Here is what I consider to be Paul McCartney’s best ever:
10. Fine Line –
This particular song is the biggest gem of McCartney’s latest album – “Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard.” If you hang around macca-central.com, the best McCartney fan site on the ‘net, you soon realize that “Chaos and Creation” is just the latest in a four album sting of evolution in McCartney’s solo career. It builds on what’s been created with “Flaming Pie,” “Run Devil Run,” and “Driving Rain.” While “Flaming Pie” was released just prior to Linda’s death in 1998, there is a sense of foreboding in the album that is almost eerie. There is even a song written for Ringo’s wife Maureen who lost her battle with cancer. Fine Line” highlights the emotional development of an artist in a league of his own.
9. Souvenirs –
This raspy look back to better times is far from the only jewel on “Flaming Pie,” but it is my favorite. I like to think of it as a tribute to all of the wonderful times he had with Linda, and prior to his relationship to her, the Beatles. It fits the album wonderfully. If you are unfamiliar with McCartney’s solo work in the ’90s and 2000s, “Flaming Pie” is the perfect place to start. Unfortunately, I think those nostalgic for the Beatles and Wings overlook a lot of his wonderful later solo works.
8. Give Ireland Back to the Irish –
This rocking protest song rivals any protest song written by Lennon. In a time of relative peace in Ireland, it is easy to forget just how tense things were back in the ’70s. The sentiment in the song is universal and neatly fits into its rock treatment.
7. Wanderlust –
There are rumors that McCartney wrote this song for Wings while trying to dodge drug possession charges by sailing in the Caribbean (They recorded the “Band on the Run” album while at sea, supposedly.). Whatever the circumstances, the song has an ethereal quality that suits any time on the sea perfectly. If you listen to the lyrics carefully, you can see how the rumors started. Candy for the ears.
6. Another Day –
Some may consider this a throwaway song from the Wings era, but in my opinion, any woman who has ever been lonely can identify with this song. Something tells me that McCartney had to have some female input on the writing of this song. Maybe Linda shared some of her experiences as a single Mom? No matter how this song was written, it is certainly one of his best.
5. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey –
In this incredible song, McCartney continues a technique that the Beatles used in “A Day In The Life” and “St. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band.” The song is multi-layered and it tells several silly stories in succession. The shear number of changes in the lyrics and music, all woven together skillfully, make it a marvel.
4. Band On The Run –
I love “Band On The Run” for the same reason as mentioned for the song above; it is written using the same unique story telling technique. However, “Band On The Run” is a much better rocker. It is simply contagious.
3. Silly Love Songs –
Silly Love Songs” may just be a tongue and cheek retort to John Lennon’s “How Do You Sleep At Night,” as well as to all those critics of Wings, but it is so much more. It is catchy, and so saccharine that you can’t help but love it. It is such a guilty pleasure that you almost wish you hated it.
2. Mull of Kintyre –
I just recently “discovered” this Wings masterpiece, and can’t get over the fact that it was written in the ’70s. It seems as though it has always been there, that it was specifically written for Scotland. The bagpipes are worth a listen alone.
1. Maybe I’m Amazed –
There is simply no definition for this song. In my opinion, it sums up everything that any man in love would like to say to his girlfriend, fiancé, or wife, but simply can’t. I don’t know how he captured all that emotion in just one song, but he did. While almost all of McCartney’s solo work is heavily influenced by his relationship with Linda (I would even argue that that is true even to this day), this song demonstrates it more than any other. I simply can’t imagine what his solo career would have been without his relationship with Linda.
If you can honestly say that Paul McCartney’s solo work isn’t true rock and roll after listening to the songs above, then I don’t know what more I can say.
