Some Paul Solo Songs that Should Be Classics and Far Better Known
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Wanted to start a Thread that highlights Solo Songs That at this point should be considered "Classics". I'm talking Classics like Maybe I'm Amazed, Band on the Run (the song), and Live and Let Die
It was so nice to see a Solo "beautiful song" like "Waterfalls" get highlighted on the new McCartney 3,2,1 DocuSeries with Paul and Rick Rubin. It got me thinking about other Paul songs that today in 2021 should also be considered classics. I'm goint to start with 1 song I have in mind that is basically "unknown" to Bealte Fans and even to Paul McCartney Post Beatle Fans. Part of the reason is that some Paul Mccartney Solo/Wings albums were releatively unsuccessful so that the individual songs (even great tracks) from those albums remain obscure. Part of the problem has been Paul himself not playing them on any of his many tours. For example, why Paul didn't play the song below on his "Unplugged" Concert back in 1993 still baffles me. As we have discussed many times, he has been way too rigid going back to the easier songs (many well known Beatle songs) to play. I get it (most of the audience want to hear the songs they know and grew up with) but sticking with this Thread, lets talk about a few Post Beatle Paul Songs that should be far better known to not just Paul Solo fans but Beatle Fans as well.
To make this List, I'm talking about great Paul songs that have both great lyrics and melodies. I invite all here on Maccaboard to share their picks.
My first pick is a song that was on the original Press to Play (PTP) album. As I said, because PTP was such a poor seller, most "even" Paul McCartney Solo fans don't know it. The Song is FOOTPRINTS and here are a few comments.
As a huge Paul Solo Fan, I didn't even know this song until I found and bought the PTP CD (1993 Collection Series and Remaster) arond 2015. Once I discovered this unheralded album, FOOTPRINTS quickly became my favorite song on PTP. Sitll today, I consider it to be one of Paul's Best Songs (Bealtes and Solo). The lyics are just good as the great melody imo.
I love the way the song starts out with a simple Spanish guitar (I think) and Paul starts telling a story about an old man. It is a song about one's Regrets and Heartaches in his life. At least that's my interpretation. Here are the great lyrics:
Verse 1
It's beautiful outside, an old hand gathers wood
Can he see me sitting here, his mind is somewhere else
His friends have flown away, he's left out in the cold
He won't sit by my fire, he says he likes it in the snow
Where Footprints never go, he likes it in the snow
Verse 2
It's getting dark outside, the old hand's going home
Has he someone waiting there? Or is he living on his own?
Where Footprints never go, he likes it in the snow
Chorus
White Blankets hiding the traces of tears she didn't see
Oh White Blankets covers the memory
Of all that used to be, all that used to be
But his heart keeps aching in the same old way
He can't help feeling that she might come back someday
(2nd Chorus)
White Blankets hiding the traces of paths he didn't take
Oh White Blankets covers the memory
Of Moves he didn't make
Oh White Blankets hiding the traces of tears she didn't see
Snow White blanket simply covers the memory
Of all that used to be
But his heart keeps aching in the same old way
He can't help feeling that she might come back someday
______________________________________________
Great lyrics imo and I love the melody of the choruses. Maybe someone can post the song "Footprints".
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My pick is Little Lamb Dragonfly. It's among my favorite Paul songs ever with beautiful melodies and poignant lyrics. It's also a big, multi-parttype of song with changes in tone throughout.
I think it's well liked by big Paul fans, but not known at all by casual fans, let alone by the general public.
I have no answer for you, little lamb
I can help you out
But I cannot help you in
Sometimes you think that life is hard
And this is only one of them
My heart is breaking for you, little lamb
I can help you out
But we may never meet againLa la la la la la la
Dragonfly, fly by my window
You and I still have a way to go
Don't know why you hang around my door
I dont live here any more
Since you've gone (since you've gone)
I never know
I go on (I go on)
But I miss you soDragonfly, don't keep me waiting
(I'm waiting, can't you see me, I'm waiting)
When we try
We'll have a way to goDragonfly, you've been away too long
How did two rights make a wrong?
