about Lennon and McCartney – consider the opening lyrics, and how John was supposed to come down to New Orleans to write and play with Paul again – I think Paul wrote this in anticipation of that – as if they are two planets back in orbit again. Anyone else?

By: GK

GK — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 18:27:42 +0000

I was lucky enough to see the 1975 World Tour rehearsals at Elstree Studios . This album was out that summer and although they played quite a few career spanning tracks, including some Beatles tracks , “Venus and Mars ” was the BIG FEATURE .
I saw them at Hammersmith Odeon, twice , and the minute Paul sat on stage playing his acoustic to Venus and Mars everyone was enthralled ! A real live Beatle and a good band , now with Jimmy McCullough and Joe English joining Linda and Denny and Paul .
Rock Show on the album is longer than the one heard on the radio as a single edit , none the worse for that as it blasts out ! I loved ” Love In Song” with its 12 string and “Back to the Home Land ” lyrics. This is a beautiful and timeless piece of music. “Letting Go ” , I love , the brother of ” Let Me Roll It ” from Band On the Run , good lyrics .
Other highlights , ” Medicine Jar” by Jimmy McCullough, great rock track with a good vocal from Jimmy , those lovely Paul and Linda backing vocals that are so under rated , and blistering guitar from Jimmy . What a shame Jimmy ended up dead four later at such a young age , how did that happen ?
“Listen to What The Man Said” most people will know, perfect single for the sunny summer of 1975 , “Soldier Boy . kisses girl ” people criticise Paul’s lyrics sometimes, but there is a touch that gets you .
” Treat Her Kind / Lonely Old People ” great melody , brave song , it wasn’t hip to sing about old people in 1975.
“You Never Give Me The Answer ” , sort of 30’s pastiche (prabably for his Dad) , is a cousin of “Honey Pie ” from the White album , not my taste . ” Magneto and Titanium Man ” had the big comic backdrops on the Concert Tour, commercial and unusual, proving Paul could write about anything, not to every ones taste though. Denny sang “Spirits of Ancient Egypt” , which I always wanted to like , but never quite gets there.”Call Me Back Again ” with Paul showing off on vocals , but quite a weak track really .
Finished by “Cross Roads” after the Lonely Only People medley , then the immortal line “Nice Bass Player”
After Band On the Run ” there was a feeling of anti climax from some people. But its upbeat , full of great hooks and melodies, great vocals as always, so well worth buying.

By: paulsbass

paulsbass — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:59:03 +0000

According to a German book called “Listen to what the man said” (1991) by Judtih Philipp/Rolf Aimon he plays on “Rockshow”.

It’s a nice book, with commentaries to almost every Macca solo song.
Unfortunately it’s not always correct, and they don’t make excact quotes.
They DO list their sources at the end, but they don’t name the source at the quote.

They also have a day by day history of Paul, with interviews, concerts and everything, from 1970 to 1990.

They don’t say anything about Macca’s guitar playing (compare to Mull of Kintyre) , but the hard “attack” on the strumming at the beginning is very much Paul’s style, and it would be natural for him to play on the title track.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:21:27 +0000

On which song(s) does Afro perform?

By: paulsbass

paulsbass — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:12:13 +0000

A guy called Afro is playing Congas on the album.
I also think that the “Venus and Mars” acoustic guitar sounds VERY much like Paul, so it might be fair to assume he joined in on the recording.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:56:51 +0000

They weren’t UK singles though. Here are the UK releases (and chart placings) up to Venus And Mars:
Another Day (2)
Back Seat Of My Car (39)
Give Ireland Back To The Irish (16)
Mary Had A Little Lamb (9)
Hi, Hi, Hi (5)
My Love (9)
Live And Let Die (9)
Helen Wheels (12)
Jet (7)
Band On The Run (3)
Junior’s Farm (16)
Listen To What The Man Said (6)
Letting Go (41)
Venus And Mars (failed to chart)

You could argue that Letting Go was the first to not chart, as generally only the top 40 counted in those days. Walking In The Park With Eloise (by The Country Hams, October 1974) also failed to chart, but it’s not normally considered a proper McCartney single (he played bass on it and his dad Jim wrote it).

By: Joseph Brush

Joseph Brush — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:32:46 +0000

Eat At Home and Mrs. Vandebilt also did not chart in the UK.

By: mr. Sun king coming together

mr. Sun king coming together — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:31:48 +0000

Was Venus And Mars his first single not to chart in the UK?