McCartney's Best "Meaningful Lyric" Songs
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B J Conlee:
Nancy R:
She's Leaving Home For No One Beautiful Night No More Lonely Nights So many!
______________________________________________________ Nancy, Beautiful Night is also one of my favorite Paul Solo songs of all time. It combines a beautiful melody with great lyrics in my opinion. It's basically a love song written for Linda but it does take on a definite sad tone in the middle. Here are some of the lyrics: Beautiful Night excerpts (from Flaming Pie) Some Boat's on the Ocean We're here in this room Seems to me the perfect way to spend an afternoon We can look for castles, pretty castles in the sky No more wondering, wondering why Things can go wrong, things can go right Things can go bump in the dead of the night So let me be there, let me be there Let me be there with you in the dead of the night ______________________________________________________ I know Paul had started writing this song in the middle 80's and then picked it up again for the Flaming Pie sessions. I did wonder if that last excerpt above was written (and inspired) because of the problems Linda was having during Flaming Pie with her Lung Cancer. Anyway, such a great song for both melody and lyrics. Another song I wished that Paul had done live in 2002 or 2005. I do understand that it might have been too tough emotionally for him to sing it later. Today, I'm not sure that Paul could handle the vocals now.
Linda had breast cancer, but you are probably right.
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For me,the entire song of beautiful nights is nearly ruined by the line "even if I get a medal from my local neighborhood" cringe. I'll take put it there, some days, and calico skies.
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B J Conlee:
Kestrel:
B J Conlee:
Somedays and Little Lamb Dragonfly are great songs...lyrics and music. By the way, where are these 2 songs on Pure McCartney?
I think maybe those songs would have been considered too introspective for a compilation album built around the concept of ... 'fun'.
____________________________________________________ Kestrel, Excellent point and I think you are right. Personally I would have preferred a Pure McCartney Compilation that contained more introspective songs than some of the tracks included.
I totally agree with you there. Although I'm not a huge fan of compilation albums (personally I don't see the point of buying the same music twice ), I must admit that I wouldn't mind an album of Paul's saddest,most melancholic and introspective material. Waterfalls, Scared, Distractions, Footprints, Somedays, Junk, Little Lamb Dragonfly, Single Pigeon,Dear Friend, From A Lover To A Friend etc etc etc....the list is endless.
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Nancy R:
JoeySmith:
I'm Looking Through You is lyrical genius. One of the best breakup songs. A scathing attack on Jane.
Breakup? The song came out in 1965 and they didn't break up until July 1968! He also wrote We Can Work It Out, You Won't See Me and What You're Doing about their often-stormy relationship.
A bit of foreshadowing on Paul's part! Dylan wrote some bitter songs about relationships, but this one is right up there.
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Nancy R:
B J Conlee:
Nancy R:
She's Leaving Home For No One Beautiful Night No More Lonely Nights So many!
______________________________________________________ Nancy, Beautiful Night is also one of my favorite Paul Solo songs of all time. It combines a beautiful melody with great lyrics in my opinion. It's basically a love song written for Linda but it does take on a definite sad tone in the middle. Here are some of the lyrics: Beautiful Night excerpts (from Flaming Pie) Some Boat's on the Ocean We're here in this room Seems to me the perfect way to spend an afternoon We can look for castles, pretty castles in the sky No more wondering, wondering why Things can go wrong, things can go right Things can go bump in the dead of the night So let me be there, let me be there Let me be there with you in the dead of the night ______________________________________________________ I know Paul had started writing this song in the middle 80's and then picked it up again for the Flaming Pie sessions. I did wonder if that last excerpt above was written (and inspired) because of the problems Linda was having during Flaming Pie with her Lung Cancer. Anyway, such a great song for both melody and lyrics. Another song I wished that Paul had done live in 2002 or 2005. I do understand that it might have been too tough emotionally for him to sing it later. Today, I'm not sure that Paul could handle the vocals now.
Linda had breast cancer, but you are probably right.
_________________________________________________ Nancy, You are right...don't know why I was thinking Lung Cancer. Maybe because now Lung Cancer is more potent as far as dying. You would know far more about that than me.
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prudence1964:
For me,the entire song of beautiful nights is nearly ruined by the line "even if I get a medal from my local neighborhood" cringe. I'll take put it there, some days, and calico skies.
