Favorite Paul Songs (Top 72 since '72)
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For Paul's 72nd birthday, I've been talking a lot about his music today with people, especially in social media. We were talking about favorite songs and how expansive his songbook is, even since the Beatles. I decided to come up with my own list of my 72 favorite McCartney songs since 1972...and surprisingly, it wasn't easy! Had to cut a lot of songs out, plus I didn't include any Beatles, McCartney (I), or Ram. Only took me about 30 minutes to do. Anybody else got a list of their favorites? It doesn't have to be 72! It could be 5 or 10, or even 100. Here's mine. I took into account the ones I listen to the most, the songs that have special meaning to me, and some that I enjoy playing on the bass. Hope I got most of the years right...some are release years, others are recorded years. #72. Waterfalls (1980) #71. Sally G (1974) #70. Freedom (2001) #69. Give Ireland Back To The Irish (1972) #68. Get On The Right Thing (1973) #67. Mary Had a Little Lamb (1972) #66. Girlfriend (197
#65. I've Had Enough (197 #64. Take It Away (1982) #63. This One (1989) #62. Only Our Hearts (2012) #61. Calico Skies (1997) #60. C Moon (1972) #59. London Town (197 #58. My Love (1973) #57. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People (1975) #56. Warm and Beautiful (1976) #55. With a Little Luck (197 #54. Spies Like Us (1984) #53. My Brave Face (1989) #52. Winter Rose/Love Awake (1979) #51. Getting Closer (1979) #50. Motor of Love (1989) #49. Call Me Back Again (1975) #48. The World Tonight (1997) #47. Angry (1986) #46. We're Open Tonight (1979) #45. Daytime Nighttime Suffering (1979) #44. Only Love Remains (1986) #43. Baby's Request (1979) #42. Ballroom Dancing (1982) #41. Figure of Eight (1989) #40. Once Upon a Long Ago (1986) #39. Early Days (2013) #38. Your Loving Flame (2001) #37. Everybody Out There (2013) #36. Dance Tonight (2007) #35. That Was Me (2007) #34. Magic (2001) #33. No More Lonely Nights (1984) #32. Young Boy (1997) #31. After the Ball/Million Miles (1979) #30. Mamunia (1973) #29. Wanderlust (1982) #28. Venus and Mars [reprise] (1975) #27. Heather (2005) #26. New (2013) #25. Junior's Farm (1972) #24. Little Lamb Dragonfly (1973) #23. Beware My Love (1976) #22. Helen Wheels (1973) #21. Wonderful Christmastime (1979) #20. C'mon People (1993) #19. Old Siam, Sir (1979) #18. Silly Love Songs (1976) #17. So Bad (1983) #16. Soily [Live] (1976) #15. Listen To What The Man Said (1975) #14. Jet (1973) #13. Goodnight Tonight (1979) #12. Big Barn Bed (1973) #11. Queenie Eye (2013) #10. Press (1986) #09. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (1973) #08. However Absurd (1986) #07. Mull of Kintyre (1977) #06. Venus and Mars / Rock Show (1975) #05. Beautiful Night (1997) #04. Coming Up [Live] (1979) #03. Let Me Roll It (1973) #02. Letting Go [Live] (1976) #01. Band On The Run (1973) -
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
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LetMeRollIt89:
For Paul's 72nd birthday, I've been talking a lot about his music today with people, especially in social media. We were talking about favorite songs and how expansive his songbook is, even since the Beatles. I decided to come up with my own list of my 72 favorite McCartney songs since 1972...and surprisingly, it wasn't easy! Had to cut a lot of songs out, plus I didn't include any Beatles, McCartney (I), or Ram. Only took me about 30 minutes to do. Anybody else got a list of their favorites? It doesn't have to be 72! It could be 5 or 10, or even 100. Here's mine. I took into account the ones I listen to the most, the songs that have special meaning to me, and some that I enjoy playing on the bass. Hope I got most of the years right...some are release years, others are recorded years. #72. Waterfalls (1980) #71. Sally G (1974) #70. Freedom (2001) #69. Give Ireland Back To The Irish (1972) #68. Get On The Right Thing (1973) #67. Mary Had a Little Lamb (1972) #66. Girlfriend (197
