"Suicide" was a song written by Paul McCartney when he was just 14 years old. It was considered for release three times and is available (bootlegged) as a studio outtake from both the Beatles and Paul McCartney & Wings. The first time McCartney considered releasing the song was in 1970 when recording his McCartney album. He later decided that it didn't fit in well with the family atmosphere of his album and it was dropped minus a few seconds of it at the end of "Hot As Sun / Glasses". The second time he considered releasing it was in 1974 when he attempted to give it to Frank Sinatra, who declined. Sinatra is quoted to have said "Is this guy trying to have me?" the third and final time McCartney attempted to release it was in 1975 when he recorded a piano/vocal only version of the song for the unreleased movie "One Hand Clapping", an unreleased documentary about Paul McCartney & Wings in the studio. Other versions include a complete, four minute demo, a live television performance and a short studio outtake from 1969.
Complete known history of the song:
195? - Paul McCartney writes the song on the family piano
1969 - A 46 second long single versed version is recorded during the "Get Back" sessions
1970 - 1:42 version taped for "McCartney", 8 seconds of which appeared on the album
1974 - A complete 3:46 Intro/Verse/Verse/Bridge/Verse/Bridge/Outro demo is taped by McCartney. The tape is offered to Frank Sinatra, who declines it.
1975 - A Verse/Verse version similar to the one from 1970 is taped at Abbey Road Studios
2001 - Paul plays a single verse of the song live on the Michael Parkinson Show, to some laughter from the studio audience.
