Paul McCartney has officially become an oldies act.
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Kestrel,at least "Waterfalls" was a hit as well,it seems to be the forgotten one off McCartney 2.You can't please everyone,but there are so many top ten hits that have never seen the light of day.I'd love to hear No More Lonely Nights,Wanderlust or even Tug Of War live,not much chance though.I suppose Paul would have to play for 10 hours to please everybody.
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Maybe songs like "Distractions" (so beautiful!) & "Waterfalls" are regarded by Paul as too quiet & sensitive to go down well before a rambunctious audience of many thousands of people? Some numbers he might consider more "huge concert" material than others."Let it Be" is very thoughtful & sensitive, yet an epic anthem as well as sort of a ballad. "Yesterday" is so overwhelmingly famous a tune it can awe a gigantic crowd. If I were he I'd love to belt out "Old Siam, Sir" at one of his mega concerts. It really rocks. I'd love to stun the masses with a staggeringly beautiful number too that's less well known which boasts such a strong melody it seems to lull & pacify the hordes into a blissed out state-- just as his super rockers move & excite them in another way.If I were he I'd fear some of his concert staples are a bit stale and give them a rest for some songs that were refreshingly novel, having been never before done live, or seldom performed live. Geminis love variety & diversity, which you surprisingly don't see reflected so much in his set list choices. He might desire to please so much that he eres on the side of being too safe.
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Sorry guys, but except for a handful of naysayers here, the world doesn't give a damn about McCartney's set list. They want to hear Beatles songs, and some Wings songs thrown in here and there. A McCartney concert can attract upwards of 250,000. They do NOT want to hear "Distractions", "Footprints", etc. those songs would go over like a lead balloon. McCartney isn't stupid. No one on this forum has ever performed in front of a mass audience like Paul has. In fact, I can't think of any artist out there who can consistently pull them in the way Paul does. He's obviously doing something right, and lets face it, he ain't going to be around forever. We're so fortunate that he's still doing what he's doing. I would think that in a few years he won't be doing these types of shows anymore. As much as I would love to hear him sing "Distractions" and "Waterfalls" and "Footprints" it's not going to happen unless he does an acoustic show in an inimate setting (ala "Unplugged"). Otherwise, forget it. In the words of the Ray Davies and the Kinks...."Give The People What They want!"
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DavidP, I totally disagree, you're missing the point! McCartney isn't giving the people what they want, he's giving them what they expect! The reason they expect it is because that's what he keeps dragging out year after year, tour after tour, that's why people are starting to mumble about his setlist! Once again, no one is asking McCartney to step on stage and perform deep obscure album tracks! More and more people want to hear more of this mans fantastic music and they want to hear the good stuff, and there's plenty of it! People do care about McCartney's setlist that's why journalist, reviewers, reporters, and fans are asking the question why does he keep performing the same basic songs and leave out many of his good songs, especially the smash #1 hits? How on earth can you possibly say that those songs would go over like a lead balloon, when they are better than some of the obscure songs he does perform? You're telling me that the crowds would rather hear In Spite Of All The Danger, or You Won't See Me instead of Listen To What The Man Said, Silly Love Songs, and Juniors Farm, two of which were #1 smash hits, and the other was a #3 hit? No one is going to convince me of that! Paul McCartney is playing it safe, instead of performing an exciting, diverse show filled with a wide variety of his fantastic music! If McCartney would hit the stage and perform the best of Wings material, the crowds would be thrilled! Remember no one is saying he shouldn't perform any Beatles, but he should perform much less so he can present a show that is more representative of his awesome career! No one would be dissapointed with a show like that, in fact at this stage in his career, and with all the awesome material he has to choose from, it would probably be one of his best tours ever! I think people do care about that!
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left hand man:
... that's why people are starting to mumble about his setlist! Paul McCartney is playing it safe, instead of performing an exciting, diverse show filled with a wide variety of his fantastic music!
Rubbish, the only mumblers are on this forum! And that has been going on every tour since this board has existed. No matter how he varies the set, there are whiners here. But he plays for the general public, all over the world, not board members. Reviews generally write about how fantastic he was. He also reaches pretty deep into his catalog, and performs his new songs as well. He's hardly playing it safe, especially when he could play a Beatles only show and get even more cheers, or not even play at all. So just enjoy the show, and the fact he still likes playing concerts when he could just say home. Or better yet, why don't the whiners stay home, and keep bitching about the setlist. But I doubt he will stop playing Hey Jude or Band On The Run anytime soon.
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I agree with beatlesfanrandy and DavidP. Most of the people in the audience want to hear his hits and the beatles songs and most of them are not fans as we are here. I understand what some of you wrote about refreshing his songs list. But it is your own point of view. I think that most of the audience like his present songs list. I never read complaints about it except here. I suggest an idea: everyone will write here his preferred or favored songs, and maybe Paul will see it and at least will be influenced a little.