#65. I've Had Enough (197 #64. Take It Away (1982) #63. This One (1989) #62. Only Our Hearts (2012) #61. Calico Skies (1997) #60. C Moon (1972) #59. London Town (197 #58. My Love (1973) #57. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People (1975) #56. Warm and Beautiful (1976) #55. With a Little Luck (197 #54. Spies Like Us (1984) #53. My Brave Face (1989) #52. Winter Rose/Love Awake (1979) #51. Getting Closer (1979) #50. Motor of Love (1989) #49. Call Me Back Again (1975) #48. The World Tonight (1997) #47. Angry (1986) #46. We're Open Tonight (1979) #45. Daytime Nighttime Suffering (1979) #44. Only Love Remains (1986) #43. Baby's Request (1979) #42. Ballroom Dancing (1982) #41. Figure of Eight (1989) #40. Once Upon a Long Ago (1986) #39. Early Days (2013) #38. Your Loving Flame (2001) #37. Everybody Out There (2013) #36. Dance Tonight (2007) #35. That Was Me (2007) #34. Magic (2001) #33. No More Lonely Nights (1984) #32. Young Boy (1997) #31. After the Ball/Million Miles (1979) #30. Mamunia (1973) #29. Wanderlust (1982) #28. Venus and Mars [reprise] (1975) #27. Heather (2005) #26. New (2013) #25. Junior's Farm (1972) #24. Little Lamb Dragonfly (1973) #23. Beware My Love (1976) #22. Helen Wheels (1973) #21. Wonderful Christmastime (1979) #20. C'mon People (1993) #19. Old Siam, Sir (1979) #18. Silly Love Songs (1976) #17. So Bad (1983) #16. Soily [Live] (1976) #15. Listen To What The Man Said (1975) #14. Jet (1973) #13. Goodnight Tonight (1979) #12. Big Barn Bed (1973) #11. Queenie Eye (2013) #10. Press (1986) #09. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (1973) #08. However Absurd (1986) #07. Mull of Kintyre (1977) #06. Venus and Mars / Rock Show (1975) #05. Beautiful Night (1997) #04. Coming Up [Live] (1979) #03. Let Me Roll It (1973) #02. Letting Go [Live] (1976) #01. Band On The Run (1973)Loving the list. Can he do a concert with this set list???
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favoritething:
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
Thanks. As for the songs you pointed out, I think if I had listened to "Tug of War" before I made this list, "Take It Away" would be higher. "Stranglehold" was on my list for a while, but got bumped off towards the end when I had to cut down from 80 songs to 72. I have a special memory with "So Bad" and love the Broad Street soundtrack, which is why it made my list. "Spies Like Us" made the list because of the music video and I like the movie. As for "Old Siam, Sir"...I just love to crank that one!
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As they say, your mileage may vary. A list that includes "Freedom" and nothing from "Chaos" is definitely not a list I'd come up with. But whatever floats your boat.
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Bruce M.:
As they say, your mileage may vary. A list that includes "Freedom" and nothing from "Chaos" is definitely not a list I'd come up with. But whatever floats your boat.
Yeah, when there are hundreds of songs to pick from, theres gonna be variety. Thats why I'd like to see what other people consider. "Chaos and Creation" is probably my least favorite McCartney album. I almost put "Fine Line" in there, but I'm just not crazy about that material. Also, "Freedom" is a song I have a very fond memory of when it came out...during the concert for New York City.
