(Saturday, July 22, 1972) — “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by former Beatle Paul McCartney’s new group, Wings, peaked at #28 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.

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)'

It was McCartney’s fourth of 35 top 40 hits since leaving The Beatles (1971-1989).

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

Video: 'Paul McCartney and Wings - Mary Had A Little Lamb Versions 1-4 Multicam'