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left hand man:
You're telling me that the crowds would rather hear In Spite Of All The Danger, or You Won't See Me instead of Listen To What The Man Said, Silly Love Songs, and Juniors Farm, two of which were #1 smash hits, and the other was a #3 hit? No one is going to convince me of that! Paul McCartney is playing it safe, instead of performing an exciting, diverse show filled with a wide variety of his fantastic music! If McCartney would hit the stage and perform the best of Wings material, the crowds would be thrilled! I think people do care about that!
I'm completely with you, left hand man. Paul has played for the casual fans for decades now and I think it'd be great if he slightly changed his setlist to be geared towards the more involved fans, like those of us here. As you mentioned, I really don't see how switching "You Won't See Me" for "Junior's Farm" (examples) could possibly be a failure. I have no doubt people would go absolutely crazy, and I think Paul would have a blast as well. I think Paul underestimates us. Perhaps it's the media that gives him the impression that the public only loves Beatle Paul, but in reality, I think we appreciate a wider spectrum of his catalog than he realizes. It's sad, really. I will be happy either way, I just wish he'd give it a try. I think he'd be pleasantly surprised at the response.
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left hand man:
People do care about McCartney's setlist that's why journalist, reviewers, reporters, and fans are asking the question why does he keep performing the same basic songs and leave out many of his good songs, especially the smash #1 hits?
No they're not. I have yet to read one single review of a McCartney concert where a journalist complained about the setlist. And in any event, those being critical are in the minority. hmmm...let's see, he's put on 3 concerts this year, and has attracted 3/4 of a million people, and at the same time garnering incredible reviews. Sure, I'd like to hear him play some of my personal favorites such as The World Tonight, Beautiful Night, This Never Happened Before. But I haven't been at any of those 3 concerts anyway, so what does it matter? And he HAS added some brilliant surprises....such as Hippy Hippy Shake, A Day In The Life, Mrs. Vandebilt. It's all good. When you've had as many hit songs as McCartney it is IMPOSSIBLE to play them all. He's played Silly Love Songs, he's played Listen To What The Man Said in concert. Not sure about Juniors Farm, but I'm sure he'd played it somewhere along the line in the 1970's. If he hasn't though, he should (before it's too late).
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I have seen a few negative reviews of the Liverpool show,it was more the setlist than Paul's performance.Most have said he's been peddling the same old songs for the last 6 years.I do think it needs freshening up a bit,he must be a little fed up himself playing what he thinks people want to hear.
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I've read plenty of reviews that say McCartney needs to change his setlist. Sure they heap praises on his shows, but at the same time they do ask why doesn't he change it up more and why isn't he playing more of his hits. Since some of you say you've never seen any here's some examples from different people. cremetangerine I really hope word gets to Paul how much we want him to switch it up! I will be seeing Paul for the first time on his next tour and I must admit I would rather see Junior's Farm or Venus and Mars/Rockshow over many of the Beatles songs he plays now. It doesn't mean I like the Wings songs better, it's just a matter of what rocks better live. So many Wings songs just scream "Play me live!!!" If I could have it my way Venus and Mars/Rockshow Hi Hi Hi Junior's Farm The Mess Call Me Back Again Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five Beware My Love Daytime Nightime Suffering The suggested Paul McCartney setlist By Tim Cain I haven?t seen Paul McCartney in concert, however much I?d like to. When he was playing stadiums, I stayed away because the venues were too large. In the early 1990s, when he was playing arenas, I stayed away because I didn?t want to see an oldies show, and if he was going to focus on his current material, I wasn?t very interested anyway. I was disappointed in McCartney?s set at the Super Bowl this year. He trotted out some Beatles tunes, and the most recently released song he played was 1973?s ?Live and Let Die.? (That beat his Live 8 set, which featured five Beatles songs, six if you count the one he did with U2.) As expected, that Super Bowl show primed the pump for another McCartney tour. Tickets at United Center in Chicago ranged from $50 to hang on the rafters to $250 to see the whites of his eyes. (The two shows are sold out, but ticket brokers naturally are willing to take plenty of your hard-earned cash.) Look, I present this knowing full well that Sir Paul McCartney couldn?t care less about my presence at one of his shows. And he?s one of the greatest showmen/businessmen in pop music history, so if he wants to trot out a 30-song setlist and have 75 percent of it be Beatles songs, he knows what his audience wants best. And if you want to drop that kind of cash to hear him run through those songs yet again, that?s your business, and you?ll get what you want, and everybody will go home happy. And keep in mind you?re not going to find many people who love The Beatles more than I do. When The Who did the first of their couple hundred farewell tours, they played five songs off ?Quadrophenia,? an album near and dear to my heart from its release. The guy sitting next to me kept asking me where these songs came from. By the fourth time I said ?Quadrophenia,? he said, ?I gotta go buy that tomorrow.? It would be nice for McCartney to provide similar prodding to his fans. McCartney practically denied the existence of The Beatles in the early days of Wings. One of the causes for excitement during the 1976 release of ?Wings Over America? was the appearance of four Beatles songs. But now he?s gone the other way and seems to be ignoring the last 35 years. It has