Since you've gone (since you've gone)
I never know (I never know)
I go on (I go on)
But I miss you so (I miss you so)
In my heart (in my heart)
I feel the pain (I feel the pain)
Keeps coming back againDragonfly, fly by my window
(I'm flying, can't you see me, I'm flying)
You and I (you and I)
Can find a way to see (see-eeh)
Dragonfly, the years ahead will show
How little we really know
Since you've gone (since you've gone)
It's never right (it's never right)
They go on (they go on)
The lonely nights (those lonely nights)
Come on home (come on home)
And make it right (make it right)My heart is aching for you, little lamb
I can help you out
But I cannot help you inLa la la la la la la
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McCall,
Little Lamb Butterfly is a great choice for a song that should be considered a "CLASSIC". For the most part, Paul got a lot of airplay in the 70s but because Red Rose Speedway wasn't a huge critical success for Paul, Little Lamb Butterfly was never released as the Second Single for the album. "My Love" on the same album got all the press and radio airplay. Because Paul was doing like 3 or 4 albums a year in those times, Red Rose Speedway only issued 1 Single. Today's albums usually have a shelf life of at least a couple of years so I guess timing was not on the side of Little Lamb Dragonfly. I certainly believe if Little Lanb Dragonfly was released as the album's 2nd Single, it would be far more known today.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Wanted to start a Thread that highlights Solo Songs That at this point should be considered "Classics". I'm talking Classics like Maybe I'm Amazed, Band on the Run (the song), and Live and Let Die
It was so nice to see a Solo "beautiful song" like "Waterfalls" get highlighted on the new McCartney 3,2,1 DocuSeries with Paul and Rick Rubin. It got me thinking about other Paul songs that today in 2021 should also be considered classics. I'm goint to start with 1 song I have in mind that is basically "unknown" to Bealte Fans and even to Paul McCartney Post Beatle Fans. Part of the reason is that some Paul Mccartney Solo/Wings albums were releatively unsuccessful so that the individual songs (even great tracks) from those albums remain obscure. Part of the problem has been Paul himself not playing them on any of his many tours. For example, why Paul didn't play the song below on his "Unplugged" Concert back in 1993 still baffles me. As we have discussed many times, he has been way too rigid going back to the easier songs (many well known Beatle songs) to play. I get it (most of the audience want to hear the songs they know and grew up with) but sticking with this Thread, lets talk about a few Post Beatle Paul Songs that should be far better known to not just Paul Solo fans but Beatle Fans as well.
To make this List, I'm talking about great Paul songs that have both great lyrics and melodies. I invite all here on Maccaboard to share their picks.
My first pick is a song that was on the original Press to Play (PTP) album. As I said, because PTP was such a poor seller, most "even" Paul McCartney Solo fans don't know it. The Song is FOOTPRINTS and here are a few comments.
As a huge Paul Solo Fan, I didn't even know this song until I found and bought the PTP CD (1993 Collection Series and Remaster) arond 2015. Once I discovered this unheralded album, FOOTPRINTS quickly became my favorite song on PTP. Sitll today, I consider it to be one of Paul's Best Songs (Bealtes and Solo). The lyics are just good as the great melody imo.
I love the way the song starts out with a simple Spanish guitar (I think) and Paul starts telling a story about an old man. It is a song about one's Regrets and Heartaches in his life. At least that's my interpretation. Here are the great lyrics:
Verse 1
It's beautiful outside, an old hand gathers wood
Can he see me sitting here, his mind is somewhere else
His friends have flown away, he's left out in the cold
He won't sit by my fire, he says he likes it in the snow
Where Footprints never go, he likes it in the snow
Verse 2
It's getting dark outside, the old hand's going home
Has he someone waiting there? Or is he living on his own?
Where Footprints never go, he likes it in the snow
Chorus
White Blankets hiding the traces of tears she didn't see
Oh White Blankets covers the memory
Of all that used to be, all that used to be
But his heart keeps aching in the same old way
He can't help feeling that she might come back someday
(2nd Chorus)
White Blankets hiding the traces of paths he didn't take
Oh White Blankets covers the memory
Of Moves he didn't make
Oh White Blankets hiding the traces of tears she didn't see
Snow White blanket simply covers the memory
Of all that used to be
But his heart keeps aching in the same old way
He can't help feeling that she might come back someday
______________________________________________
Great lyrics imo and I love the melody of the choruses. Maybe someone can post the song "Footprints".
My first pick would be "Too Much Rain". Lyrics below.
