<P> Originally, producer Harry Saltzman was interested in having Shirley Bassey or Thelma Houston perform it instead of Wings . Martin said McCartney would allow the song to be used in the movie only if Wings was able to perform the song in the opening credits . Saltzman, who had previously rejected the chance to produce A Hard Day's Night, decided not to make the same mistake twice and agreed . A second version of the song, performed by B.J. Arnau, also appears in the film . Arnau's performance originally was meant for the group Fifth Dimension . The Arnau version of the song appears on the soundtrack album as a component in a medley that also contains two George Martin - composed instrumental pieces, "Fillet of Soul--New Orleans" and "Fillet of Soul--Harlem". It was also released by RCA Records as a single in late June 1973 . </P> <P> Wings recorded "Live and Let Die" during the sessions for the Red Rose Speedway album, in October 1972 . The song was recorded at AIR Studios, with Ray Cooper providing percussion instruments . </P> <P> The song "Live and Let Die" was previewed in the 1973 television special James Paul McCartney, which aired on 16 April in the United States and 10 May in the United Kingdom . In the segment, McCartney and Wings were shown performing the song in his studio while clips of the film were shown, before the film's US theatrical release on 27 June . </P> <P> The single reached No. 2 in the US and No. 9 in the UK . The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies . </P>

When did the song live and let die come out