its share of mediocre work, sure, but there?s some fantastic material that seems to be sliding away. And in many ways, that?s no one?s fault but McCartney?s. So here?s a proposed set list, even programmed with specific purposes in mind. This show would run a little over two hours, so if McCartney wanted to throw in a couple more Beatles songs, or some surprises (like playing ?Something? on ukulele in tribute to George Harrison), there?s room. Band on the Run Big Barn Bed A Love For You I Saw Her Standing There Hi Hi Hi Junior?s Farm As unhip as it is to say, ?Band on the Run? is a fantastic album, easily McCartney?s best solo work. Starting out with those complex rhythm changes would serve as a statement of purpose This isn?t your everyday McCartney show. The next two are a little obscure. ?Big Barn Bed? is the first song on ?Red Rose Speedway? (the album with ?My Love?). Wings opened their shows with it for a little while. It?s always been a favorite. ?A Love For You? was not officially released until the soundtrack of the remake of ?The In-Laws? (of all places). Both have that unmistakable early 1970s McCartney feel. Classics. The last three bring in those who might feel a little lost at sea because of the previous two songs. Hit singles, recognizable tunes, but two are still solo (or Wings) pieces. Twenty Flight Rock Little Woman Love Momma?s Little Girl Brown-Eyed Handsome Man Name and Address I?m Carrying Yesterday Call this the ?unplugged? portion of the show, although it?s probably more ?stripped down? than unplugged. ?Twenty Flight Rock? is one of Eddie Cochran?s great songs, and a favorite of McCartney?s. ?Little Woman Love? was the B-side to Wings? 1972 ?Mary Had a Little Lamb? single, and the shuffling rocker should have been a hit in its own right. ?Momma?s Little Girl? was recorded in the early 1970s and eventually came out 15 years later. It would send people scurrying for the expanded ?Wild Life? CD, or the 2-CD limited edition ?Flowers in the Dirt.? Then a chance to show off influences. McCartney recorded a nice Cajun version of ?Brown-Eyed Handsome Man? for ?Run Devil Run,? and ?Name and Address? (from 1978?s ?London Town?) is one of his best Elvis tributes ever. ?I?m Carrying? is a sweet acoustic guitar-based song that would lead nicely into one of the greatest songs ever written. (Hey, I?ll give him this one and ?Hey Jude.? If you?re going to drop money to see the guy who wrote two of the greatest songs in the history of the English language, he?d better sing ?em.) Venus and Mars/Rock Show Spin It On Jet Live and Let Die Letting Go I hope you caught your breath during that last set, Paul, because this section will wring it out of you. These are, quite simply, some of the best concert songs he?s written. (The only reason I didn?t have ?Venus and Mars/Rock Show? lead off is to avoid a little bit of a cliché.) ?Spin It On,? from 1979?s ?Back to the Egg,? is the obscurity, but find it, play it, and follow it immediately with ?Jet,? and then write and tell me how cool it is.) Maybe I?m Amazed Yvonne?s the One Dear Boy So Bad Arrow Through Me My Brave Face Off the Ground Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five A nod toward some of the later-period ?hits? (?My Brave Face? and ?So Bad? were top five on the AOR charts, ?Off the Ground? hit the top 30). ?Arrow Through Me? should have been a single. ?Dear Boy? is an album cut from ?Ram,? an attack on Beatles partner John Lennon that still offers some entertaining backing vocals. And I?ve always said ?Yvonne?s the One? is one of the best songs McCartney gave away (to 10cc). ?Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five? provides some nice pre-encore theatricality, especially if the band is able to produce the cacophony of sound at the end. And if the ?Band on the Run? out-chorus is pre-recorded, the group can take its bows and run off while the music is playing. ?Band on the run? - get it? Get it? Beautiful Night Let It Be Hey Jude I might be alone in this, but I think ?Beautiful Night? (from 1997?s ?Flaming Pie?) is one of the greatest songs McCartney?s ever written. Its memorable chorus provides a setup for the last two songs, which feature even more memorable choruses. This is the type setlist McCartney could easily do, and the crowds would absolutely love it! Vadim Rizov is lifestyle editor for Washington Square News. Paul McCartney played a thunderously dull set including some of the most famous songs in the world, nimbly avoiding the danger of any emotional effect. The only thing surprising about McCartney's set, perhaps, was that he didn't play "Maybe I'm Amazed." Other than that, he remains the man with the world's most predictable setlist a few Beatles songs just to remind everyone why he became legitimately famous in the first place, a solo number to reinforce his self-worth and the 357,000th rendition of "Hey Jude," which - if you did the math - he's probably played once for every day of his life. With a grimly efficient backing band behind him and a stadium packed full of the easily manipulated, things went off without a hitch. No one missed their cues, all the pre-coordinated fans waved their glowsticks in the air at the right moment and no one got injured by the fireworks. The set was by-and-large a note-for-note reproduction of classic recorded tunes. Make no mistake "Hey Jude," on a bad day, is one of the most comforting songs around. But somewhere along the way, a song intended to cheer up a kid worried about his parents' divorce became the song to end all inspirational songs. A song that speaks to everyone tends to end up being a song that speaks to no one. Does it even matter? Is "Hey Jude" just a good song that we all know the words to, or does it mean anything more? It's weird to look for meaning in a Super Bowl halftime show, at which the best-case scenario is that disaster is avoided and no one is unduly offended. But watching Paul McCartney perform songs with professional detachment - songs it's hard to imagine him caring about any longer - is to watch someone formerly exciting going through the motions, frozen in a pose they struck 35 years ago. When McCartney storms through the fossilized canon, does he feel anything? What about