__________________________________________________________ Prudence, I understand what you are saying. Sort of like the Dustbin lid line from "The Other Me". For me, I'm mostly a melody/music guy. If I love the music, I don't take one lyric line too seriously. I kind of laugh when Paul sings the "local neighborhood" line. I think he was doing a little "tongue and cheek" with that line and it fit well. I love the overall song from the beginning to the end with Ringo so I have it way up there. Like you, I would probably put "Put It There" and "Somedays" above it because of the line. There is another song from Flaming Pie that I would put above Beautiful Night but I'm not going to say it right now in case someone is going to use it as an example for this thread.
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JoeySmith:
Nancy R:
JoeySmith:
I'm Looking Through You is lyrical genius. One of the best breakup songs. A scathing attack on Jane.
Breakup? The song came out in 1965 and they didn't break up until July 1968! He also wrote We Can Work It Out, You Won't See Me and What You're Doing about their often-stormy relationship.
A bit of foreshadowing on Paul's part! Dylan wrote some bitter songs about relationships, but this one is right up there.
_______________________________________________________ Wasn't For No One about his relationship with Jane also. On the other side, didn't he write Here There and Everywhere as a love song to Jane. Whatever the reason, he did write some amazing songs (both positive and negative) about her. Jane definitely resonated with Paul.
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Maybe I missed it here on this thread but what about "My Love?" That song has to rank as one of the greatest love songs ever written!
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On some of his excellent strongly melody-driven efforts I wish he had worked more on the lyrics. But he's said he's satisfied with all his work, so his personal artistic satisfaction is what matters the most to him, which is understandable. He should strive to please himself first before thinking of the listeners.
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On "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" Paul reveals more of his inner self than in his other albums, is more expressive from an introspective perspective, delves deep into his psyche. For example, he reveals how he was hurt in his relationship. Really opens up. I find all those lyrics really meaningful. Am always looking for meaning in his more serious musical outings, trying to discover more about him. He's an interesting cat.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
On some of his excellent strongly melody-driven efforts I wish he had worked more on the lyrics. But he's said he's satisfied with all his work, so his personal artistic satisfaction is what matters the most to him, which is understandable. He should strive to please himself first before thinking of the listeners.
____________________________________________________ Susy, Good reply. I do think he has plenty of songs with very good lyrics where they are as good as the melodies with them. Not all but certainly a good number. That was my thought with this thread. You mention Chaos as an album you like for the introspective. If you have the time, give me an example of one or two of the songs on Chaos that you like the best from a lyric perspective.
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I was waiting for someone to beat me to the punch on another Flaming Pie song. Since I have a little time tonight let me throw out this song. One of my favorite songs on Flaming Pie is "Little Willow". As most know, Paul said it was written for Ringo's first wife, Maureen, and his children who lost her. I think Paul may have also had Linda and their own children in mind as he was composing it Little Willow is a relatable song for anyone who has lost a love one and the hope you have for them. My daughter still misses her grandparents. Little Willow (from Flaming Pie) Bend Little Willow Wind's Gonna Blow You Hard and Cold Tonight Life as it Happens Nobody Warns You Willow hold on Tight Nothing's Gonna Shake Your Love Take Your Love Away No One's Out to Break Your Heart It Only Seems That Way...hey Sleep Little Willow Peace Gonna Follow Time Will Heal Your Wounds Grow to the Heavens Now and Forever Aways Came too Soon
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jl4761:
Maybe I missed it here on this thread but what about "My Love?" That song has to rank as one of the greatest love songs ever written!
_______________________________________________________ I always liked My Love also. AM radio/Top 40 was still big when "My Love" hit the charts. It went right to # 1 and the problem with that is that it got way overplayed. Paul had similar problems with future # 1's like Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory. Initial success and then criticism. It went with the territory as they say. Critics love to go after most artists who have big time success and Paul was no exception. There were some critics who were anti-Paul for breaking up the Beatles, so they were always ready to be pounce. When I heard My Love years later live on Paul's 2002 tour it was different. With primary his fans, the response on My Love was great. I still remember how he hit the notes at the end of the song. It garnered a hug standing ovation from what I remember. At that time, his vocals were still very good. Although some critics would use the "cringe" term on parts of My Love, I like the lyrics. One of my favorite lines is: "And when the cupboard's bare I still find something there with my love" _________________________________________________ I find again the humor in that first line above. Paul being a little "tongue and cheek" here. Some people who don't like Paul would love to jump on the "Cupboard's bare" line saying Paul couldn't write lyrics while I think it is one of the best lines in the song. Think of how many artists would love to have as "bad" a song as "My Love".