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It's funny - I thought for sure that out of 72 songs a lot of my favorites would be on this list, but there's many I would have included (and some I would exclude... Wonderful Christmastime is fine for a xmas tune but definitely not in my top 72 Macca songs) I don't have the energy to put together a full list of 72 in order but I would definitely have included in my list in addition to some of yours: [list] Jenny Wren Hi Hi Hi Temporary Secretary Here Today Little Willow Fine Line Mrs. Vandebilt Souvenir Friends to Go Every Present Past [/list:u] 72 songs sounds easy to compile, but he has too many damn good songs
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dappa-macca:
It's funny - I thought for sure that out of 72 songs a lot of my favorites would be on this list, but there's many I would have included (and some I would exclude... Wonderful Christmastime is fine for a xmas tune but definitely not in my top 72 Macca songs) I don't have the energy to put together a full list of 72 in order but I would definitely have included in my list in addition to some of yours: [list] Jenny Wren Hi Hi Hi Temporary Secretary Here Today Little Willow Fine Line Mrs. Vandebilt Souvenir Friends to Go Every Present Past [/list:u] 72 songs sounds easy to compile, but he has too many damn good songs
I never fully realized just how many songs there were until I started this list...and I have found my first error thanks to you. I don't know how I forgot "Hi, Hi, Hi"! I am astounded, haha. Part of me wants to just go to 100 songs. I may. Also, I've got "Wonderful Christmastime" in my list because I have a lot of great Christmas and holiday memories over the years that the song reminds me of. Plus I really like the video!
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favoritething:
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
Do you mean you don't like "So Bad" being on the list at all or that it's placed too low or too high or what? I love the song. For me, it's Paul's solo "Here, There and Everywhere"; gorgeous melody and vocal. Never much cared for "Spies Like Us" or "Old Siam Sir". Neither would be on my list. (Nor would "C'Moon". Just never got the appeal of that one. Nor "Mamunia," which to me is just boring and goes on forever. ) There are others. To each his own. What makes this exercise great is that...there are so many songs to choose from and we all have different tastes and can express them!
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Beatles4Ever&Ever:
What makes this exercise great is that...there are so many songs to choose from and we all have different tastes and can express them!
Exactly! It's one thing to say that X is the "best" McCartney song and Y is the "worst", etc. But to actually think it through, taking into account one's own personal thoughts/emotions/memories of a certain song or group of songs, it takes on a new form; and I've seen a lot of different tastes in the styles of Macca's music from the board members, so it's great to hear what songs others would include that I didn't, because we've had different experiences. Also you mentioned C Moon. Another example of a song with a memory for me. I love the piano in it, and that little bit of Jamaican flavor. My brother-in-law is a huge fan of that song and will blast it from his truck when he drives up and I'm outside...silly, yes...but a fun part of our relationship. I could probably list 100 songs from Paul's solo catalog and attach a specific memory to each one. I love it!
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Beatles4Ever&Ever:
favoritething:
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
Do you mean you don't like "So Bad" being on the list at all or that it's placed too low or too high or what? I love the song. For me, it's Paul's solo "Here, There and Everywhere"; gorgeous melody and vocal. Never much cared for "Spies Like Us" or "Old Siam Sir". Neither would be on my list. (Nor would "C'Moon". Just never got the appeal of that one. Nor "Mamunia," which to me is just boring and goes on forever. ) There are others. To each his own. What makes this exercise great is that...there are so many songs to choose from and we all have different tastes and can express them!
I like "So Bad," but not enough to be in the Top 72. I'd more likely put "Through Our Love" there. I don't dislike "Old Siam, Sir" either, but that would be lower down. Mind you, there are very very few of his songs that I actually dislike, but "Spies Like Us" happens to be one of them. What's that saying: "Even when McCartney's bad, he's pretty good!"
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Tons Of GREAT B sides missing
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favoritething:
Beatles4Ever&Ever:
favoritething:
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
Do you mean you don't like "So Bad" being on the list at all or that it's placed too low or too high or what? I love the song. For me, it's Paul's solo "Here, There and Everywhere"; gorgeous melody and vocal. Never much cared for "Spies Like Us" or "Old Siam Sir". Neither would be on my list. (Nor would "C'Moon". Just never got the appeal of that one. Nor "Mamunia," which to me is just boring and goes on forever. ) There are others. To each his own. What makes this exercise great is that...there are so many songs to choose from and we all have different tastes and can express them!
I like "So Bad," but not enough to be in the Top 72. I'd more likely put "Through Our Love" there. I don't dislike "Old Siam, Sir" either, but that would be lower down. Mind you, there are very very few of his songs that I actually dislike, but "Spies Like Us" happens to be one of them. What's that saying: "Even when McCartney's bad, he's pretty good!"