the stadium of glowstick-waving fans and fireworks? Did they respond to the songs themselves? Or did they respond to the spectacle, the environment, the chance to see one of the world's two living Beatles stop being a waxwork for a fleeting moment? To be simultaneously united by a song everyone knows but is pretty much immune to is to be alone, together, united by familiarity but excited by nothing - which is kind of interesting, but ultimately boring. This is from a reviewer named George Starostin You could always argue that theoretically, a Paul McCartney show can't be all that great. Come on, even the Beatles themselves weren't the best live band in the world, and this is one fourth part of the Beatles. Come on, he just plays the songs the way they are. Come on, his backing bands are always interchangeable. Come on, the setlist is so painfully predictable it's almost laughable (although he did do 'She's Leaving Home', which even I couldn't have expected!). This is all true. mikeskapla Do people really think they will chase Paul off stage if he replaced obscure barely known Beatle songs like "I'll Get You" for bonafide blockbuster #1 hits like With a Little Luck, Listen to what the Man Said, etc. Did I miss something and Paul's solo career was a complete bomb as opposed to him being one of the biggest hitmakers on the planet? I'll take another crack at this point, everytime I do I get hit so I'll say this in advance It's kind of weird I think all those that get offended when people make suggestions or disagree some with Paul's approach to concerts. If people think Paul is doing his tours perfectly, good for them, their opinion is just as valid but not more so than people who would like changes. And no I don't think its some sort of disloyalty to Paul if you disagree with his set list or that you are a truer fan if you eat up everything he does without question. I seriously doubt if I ran into Paul on the street, and I told him I'd love to hear more Wings stuff in concert -- he's think those damn Wing fan idiots, they aren't my true fans, its those that want to hear Let It Be and Hey Jude -- they are what I call my true blue fans. Having said all that. I'll run with Paul's articulated thoughts on what he wants to do in a show. He wants to give people the hits. He likes to say when people come to his shows they expect to hear the big songs. He also wants to give a broad perspective of his career and give a few oddies to those hardcore fans like us. Now I really doubt when people come to a Paul McCartney show they are expecting I"ll Get You, In Spite of All the Danger, Till There Was You, C-Moon, Let Me Roll It. In terms of hits With A Little Luck #1 hit never been done in a major tour Ditto Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey#1 hit, never done Listen to What the Man Said -- #1 hit not done since 76 Silly Love Songs -- #1 hit not done since 76 Top 10 hits never done in a major tour Helen Wheels, No More Lonley Nights, Juniors Farm, Take It Away, Goodnight Tonight I really can't see people coming to his shows and saying look its a Paul McCartney show I want to hear In Spite of All the Danger and I know that song not that obscure Listen To What the Man Says song. Or they say thankfully, he does Let Me Roll It on practically every tour becuase fans will be missing out -- who wants to hear any other track off of Band on the Run like 1985 or a hit like Helen Wheels, yuk! It's Let Me Roll It or nothing. And yeah C-Moon is the quientesential track from his Wings period, everyone knows that one, not Silly Love Songs, or Listen to what the Man Says. It's that sort of stuff that's puzziling to me. And yeah I know to some its sacriledge to question Paul's set list. For some weird reason we get hit basically for the idea that since we appreciate more of his catalogue then he puts out in concert, it means that we aren't as big a fan. Becauase his big fans should just suck it up and appreciate everything he throws at us. Look I can just as easy if not easier make the case that we are the bigger fans because we appreciate Paul's whole solo career, not just Paul the Beatle. And yeah I appreciate seeing him in concert. I love Paul's shows and I just think they can be even more special where he can cater to his hard core fans without losing his more causal ones. I am not talking about him doing Letting Go instead of Let It Be. But why not With A Little Luck (and BIG Wings hits) over obscure Beatle songs like I'll Get You? Look i am not even asking him to do what MOST major concert acts do like the Stones, Springsteen, and U2 and change things up in the middle of the tour and keep things spicy. Just do some big Wings hits, mix it up. Band on the Run is a classic album. And there are other tracks on that album for example that stand out, it wasn't just Let Me Roll It. Ditto for example with Flaming Pie, great album Looks like Calico Skies is going to be coming for a round 2 and maybe the title track Flaming Pie as well. OK, decent songs. But those weren't the singles -- the singles were World Tonight, Young Boy, Beautiful Night. If you do Flaming Pie one tour, why not Somedays or Young Boy, etc the next one. If you are going to give the obscure fans a nugget like Let Me Roll It or C-Moon or a track from Flaming Pie. Why repeat the same nugget in the next tour or so, why not give a new one? It seems like he does just that with his Beatle songs but not with his Wings/solo stuff. That to me is the odd thing about Paul's tours compared to what most artists do. And yeah look i am going to go anyway, great shows, I just think they can be made more special if Paul embraced variety. Part of (in my opinion) what makes Paul's albums so special is he's eclectic and brings variety -- so it suprises me that on tour he's one of the more predictable artists. Great shows but predictable. And there is a context to my point, I have seen a ton of concerts so am making apples to apples comparisons to other big artists. And the larger point is it would be very easy for him to break the many years of predictability. I know I've shared a lot here but I wanted to give you guys several different opinions about McCartney's setlist and show you that people are talking!