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B J Conlee:
jl4761:
Maybe I missed it here on this thread but what about "My Love?" That song has to rank as one of the greatest love songs ever written!
_______________________________________________________ I always liked My Love also. AM radio/Top 40 was still big when "My Love" hit the charts. It went right to # 1 and the problem with that is that it got way overplayed. Paul had similar problems with future # 1's like Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory. Initial success and then criticism. It went with the territory as they say. Critics love to go after most artists who have big time success and Paul was no exception. There were some critics who were anti-Paul for breaking up the Beatles, so they were always ready to be pounce. When I heard My Love years later live on Paul's 2002 tour it was different. With primary his fans, the response on My Love was great. I still remember how he hit the notes at the end of the song. It garnered a hug standing ovation from what I remember. At that time, his vocals were still very good. Although some critics would use the "cringe" term on parts of My Love, I like the lyrics. One of my favorite lines is: "And when the cupboard's bare I still find something there with my love" _________________________________________________ I find again the humor in that first line above. Paul being a little "tongue and cheek" here. Some people who don't like Paul would love to jump on the "Cupboard's bare" line saying Paul couldn't write lyrics while I think it is one of the best lines in the song. Think of how many artists would love to have as "bad" a song as "My Love".
What really makes that song so great is that Paul sang that song from his heart to his lovely Linda! Its a very emotional powerful song despite being a little tongue and cheek. That song had Paul's personality all over it. "My Love" is in my top 10 all-time favorite love songs ever!
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Has anyone mentioned maybe I'm amazed yet?
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B J Conlee:
JoeySmith:
Nancy R:
JoeySmith:
I'm Looking Through You is lyrical genius. One of the best breakup songs. A scathing attack on Jane.
Breakup? The song came out in 1965 and they didn't break up until July 1968! He also wrote We Can Work It Out, You Won't See Me and What You're Doing about their often-stormy relationship.
A bit of foreshadowing on Paul's part! Dylan wrote some bitter songs about relationships, but this one is right up there.
_______________________________________________________ Wasn't For No One about his relationship with Jane also. On the other side, didn't he write Here There and Everywhere as a love song to Jane. Whatever the reason, he did write some amazing songs (both positive and negative) about her. Jane definitely resonated with Paul.
Perhaps For No One was with Jane in mind. And HTAE was for her. The telling line there is "And if she's beside me I know I need never care." Problem was, she wasn't beside him enough. She was off acting somewhere and he wanted her at home. She once told Maureen that Paul would rather have her at home and having babies. Of course Jane was so young (only 19 in 1965) and wasn't ready for that yet. He really wrote many more negative songs about her than positive. What other "love" song did he write for her? (He said he did not write And I Love Her specifically for her)
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B J Conlee:
Nancy R:
B J Conlee:
Nancy R:
She's Leaving Home For No One Beautiful Night No More Lonely Nights So many!
______________________________________________________ Nancy, Beautiful Night is also one of my favorite Paul Solo songs of all time. It combines a beautiful melody with great lyrics in my opinion. It's basically a love song written for Linda but it does take on a definite sad tone in the middle. Here are some of the lyrics: Beautiful Night excerpts (from Flaming Pie) Some Boat's on the Ocean We're here in this room Seems to me the perfect way to spend an afternoon We can look for castles, pretty castles in the sky No more wondering, wondering why Things can go wrong, things can go right Things can go bump in the dead of the night So let me be there, let me be there Let me be there with you in the dead of the night ______________________________________________________ I know Paul had started writing this song in the middle 80's and then picked it up again for the Flaming Pie sessions. I did wonder if that last excerpt above was written (and inspired) because of the problems Linda was having during Flaming Pie with her Lung Cancer. Anyway, such a great song for both melody and lyrics. Another song I wished that Paul had done live in 2002 or 2005. I do understand that it might have been too tough emotionally for him to sing it later. Today, I'm not sure that Paul could handle the vocals now.
Linda had breast cancer, but you are probably right.
_________________________________________________ Nancy, You are right...don't know why I was thinking Lung Cancer. Maybe because now Lung Cancer is more potent as far as dying. You would know far more about that than me.
Probably if the cancer is caught early, the survival rate is close for both. But you can live without breasts, not lungs!
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B J Conlee:
jl4761:
Maybe I missed it here on this thread but what about "My Love?" That song has to rank as one of the greatest love songs ever written!