True.
When watching the "Spies Like Us" video Paul did with Chase and Akroyd, I sort of felt embarrassed. They seemed to like it, however. Guess they thought, "Hey, it's Paul Friggin' McCartney; if he can write a great James Bond song in about ten minutes, whatever he does will be fine." (When I watch the video, I keep thinking how much I love that green sweater he wore. I looked and looked in every store I could think of to try and find one like it. lol) I sort of think he did the same thing with "Vanilla Sky". Just cranked it out without much thought. But.....yes, even when he's bad, he's pretty good! -
Good list change # 70. 66. 57.54.50.21.10 OR DROP OFF ALOT BETTER SONGS TO REPLACE WITH IMO
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This is my listening count order on iTunes. I've only had iTunes for a few years so it's not really fair but I've not got the time to do it any other way. Too much rain The lovers that never were Fine line A certain softness Put it there Hope of deliverance Jenny wren English tea Friends to go How kind of you Follow me At the mercy Riding to vanity fair Get out of my way Promise to you girl See you sunshine Only mamma knows Mr Bellamy Ever present past That was me I owe it all to you This never happened before Off the ground Mistress and maid Calico skies I'm surprised no 'New' is on because I've played it constantly since release?
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greenmetalsuit:
This is my listening count order on iTunes. I've only had iTunes for a few years so it's not really fair but I've not got the time to do it any other way. Too much rain The lovers that never were Fine line A certain softness Put it there Hope of deliverance Jenny wren English tea Friends to go How kind of you Follow me At the mercy Riding to vanity fair Get out of my way Promise to you girl See you sunshine Only mamma knows Mr Bellamy Ever present past That was me I owe it all to you This never happened before Off the ground Mistress and maid Calico skies I'm surprised no 'New' is on because I've played it constantly since release?
Good idea. I'm gonna have to check my plays count on iTunes.
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Beatles4Ever&Ever:
favoritething:
Beatles4Ever&Ever:
favoritething:
Great list! I would only disagree with: Spies Like Us Old Siam, Sir So Bad I'd say where's "Stranglehold" and that "Take It Away" should be much higher.
Do you mean you don't like "So Bad" being on the list at all or that it's placed too low or too high or what? I love the song. For me, it's Paul's solo "Here, There and Everywhere"; gorgeous melody and vocal. Never much cared for "Spies Like Us" or "Old Siam Sir". Neither would be on my list. (Nor would "C'Moon". Just never got the appeal of that one. Nor "Mamunia," which to me is just boring and goes on forever. ) There are others. To each his own. What makes this exercise great is that...there are so many songs to choose from and we all have different tastes and can express them!
I like "So Bad," but not enough to be in the Top 72. I'd more likely put "Through Our Love" there. I don't dislike "Old Siam, Sir" either, but that would be lower down. Mind you, there are very very few of his songs that I actually dislike, but "Spies Like Us" happens to be one of them. What's that saying: "Even when McCartney's bad, he's pretty good!"
True.
When watching the "Spies Like Us" video Paul did with Chase and Akroyd, I sort of felt embarrassed. They seemed to like it, however. Guess they thought, "Hey, it's Paul Friggin' McCartney; if he can write a great James Bond song in about ten minutes, whatever he does will be fine." (When I watch the video, I keep thinking how much I love that green sweater he wore. I looked and looked in every store I could think of to try and find one like it. lol) I sort of think he did the same thing with "Vanilla Sky". Just cranked it out without much thought. But.....yes, even when he's bad, he's pretty good! I have a soft spot for Spies Like Us.... not a musical piece of absolute brilliance.... but it gives me a giggle, and so does the video - Chevy and Dan in their sorta prime. And given the film was a comedy, I guess the song did its job. It still makes me feel good listening to it.
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Freedom, however, is just an absolutely ordinary song. Should be nowhere near any list of a positive nature for any artist of the stature of McCartney.
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I must agree that Freedom isn't my favorite.
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Just saw this, can't wait to make my list! It will be difficult to get it down to 72
i'm going to put my favs of the fav... 