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The thing i disagree about with some of the critics on is Paul's band,they have been together longer than any of his past groups,so are not interchangeable.As for going through the motions,for a guy in his mid-sixties i think he's doing okay.It is just the setlist that needs re-vamping nothing else.
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Boycie, I totally agree with you about McCartney's band, they are great!
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left hand man:
I've read plenty of reviews that say McCartney needs to change his setlist. Sure they heap praises on his shows, but at the same time they do ask why doesn't he change it up more and why isn't he playing more of his hits. Since some of you say you've never seen any here's some examples from different people. cremetangerine I really hope word gets to Paul how much we want him to switch it up! I will be seeing Paul for the first time on his next tour and I must admit I would rather see Junior's Farm or Venus and Mars/Rockshow over many of the Beatles songs he plays now. It doesn't mean I like the Wings songs better, it's just a matter of what rocks better live. So many Wings songs just scream "Play me live!!!" If I could have it my way: Venus and Mars/Rockshow Hi Hi Hi Junior's Farm The Mess Call Me Back Again Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five Beware My Love Daytime Nightime Suffering The suggested Paul McCartney setlist By Tim Cain I haven?t seen Paul McCartney in concert, however much I?d like to. When he was playing stadiums, I stayed away because the venues were too large. In the early 1990s, when he was playing arenas, I stayed away because I didn?t want to see an oldies show, and if he was going to focus on his current material, I wasn?t very interested anyway. I was disappointed in McCartney?s set at the Super Bowl this year. He trotted out some Beatles tunes, and the most recently released song he played was 1973?s ?Live and Let Die.? (That beat his Live 8 set, which featured five Beatles songs, six if you count the one he did with U2.) As expected, that Super Bowl show primed the pump for another McCartney tour. Tickets at United Center in Chicago ranged from $50 to hang on the rafters to $250 to see the whites of his eyes. (The two shows are sold out, but ticket brokers naturally are willing to take plenty of your hard-earned cash.) Look, I present this knowing full well that Sir Paul McCartney couldn?t care less about my presence at one of his shows. And he?s one of the greatest showmen/businessmen in pop music history, so if he wants to trot out a 30-song setlist and have 75 percent of it be Beatles songs, he knows what his audience wants best. And if you want to drop that kind of cash to hear him run through those songs yet again, that?s your business, and you?ll get what you want, and everybody will go home happy. And keep in mind you?re not going to find many people who love The Beatles more than I do. When The Who did the first of their couple hundred farewell tours, they played five songs off ?Quadrophenia,? an album near and dear to my heart from its release. The guy sitting next to me kept asking me where these songs came from. By the fourth time I said ?Quadrophenia,? he said, ?I gotta go buy that tomorrow.? It would be nice for McCartney to provide similar prodding to his fans. McCartney practically denied the existence of The Beatles in the early days of Wings. One of the causes for excitement during the 1976 release of ?Wings Over America? was the appearance of four Beatles songs. But now he?s gone the other way and seems to be ignoring the last 35 years. It has its share of mediocre work, sure, but there?s some fantastic material that seems to be sliding away. And in many ways, that?s no one?s fault but McCartney?s. So here?s a proposed set list, even programmed with specific purposes in mind. This show would run a little over two hours, so if McCartney wanted to throw in a couple more Beatles songs, or some surprises (like playing ?Something? on ukulele in tribute to George Harrison), there?s room. Band on the Run Big Barn Bed A Love For You I Saw Her Standing There Hi Hi Hi Junior?s Farm As unhip as it is to say, ?Band on the Run? is a fantastic album, easily McCartney?s best solo work. Starting out with those complex rhythm changes would serve as a statement of purpose: This isn?t your everyday McCartney show. The next two are a little obscure. ?Big Barn Bed? is the first song on ?Red Rose Speedway? (the album with ?My Love?). Wings opened their shows with it for a little while. It?s always been a favorite. ?A Love For You? was not officially released until the soundtrack of the remake of ?The In-Laws? (of all places). Both have that unmistakable early 1970s McCartney feel. Classics. The last three bring in those who might feel a little lost at sea because of the previous two songs. Hit singles, recognizable tunes, but two are still solo (or Wings) pieces. Twenty Flight Rock Little Woman Love Momma?s Little Girl Brown-Eyed Handsome Man Name and Address I?m Carrying Yesterday Call this the ?unplugged? portion of the show, although it?s probably more ?stripped down? than unplugged. ?Twenty Flight Rock? is one of Eddie Cochran?s great songs, and a favorite of McCartney?s. ?Little Woman Love? was the B-side to Wings? 