Laugh when your eyes are burning
Smile when your heart is filled with pain
Sigh as you brush away your sorrow
Make a vow
That it's not going to happen again
It's not right, in one life
Too much rainYou know the wheels keep turning
Why do the tears run down your face
We used to hide away our feelings
But for now
Tell yourself it won't happen again
It's not right, in one life
Too much rainIt's too much, for anyone
Too hard, for anyone
Who wants, a happy and peaceful life
You've got to learn to laughSmile when you're spinning round and round
Sigh as you think about tomorrow
Make a vow
That you're going to be happy again
It's all right, in your life
No more rainIt's too much, for anyone
Too hard, for anyone
Who wants, a happy and peaceful life
You've got to learn to laugh -
Another great one Yankeefan and not because Chaos and Creation was an unsuccessful album. In fact, maybe it's his most consistent album ever and Too Much Rain was always one of my favorites. Of course, once we go into the 90's and beyond, Paul has never received much radio airplay.
This is the reason that both of us find McCartney's Solo Career much more interesting. And of course, Paul doesn't help himself. Another song that I don't believe Paul has ever played on tour.
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Footprints:
Little Lamb Dragonfly:
Too Much Rain:
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Thanks for the Youtube videos Nancy.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Thanks for the Youtube videos Nancy.
You're welcome!
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Put It There - Flowers in the Dirt
Probably a little more known than our 1st 3 choices but to be fair, I think probably a high percentage of just 60's Beatle fans don't know it. Certainly is a classic and Paul did play it on his Flowers in the Dirt tour, but it should be better known imo.
Great Father to Son song with terrific lyrics.
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Wanderlust - Tug of War
imho...Wanderlust is a stone-cold "Classic". Always loved it from the first time I heard Tug of War. Arguably the best song on "Tug" (maybe a tie between this track and the title track). Love the melody and lyrics. Also love George Martin's production and the Brass Ensemble Solo section.
Believe it or not, I love Youtube's video of "Wanderlust" taken from the "Broad Street" Soundtrack the best. While the clip is during the Medley portion of the movie (Yesterday, Here There and Everywhere, and Wanderlust) the video condenses it to just Wanderlust but they do include the Here There and Everywhere "snippet" at the end of the song which I love. Here There and Everywhere happens to be my all-time favorite Beatle Paul song.
Like the mid 70's, Tug of War (the album) was a huge seller (like Band on the Run, Venus and Mars etc) so I would say it is better known than our 1st 4 song selections on this thread, but it still should be as well known as say " Maybe I'm Amazed" imho. I remember the days prior to seeing Paul for the 1st time indoors in Philadelphia (The Driving Rain tour in 2002) I was praying for Paul to do a few of my favorites Tug of War trcks but the tracklist was very Beatle heavy like it was for the Outdoor Stadium Shows in 1989 and 1993. In retrospect, Paul's voice was in terrific shape that night in 2002 for the Arena Show. I always thought it was a crime that Paul didn't fit "Wanderlust" into that Concert. Sadly he never performed the Song "live". Doing the song during that 2002 tour alone would have made "Wanderlust" universally known.
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There are so many.
The first one that comes to mind is Somedays from the Flaming Pie album.
If I don't change the story too much ... Linda had a cooking show or interview ... Paul challenged himself to write while Linda was doing her thing. Wanting to have a partial capture - he wrote the whole thing. He recorded it playing all the instruments like a McCartney recording. He wanted more - a score - so he called up George Martin and another great one gem was created.Also with a farmland background where Linda was doing her show ...
I picked it because it is not played or displayed how it could be.
There are many more... -
I will add a couple and the first one is "Little Willow" which may be the most beautiful song he has ever written IMO. The video is very well done and this song would have been great addition to his acoustic part of the show.
The other song is "I Can Bet " from the album "New", it is my favorite song on the album. Great little uptempo/rocker than screamed out to be done live -lol
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"Somedays" is a Great one "Fool". I loved your "song originin" description. This is why Tug of War, Flaming Pie, Flowers in the Dirt and Chaos and Creation were such great Paul Solo Albums. Each one has multiple candidates for "Classic" consideration.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Wanderlust - Tug of War
imho...Wanderlust is a stone-cold "Classic". Always loved it from the first time I heard Tug of War. Arguably the best song on "Tug" (maybe a tie between this track and the title track). Love the melody and lyrics. Also love George Martin's production and the Brass Ensemble Solo section.
Believe it or not, I love Youtube's video of "Wanderlust" taken from the "Broad Street" Soundtrack the best. While the clip is during the Medley portion of the movie (Yesterday, Here There and Everywhere, and Wanderlust) the video condenses it to just Wanderlust but they do include the Here There and Everywhere "snippet" at the end of the song which I love. Here There and Everywhere happens to be my all-time favorite Beatle Paul song.
