'Mary Had a Little Lamb' by Wings debuts at #85 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 17 1972)

(Saturday, June 17, 1972) — “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by former Beatle Paul McCartney and his new group, Wings, debuted at #85 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings - Mary Had A Little Lamb (Countryside Video)'

At the time, some observers such as Roy Carr and Tony Tyler of New Musical Express presumed the song was recorded by McCartney in response to the BBC ban of his previous single, the political “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” but McCartney has denied this, saying that it was a sincere effort to write a song for children.

Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings - Mary Had A Little Lamb (Official Music Video, Remastered)'

In fact, the song was written before “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” as a demo of the song can be heard during an interview recorded for radio station WRKO in December 1971.

Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings - Mary Had A Little Lamb (Psychedelic Video)'