1972 ?Mary Had a Little Lamb? single, and the shuffling rocker should have been a hit in its own right. ?Momma?s Little Girl? was recorded in the early 1970s and eventually came out 15 years later. It would send people scurrying for the expanded ?Wild Life? CD, or the 2-CD limited edition ?Flowers in the Dirt.? Then a chance to show off influences. McCartney recorded a nice Cajun version of ?Brown-Eyed Handsome Man? for ?Run Devil Run,? and ?Name and Address? (from 1978?s ?London Town?) is one of his best Elvis tributes ever. ?I?m Carrying? is a sweet acoustic guitar-based song that would lead nicely into one of the greatest songs ever written. (Hey, I?ll give him this one and ?Hey Jude.? If you?re going to drop money to see the guy who wrote two of the greatest songs in the history of the English language, he?d better sing ?em.) Venus and Mars/Rock Show Spin It On Jet Live and Let Die Letting Go I hope you caught your breath during that last set, Paul, because this section will wring it out of you. These are, quite simply, some of the best concert songs he?s written. (The only reason I didn?t have ?Venus and Mars/Rock Show? lead off is to avoid a little bit of a cliché.) ?Spin It On,? from 1979?s ?Back to the Egg,? is the obscurity, but find it, play it, and follow it immediately with ?Jet,? and then write and tell me how cool it is.) Maybe I?m Amazed Yvonne?s the One Dear Boy So Bad Arrow Through Me My Brave Face Off the Ground Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five A nod toward some of the later-period ?hits? (?My Brave Face? and ?So Bad? were top five on the AOR charts, ?Off the Ground? hit the top 30). ?Arrow Through Me? should have been a single. ?Dear Boy? is an album cut from ?Ram,? an attack on Beatles partner John Lennon that still offers some entertaining backing vocals. And I?ve always said ?Yvonne?s the One? is one of the best songs McCartney gave away (to 10cc). ?Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five? provides some nice pre-encore theatricality, especially if the band is able to produce the cacophony of sound at the end. And if the ?Band on the Run? out-chorus is pre-recorded, the group can take its bows and run off while the music is playing. ?Band on the run? - get it? Get it? Beautiful Night Let It Be Hey Jude I might be alone in this, but I think ?Beautiful Night? (from 1997?s ?Flaming Pie?) is one of the greatest songs McCartney?s ever written. Its memorable chorus provides a setup for the last two songs, which feature even more memorable choruses. This is the type setlist McCartney could easily do, and the crowds would absolutely love it! Vadim Rizov is lifestyle editor for Washington Square News. Paul McCartney played a thunderously dull set including some of the most famous songs in the world, nimbly avoiding the danger of any emotional effect. The only thing surprising about McCartney's set, perhaps, was that he didn't play "Maybe I'm Amazed." Other than that, he remains the man with the world's most predictable setlist: a few Beatles songs just to remind everyone why he became legitimately famous in the first place, a solo number to reinforce his self-worth and the 357,000th rendition of "Hey Jude," which - if you did the math - he's probably played once for every day of his life. With a grimly efficient backing band behind him and a stadium packed full of the easily manipulated, things went off without a hitch. No one missed their cues, all the pre-coordinated fans waved their glowsticks in the air at the right moment and no one got injured by the fireworks. The set was by-and-large a note-for-note reproduction of classic recorded tunes. Make no mistake: "Hey Jude," on a bad day, is one of the most comforting songs around. But somewhere along the way, a song intended to cheer up a kid worried about his parents' divorce became the song to end all inspirational songs. A song that speaks to everyone tends to end up being a song that speaks to no one. Does it even matter? Is "Hey Jude" just a good song that we all know the words to, or does it mean anything more? It's weird to look for meaning in a Super Bowl halftime show, at which the best-case scenario is that disaster is avoided and no one is unduly offended. But watching Paul McCartney perform songs with professional detachment - songs it's hard to imagine him caring about any longer - is to watch someone formerly exciting going through the motions, frozen in a pose they struck 35 years ago. When McCartney storms through the fossilized canon, does he feel anything? What about the stadium of glowstick-waving fans and fireworks? Did they respond to the songs themselves? Or did they respond to the spectacle, the environment, the chance to see one of the world's two living Beatles stop being a waxwork for a fleeting moment? To be simultaneously united by a song everyone knows but is pretty much immune to is to be alone, together, united by familiarity but excited by nothing - which is kind of interesting, but ultimately boring. This is from a reviewer named George Starostin You could always argue that theoretically, a Paul McCartney show can't be all that great. Come on, even the Beatles themselves weren't the best live band in the world, and this is one fourth part of the Beatles. Come on, he just plays the songs the way they are. Come on, his backing bands are always interchangeable. Come on, the setlist is so painfully predictable it's almost laughable (although he did do 'She's Leaving Home', which even I couldn't have expected!). This is all true. mikeskapla Do people really think they will chase Paul off stage if he replaced obscure barely known Beatle songs like "I'll Get You" for bonafide blockbuster #1 hits like With a Little Luck, Listen to what the Man Said, etc. Did