_______________________________________________________ I always liked My Love also. AM radio/Top 40 was still big when "My Love" hit the charts. It went right to # 1 and the problem with that is that it got way overplayed. Paul had similar problems with future # 1's like Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory. Initial success and then criticism. It went with the territory as they say. Critics love to go after most artists who have big time success and Paul was no exception. There were some critics who were anti-Paul for breaking up the Beatles, so they were always ready to be pounce. When I heard My Love years later live on Paul's 2002 tour it was different. With primary his fans, the response on My Love was great. I still remember how he hit the notes at the end of the song. It garnered a hug standing ovation from what I remember. At that time, his vocals were still very good. Although some critics would use the "cringe" term on parts of My Love, I like the lyrics. One of my favorite lines is: "And when the cupboard's bare I still find something there with my love" _________________________________________________ I find again the humor in that first line above. Paul being a little "tongue and cheek" here. Some people who don't like Paul would love to jump on the "Cupboard's bare" line saying Paul couldn't write lyrics while I think it is one of the best lines in the song. Think of how many artists would love to have as "bad" a song as "My Love".
The reason he wrote that line was because when he first invited Linda to visit him in London in mid-Sept. 1968, all she found was some moldy cheese and sour milk in the fridge. Paul was busy recording at Abbey Road and she had to call someone (maybe Alister Taylor?) to get groceries and dog food!
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jl4761:
B J Conlee:
jl4761:
Maybe I missed it here on this thread but what about "My Love?" That song has to rank as one of the greatest love songs ever written!
_______________________________________________________ I always liked My Love also. AM radio/Top 40 was still big when "My Love" hit the charts. It went right to # 1 and the problem with that is that it got way overplayed. Paul had similar problems with future # 1's like Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory. Initial success and then criticism. It went with the territory as they say. Critics love to go after most artists who have big time success and Paul was no exception. There were some critics who were anti-Paul for breaking up the Beatles, so they were always ready to be pounce. When I heard My Love years later live on Paul's 2002 tour it was different. With primary his fans, the response on My Love was great. I still remember how he hit the notes at the end of the song. It garnered a hug standing ovation from what I remember. At that time, his vocals were still very good. Although some critics would use the "cringe" term on parts of My Love, I like the lyrics. One of my favorite lines is: "And when the cupboard's bare I still find something there with my love" _________________________________________________ I find again the humor in that first line above. Paul being a little "tongue and cheek" here. Some people who don't like Paul would love to jump on the "Cupboard's bare" line saying Paul couldn't write lyrics while I think it is one of the best lines in the song. Think of how many artists would love to have as "bad" a song as "My Love".
What really makes that song so great is that Paul sang that song from his heart to his lovely Linda! Its a very emotional powerful song despite being a little tongue and cheek. That song had Paul's personality all over it. "My Love" is in my top 10 all-time favorite love songs ever!
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prudence1964:
Has anyone mentioned maybe I'm amazed yet?
______________________________________________________ No but now that we have just talked about My Love, why not now. Paul has always given the world many great love songs with the Beatles and Post Beatles. Two Post Beatles come to me as I'm writing this. First one is Maybe I'm Amazed that really doesn't need any introduction. Probable his #1 signature song after the Beatles. I actually like the original studio version the best but many like the "live" version (and single) from Wings Over America. The studio version is my preference because it is shorter and I love the way it fades out in the end with those guitars. Lyrically, it is pretty much a straight love song. Maybe I'm Amazed (from McCartney) 1st verse Baby I'm Amazed at the way you love me all the time And Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you Maybe I'm Amazed at the way you pulled me out of time and hung me on a line And Maybe I'm at the Way I really need you ____________________________________________________ The 2nd Love song is much more obscure but I really love it. Track is called "Only Love Remains" from Press to Play. While Maybe I'm Amazed and My Love were both big hits and played live by Paul many times, Only Love Remains is hardly known. That being said it has a great piano based melody and I love the lyrics. Again, a straight love song like the the other two. Only Love Remains (from Press to Play) - last 2 verses Old Enough and strong Enough to stretch across the world Taking the sand inside an Oyster, changing it into a Pearl Making another magic Transformation Finding the right boy for the right girl When all our friends have gone and we're alone There's nothing left to shout about Together we'll explore the great unknown I'd say we won't be going out tonight Let Tonight be the one that we remember When Love is all that stays Only Love Remains...Only Love Remains ___________________________________________________ 2 examples of Macca's beautiful love songs with very good lyrics