Here is our ultimate guide to Paul McCartney's greatest post-Beatles hits, including psychedelic gems, punk, folk, disco and a plethora of “silly love songs”
1 – “Maybe I’m Amazed”, McCartney1970
Paul McCartney composed this simple love song on his piano at his home at 7 Cavendish Avenue in central London – where, given the Beatles' uncertain future, he was reviewing ideas on his new Struder four-track recorder. While several of the key tracks from his first solo album (“Junk”, “Teddy Boy”) had been recorded months or even years earlier for potential use by the Beatles, this track was completely new. It reflected both the sense of perdition that haunted McCartney as his band, his life's work, disintegrated and the importance that the support of his wife Linda had for him.
“Maybe I'm Amazed” being undeniably a unique piece, the musician preferred to leave aside the homemade work to record his latest composition in the studio. After being introduced to Abbey Road under a false name, he had recorded the piece almost entirely alone. Although he played all the instruments and mixed the tracks himself, Linda nevertheless added some harmonies. “ We had a lot of fun,” he confided at the time. “ We decided to keep what we were doing a secret. It was perfect. »
“Maybe I'm Amazed” is the gem of a McCartney released several weeks before the film Let It Be. Despite widespread radio play, it was surprisingly never pressed on vinyl. A live version recorded during the tour Wings Over America nevertheless reached the Top 10 in 1997. Although McCartney reached the heights in the years and decades that followed, this first triumph remains his trademark. Although underrated, it is a perfect introduction to a remarkable second career.
2 – “Band on the Run”, Band on the Run1973
If anyone was still wondering if McCartney could make it solo, “Band on the Run” set the record straight once and for all. It's a daringly complex piece about an incredible escape in which McCartney hints at his wish to escape his past. (George Harrison had let slip the phrase “ If we ever get out of here » during a meeting.) But even when McCartney sings of conflict and confinement, he lets himself be carried away by contentment. The whole world then decided to run away with him and propelled the song to the top of the American charts. No one would mistake him for a lightweight in the future.
3 – “Too Many People”, RAM1971
When his second solo album was released, McCartney had every reason to be furious: his beloved band had disbanded and everyone blamed him. He then gave free rein to his frustration in a surprisingly biting piece, recorded at new York. “ That's your first mistake / Taking everything you had and breaking it,” he sang, pointing at John Lennon. “ He had become a lecturer and that annoyed me,” said McCartney in 1984. The incredibly sweet melody of “Too Many People” is nevertheless proof that the singer could use his charm as a weapon as he pleased. “ These are just a few spikes,” he declared in 2001. “ It's nothing too bad. »
4 – “Live and Let Die”, Single, 1973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7aGAIWe3uE
One of Wings' craziest songs appears on the soundtrack to the eighth James Bond adventure, Live and Let Die. Historical producer of the Beatles, George Martin was responsible for its composition. Craftsman of a dizzying composition, he combined it with reggae arrangements to relieve the pressure. Although some members of the press had criticized Macca's choice to rub shoulders with 007“Live and Let Die” became one of his biggest hits in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Even today, it is the highlight of gigantic concerts with a lot of stunning pyrotechnic effects.
5 – “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, Ram, 1971
McCartney's first number one is a tour de force. A collection of songs and sound effects lasting less than five minutes, its multiple transitions make it seem much longer. Inspired by McCartney's uncle, Albert Kendall, and orchestrated by George Martin and the New York Philharmonic, he was reminiscent of the Beatles. Even Lennon, who had hated Ram, had to admit that he liked the song.
6 – “Jet”, Band on the Run1973
In the 70s, all rockers had to measure themselves against David Bowie. But only McCartney could top him with a hit like this. Recorded in Nigeria, “Jet” opens with majestic brass before giving way to glam rock guitars, charming synths and a more than effective chorus. It turns out that “Jet” was the name of one of McCartney's dogs. From puns on space conquest to women's right to vote, the rest of the lyrics are more obscure. “ I don't really know what to say about it,” he confided. “ It was pretty fun, so I liked it. »
7 – “Junk”, McCartney1970
“Junk” should first have been on the White Album. A demo is also included on theAnthology 3. However, it has more of a place on McCartney's first solo album. A young man looks at a second-hand dealer's window and imagines himself old and forgotten by everyone. McCartney's ambition to do whatever he wants is palpable. “I quite like the idea of not reworking anything,” he told RS in 1974. “ We hear the door opening and some giggling in the background. »
8 – “Hi, Hi, Hi”, Single, 1972
McCartney cleverly tainted his clean image with this unabashed celebration of sex, drugs and guitars. The single was banned from broadcast by the BBC. Even Macca couldn't get away with inviting young women to ” lie down on the bed, ready for a big gun. » McCartney will protest, however, replying that the BBC has confused “ body gun ” And ” polygon “. It changes everything! According to him, the refrain “ We're gonna get hi, hi, hi » could also be considered at face value. No one believed it, but it remains one of Macca's most beloved songs.
9 – “Another Day”, Single, 1971
McCartney wrote so many good songs at the end of the Sixties that a hit of this quality could sit in his closet for years. Although he first played it while the Beatles were recording Let It Beit was never recorded before Macca began working on RAM. He then decided to make it his very first solo single. A classic among classics, drummer Denny Seiwell nicknamed her the “Eleanor Rigby of New York City,” with Linda's harmonies helping to bring her young protagonist to life.
10 – “Venus and Mars” / “Rock Show”, Venus and Mars, 1975
“ Wings' goal was to be on the road, » Confided McCartney to WECB in 1976. We're just a band, not a myth. » Nothing the singer did at the time, however, went unnoticed. The diptych with which the group began each concert of the tour Wings Over America was something! From this acoustic introduction to this roaring crescendo, “Venus and Mars” / “Rock Show” destroys everything in its path, including one of the biggest stars of the time, Jimmy Page.