I miss something and Paul's solo career was a complete bomb as opposed to him being one of the biggest hitmakers on the planet? I'll take another crack at this point, everytime I do I get hit so I'll say this in advance: It's kind of weird I think all those that get offended when people make suggestions or disagree some with Paul's approach to concerts. If people think Paul is doing his tours perfectly, good for them, their opinion is just as valid but not more so than people who would like changes. And no I don't think its some sort of disloyalty to Paul if you disagree with his set list or that you are a truer fan if you eat up everything he does without question. I seriously doubt if I ran into Paul on the street, and I told him I'd love to hear more Wings stuff in concert -- he's think those damn Wing fan idiots, they aren't my true fans, its those that want to hear Let It Be and Hey Jude -- they are what I call my true blue fans. Having said all that. I'll run with Paul's articulated thoughts on what he wants to do in a show. He wants to give people the hits. He likes to say when people come to his shows they expect to hear the big songs. He also wants to give a broad perspective of his career and give a few oddies to those hardcore fans like us. Now I really doubt when people come to a Paul McCartney show they are expecting I"ll Get You, In Spite of All the Danger, Till There Was You, C-Moon, Let Me Roll It. In terms of hits: With A Little Luck #1 hit never been done in a major tour Ditto Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey#1 hit, never done Listen to What the Man Said -- #1 hit not done since 76 Silly Love Songs -- #1 hit not done since 76 Top 10 hits never done in a major tour: Helen Wheels, No More Lonley Nights, Juniors Farm, Take It Away, Goodnight Tonight I really can't see people coming to his shows and saying look its a Paul McCartney show I want to hear In Spite of All the Danger and I know that song not that obscure Listen To What the Man Says song. Or they say thankfully, he does Let Me Roll It on practically every tour becuase fans will be missing out -- who wants to hear any other track off of Band on the Run like 1985 or a hit like Helen Wheels, yuk! It's Let Me Roll It or nothing. And yeah C-Moon is the quientesential track from his Wings period, everyone knows that one, not Silly Love Songs, or Listen to what the Man Says. It's that sort of stuff that's puzziling to me. And yeah I know to some its sacriledge to question Paul's set list. For some weird reason we get hit basically for the idea that since we appreciate more of his catalogue then he puts out in concert, it means that we aren't as big a fan. Becauase his big fans should just suck it up and appreciate everything he throws at us. Look I can just as easy if not easier make the case that we are the bigger fans because we appreciate Paul's whole solo career, not just Paul the Beatle. And yeah I appreciate seeing him in concert. I love Paul's shows and I just think they can be even more special where he can cater to his hard core fans without losing his more causal ones. I am not talking about him doing Letting Go instead of Let It Be. But why not With A Little Luck (and BIG Wings hits) over obscure Beatle songs like I'll Get You? Look i am not even asking him to do what MOST major concert acts do like the Stones, Springsteen, and U2 and change things up in the middle of the tour and keep things spicy. Just do some big Wings hits, mix it up. Band on the Run is a classic album. And there are other tracks on that album for example that stand out, it wasn't just Let Me Roll It. Ditto for example with Flaming Pie, great album Looks like Calico Skies is going to be coming for a round 2 and maybe the title track Flaming Pie as well. OK, decent songs. But those weren't the singles -- the singles were: World Tonight, Young Boy, Beautiful Night. If you do Flaming Pie one tour, why not Somedays or Young Boy, etc the next one. If you are going to give the obscure fans a nugget like Let Me Roll It or C-Moon or a track from Flaming Pie. Why repeat the same nugget in the next tour or so, why not give a new one? It seems like he does just that with his Beatle songs but not with his Wings/solo stuff. That to me is the odd thing about Paul's tours compared to what most artists do. And yeah look i am going to go anyway, great shows, I just think they can be made more special if Paul embraced variety. Part of (in my opinion) what makes Paul's albums so special is he's eclectic and brings variety -- so it suprises me that on tour he's one of the more predictable artists. Great shows but predictable. And there is a context to my point, I have seen a ton of concerts so am making apples to apples comparisons to other big artists. And the larger point is it would be very easy for him to break the many years of predictability. I know I've shared a lot here but I wanted to give you guys several different opinions about McCartney's setlist and show you that people are talking!
And who are these writers? I am not interested in the comments of random people writing blogs on the internet. Anyone can do that, without any credentials. I am interested in a "professional" journalist. Show me a newspaper clipping where a reviewer (i.e., music critic) has complained about McCartney's set list. Of the hundreds of reviews you'd be hard-pressed to find a negative one. Oh, and by the way, the inclusion of "I'll Get You" into his setlist was at the prompting of one of his band members, I think it was Brian Ray, I recall reading that.
