Let 'Em In



"Let 'Em In" is a song by Wings from their 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and reached the top 3 in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. It was a No. 2 hit in the UK; in the U.S. it was a No. 3 pop hit and No. 1 easy listening hit. In Canada, the song was No. 3 for three weeks on the pop chart and No. 1 for three weeks on the MOR chart of RPM magazine. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies. It can also be found on McCartney's 1987 compilation album, All the Best!  A demo of the song, featuring Denny Laine on lead vocal, was included as a bonus track on the Archive Collection reissue of Wings at the Speed of Sound.

The song starts with the sound of a vibraphone, chiming the first eight notes from the Westminster Quarters, before the rhythm begins. The lyric name-checks several famous people as well as McCartney's paternal aunt Gin and his brother Michael, and Linda McCartney's brother John. Phil and Don Everly (known as the Everly Brothers) are named along with Martin Luther. Uncle Ernie is named; this was the character Ringo Starr sang in the London Symphony Orchestra's recording of the Who's Tommy. "Let 'Em In" is noted for the false fade out, which, however, becomes loud for the last two notes of the song. The song makes use of the piano, drums, brass, including a trombone solo, and wind instruments, featuring flutes, plus backup vocals from Linda and other members of Wings.

Release
The song was released worldwide as a 7" single, except in France where it was released as 12" single (the first-ever McCartney 12") with both sides labelled "Special Disco Mix".

It was included on the compilation album Wings Greatest (1978), as well as the Paul McCartney compilation albums All the Best! (1987) and Wingspan: Hits and History (2001).

Track listings

 * 7" single (R 6015)
 * 1) "Let 'Em In" - 5:08
 * 2) "Beware My Love" - 6:05


 * 12" single (2C 052-98.062 y)
 * 1) "Let 'Em In" (Special Disco Mix) - 5:08
 * 2) "Beware My Love" (Special Disco Mix) - 6:05
 * A Released in France only.

Cover versions

 * The song was covered in 1977 by Billy Paul, substituting a list of notable African-American figures such as Malcolm X and Louis Armstrong in lieu of the people named in the original. This version reached No. 26 on the UK charts.