November | 2012 | chained and perfumed

the word ‘wild’ applies…

We’re starting a new occasional feature today wherein guest writers contribute appreciations of Paul McCartney’s second, less loved band, Wings. First up, Jess Rotter on the song Wild Life from Wings’ first album.

Wings – “Wild Life” by Jess Rotter

“You’re moving so fast, but baby you know not where..”

Ahh the half-glassed glory of 1971’s “Wild Life” – the last song (track 4) on side one of Wing’s Wild Life record questioning, essentially, just what the hell happened? While people argued the lighter direction of this record to be a bit of a burn, that is not to be said about this whopper title ballad which has been a repeat staple of Rotter corner for years. It’s the great blues-filled shoulder shrug riff that transports you to the end of a seedy bar while the gorgeous starlit chorus soars around the room; almost as if the full Muppet cast is singing around you “Benny and the Jets” style. But besides the puppet glimpses, “Wild Life” can be super gutting. It wasn’t until my late 20’s when my dad’s copy of this record began to surface/hit home so hard like a cliff hanger..a ponder jam: what comes next…? As Paul says: “What’s gonna happen to?”

I have written about this song many times through the years on my Rotter and Friends blog – it’s a sincere personal totem and has provided many a booze-filled soundtrack to my artwork and heartbreaks. Here’s hoping…it inspires you too.

NYC-based master of poppy psyche scribble Jess Rotter paints and draws
trippy worlds that have been exhibited in galleries and boutiques in
New York City, Los Angeles, Marfa, and Tokyo. Her whimsical,
hand-drawn illustrations have appeared on album + book covers, wood
burns, stickers, and limited edition musical T-shirt label, Rotter and
Friends (www.rotterandfriends.com).