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David P, no I wouldn't be hard pressed to find one, did you miss the comments from Vadim Rizov the lifestyle editor for the Washington Square news that I included? Tim Cain is a journalist for Herald & Review which is central Illinois #1 news source. So I did exactly what you're asking? I gave a selection of comments from different people, and what difference does it make, whoever it is they are stating that McCartney should change his setlist. Is their opinion any less than yours? I wanted to share a range of different opinions, to show that all kinds of people are commenting about McCartney's predictable setlist. It's all evidence that many people want him to change it.
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This seems a favorite subject or pet peeve of yours. You've written on this issue so copiously, left hand man...it holds tremendous meaning and importance to you. you should be more aware it's not so urgent to many who basically just want to see and hear him in person and take it for granted he can deliver the goods. He cant sing everything hes ever composed so theyre happy with any of his ouevre. Some want to hear the most famous songs even though these songs are so familiar...one supposes the big difference is theyve never heard these in person from the great composer himself. I'm with you, would get even more of a gigantic thrill from equally superlative but less or never performed live or less known ones, I crave diversity, variety but love and adore just about all his stuff I've heard--there still many of his I've not heard even though Ive loved him for so long. am avid to hear these and would love to hear them in concert too for the first time ever. theyd still be exciting or more so for being unfamiliar. but I'd love his concert anyway no matter what the set list, it doesnt mean youre less discerning to react thus, it means you're more devoted and Adoring.
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left hand man:
David P, no I wouldn't be hard pressed to find one, did you miss the comments from Vadim Rizov the lifestyle editor for the Washington Square news that I included? Tim Cain is a journalist for Herald & Review which is central Illinois #1 news source. So I did exactly what you're asking? I gave a selection of comments from different people, and what difference does it make, whoever it is they are stating that McCartney should change his setlist. Is their opinion any less than yours? I wanted to share a range of different opinions, to show that all kinds of people are commenting about McCartney's predictable setlist. It's all evidence that many people want him to change it.
But you haven't shown a range of opinions. You've only picked the few who agree with you. That doesn't show a wide range in the least. Nevertheless, McCartney is going to do whatever he wants regardless of what you, or I say. At this stage in his careeer he doesn't have to listen to anybody. He's earned that right. The reason I don't care about his setlist is he has NEVER come to my corner of the world, so I have never had the opportunity to see him. And if he ever did, I definitely wouldn't be squabbling at all about the setlist. Perhaps those who have seeen him perform numerous times might have a different thought on that. I am just thrilled that he still loves performing. George and John didn't seem that interested in performing in the later years of the Beatles and beyond. Glad that Paul relishes that intimate feedback from a live audience (whatever the songs might be).
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I agree, but to drag out the same basic setlist for TWO DECADES, I repeat TWO DECADES is just inexcusable! That takes absolutely no thought at all, just do what you've always done, no effort at all. Come on, you're telling me the greatest singer/songwriter in the world can't do better than that! Susy you're right, most people are Beatle fans, I am a Paul McCartney fan and like many others I want to see and hear a show that is much more representative of McCartney's entire career! I will keep saying it and posting it until maybe just maybe, McCartney might see it or someone might get the message to him.
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His focus lately seems to be playing to audiences he hasn't played to before....Quebec, Kiev, Israel. As a rersult he's going to do the hits otherwise those people are going to be hugely disappoointed. We are in agreement I'd like to see more Wings songs for sure. I don't know, maybe Paul figures, "Been there, done that" when it comes to Wings. Don't forget alot of the Beatles songs were never performed live by The Beatles. The stuff from 1966 forward. He seems intent on performing every Beatle song he has ever written. Every tour features a half dozen Beatle songs he hasn't performed before. Appears that way.
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DavidP:
McCartney is going to do whatever he wants regardless of what you, or I say. At this stage in his careeer he doesn't have to listen to anybody.
That's the thing. If he really played what he wanted I don't think we would have the same predictable setlist we have over and over again. Obviously I can't speak for McCartney, but its hard for me to imagine he wouldn't drop a few songs he's performed hundreds of times for some fresh ones. He is thinking of the fans - I just think he has the wrong idea of how his fans perceive him.
DavidP:
I am just thrilled that he still loves performing.
This seems to be the general argument of those defending the setlist. I just want to make it clear that those of us who suggest change aren't giving Paul an ultimatum to change or retire. Of course we are going to accept whatever Paul has to offer us, and have a damn good time at his concerts. On the other hand, we are human, not robots, and if you see a way that something could be better, there's nothing wrong with voicing that. I'm thankful Paul is still performing as well. I'm thankful for cheesecake, too, but that doesn't mean it isn't better with strawberries on top . Just saying!
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McCartney's an entertainer, and he loves to entertain. And when he sees and hears the audience digging his songs, he's going to keep on playing. And it's not as if people groan when they hear the opening chords of Let It Be, Long And Winding Road, Live And let Die, Hey Jude. Quite the contrary, they go nuts! So of course he is going to keep playing them. I do wish he'd trust his newer songs a bit more, but hey, whatever.