bush's record company, emi, originally chose another track, "james and the cold gun", as the lead single, but bush was determined to use "wuthering heights". the single was initially scheduled for 4 november 1977. however, bush was unhappy with the cover and insisted it be replaced. some copies of the single had already been sent out to radio stations, but emi relented and put back the single's launch until the new year. this proved to be a fortunate choice, as the earlier release would have had to compete with wings' latest release, "mull of kintyre", which became the biggest-selling single in uk history up to this point in december 1977.