Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

C Moon

"C Moon" is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney and performed by Wings. It was released as a double A-side with "Hi, Hi, Hi" in 1972. The single reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and since "Hi, Hi, Hi" was banned by the BBC, "C Moon" received much airplay in the United Kingdom. In the United States, "C Moon" did not appear on any of the major record charts.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
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"C Moon"
Label of the UK 7-inch single
Single by Wings
A-side"Hi, Hi, Hi"
Released1 December 1972
Recorded2 September 1972
StudioMorgan Studios, London
Genre
Length4:33
LabelApple Records
Songwriters
ProducerPaul McCartney
Wings singles chronology
"Mary Had a Little Lamb"
(1972) 		"C Moon" / "Hi, Hi, Hi"
(1972) 		"My Love"
(1973)
Alternative cover art
Back cover of the German release of "Hi Hi Hi"

"C Moon" is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney and performed by Wings. It was released as a double A-side with "Hi, Hi, Hi" in 1972. The single reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and since "Hi, Hi, Hi" was banned by the BBC, "C Moon" received much airplay in the United Kingdom.23 In the United States, "C Moon" did not appear on any of the major record charts.4

Lyrics and structure

The title "C Moon" was inspired by lyrics in the song "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. McCartney said, "There's a line in [Wooly Bully] that says, 'Let's not be L7.' Well, L7, it was explained at the time, means a square—put L and 7 together and you get a square... So I thought of the idea of putting a C and a moon together (a half-moon) to get the opposite of a square. So 'C Moon' means cool, in other words."5

The recording includes a missed-cue intro that was kept in the released version.6

The song is in the key of C and is in 4
4 time. The performers change instruments from their usual places. Guitarist Henry McCullough plays drums and tambourine, guitarist Denny Laine plays bass, and drummer Denny Seiwell plays xylophone and cornet.7

The song was recorded around the same time as "Hi, Hi, Hi", in September 1972.8

Releases

Country UK US Germany France Japan
Label Apple Apple EMI Electrola/Apple Apple Apple
Catalogue number R 5973 1857 1C006-05208 2C006-05208 EAR-10241
Release date 1 December 1972 4 December 1972 December, 1972 20 January 1973
Chart ratings 5
(16 January 1973) 		— N/A N/A 26
(February, 1973)

The song was included on the Paul McCartney compilation albums All the Best! (1987) and Wingspan: Hits and History (2001) and as a bonus track on the 1993 remastered CD of Red Rose Speedway, as part of The Paul McCartney Collection. It was also included on The 7" Singles Box in 2022.9

Personnel

References

References

  1. Wawzenek, Bryan (7 March 2014). "Top 10 Reggae Rock Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  2. McGee 2003, p. 35.
  3. "Official Charts: Paul McCartney". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book. Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
  5. McGee 2003, p. 198.
  6. Luca Perasi, Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013), L.I.L.Y. Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-88-909122-1-4, p.92
  7. Rhino Records 2007.
  8. "Hi, Hi, Hi / C Moon (Album)".
  9. "'The 7" Singles Box' – Out 2 December 2022". PaulMcCartney.com. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
Sources

Sources

  • McCartney, Paul (2007). The McCartney Years (DVD). Rhino Records.
  • McGee, Garry (2003). Band on the Run: A History of Paul McCartney and Wings. New York: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-0-87833-304-2.