Like the mid 70's, Tug of War (the album) was a huge seller (like Band on the Run, Venus and Mars etc) so I would say it is better known than our 1st 4 song selections on this thread, but it still should be as well known as say " Maybe I'm Amazed" imho. I remember the days prior to seeing Paul for the 1st time indoors in Philadelphia (The Driving Rain tour in 2002) I was praying for Paul to do a few of my favorites Tug of War trcks but the tracklist was very Beatle heavy like it was for the Outdoor Stadium Shows in 1989 and 1993. In retrospect, Paul's voice was in terrific shape that night in 2002 for the Arena Show. I always thought it was a crime that Paul didn't fit "Wanderlust" into that Concert. Sadly he never performed the Song "live". Doing the song during that 2002 tour alone would have made "Wanderlust" universally known.
"Wanderlust" is fairly well known IMO and was on two other compilation type albums (Pure McCartney & The Art Of McCartney), Brian Wilson sang it on "The Art Of McCartney". While it is a great song, I never thought it would be something that would go over well live.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Wanderlust - Tug of War
imho...Wanderlust is a stone-cold "Classic". Always loved it from the first time I heard Tug of War. Arguably the best song on "Tug" (maybe a tie between this track and the title track). Love the melody and lyrics. Also love George Martin's production and the Brass Ensemble Solo section.
Believe it or not, I love Youtube's video of "Wanderlust" taken from the "Broad Street" Soundtrack the best. While the clip is during the Medley portion of the movie (Yesterday, Here There and Everywhere, and Wanderlust) the video condenses it to just Wanderlust but they do include the Here There and Everywhere "snippet" at the end of the song which I love. Here There and Everywhere happens to be my all-time favorite Beatle Paul song.
Like the mid 70's, Tug of War (the album) was a huge seller (like Band on the Run, Venus and Mars etc) so I would say it is better known than our 1st 4 song selections on this thread, but it still should be as well known as say " Maybe I'm Amazed" imho. I remember the days prior to seeing Paul for the 1st time indoors in Philadelphia (The Driving Rain tour in 2002) I was praying for Paul to do a few of my favorites Tug of War trcks but the tracklist was very Beatle heavy like it was for the Outdoor Stadium Shows in 1989 and 1993. In retrospect, Paul's voice was in terrific shape that night in 2002 for the Arena Show. I always thought it was a crime that Paul didn't fit "Wanderlust" into that Concert. Sadly he never performed the Song "live". Doing the song during that 2002 tour alone would have made "Wanderlust" universally known.
"Wanderlust" is fairly well known IMO and was on two other compilation type albums (Pure McCartney & The Art Of McCartney), Brian Wilson sang it on "The Art Of McCartney". While it is a great song, I never thought it would be something that would go over well live.
Good points. I don't think Paul could do "Wanderlust" today on tour for it to go over well. If there was ever a time I think he could have done it was around the 2002 period when he had a new band and Wix was still in the Band. I think his "voice" was that good at the time. It doesn't seem to get any airplay on oldies' playlists or Adult Contemporary Formats. When you compare it to Beatle "big" songs, Wanderlust is not nearly as universally known. Like you, I think it is truly a great song.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
I will add a couple and the first one is "Little Willow" which may be the most beautiful song he has ever written IMO. The video is very well done and this song would have been great addition to his acoustic part of the show.
The other song is "I Can Bet " from the album "New", it is my favorite song on the album. Great little uptempo/rocker than screamed out to be done live -lol
Yankeefan,
I agree 100%. "Little Willow" is a classic and should be much better known. Again, another great Solo song that Paul should have done "live" when you consider all the years he has been touring. You would think it would be fairly easy. At least he did "Put It There' on one complete tour (The Flowers in the Dirt tour) but to think he has never done "Little Willow" is "nuts" imo.
"I Can Bet" is the most obscure choice so far, but like you, I love the song. It wasn't one of the songs that Paul or the record company was pushing when it was released but personally I like it better than the 4-5 tracks they were pushing. My choice from the "New" album is "Early Days" which should be considered a classic and much better known imo.
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"My choice from the "New" album is "Early Days" which should be considered a classic and much better known imo."
Excellent point and I do agree especially since it refers back to his pre -Beatle days with Lennon. I actually was quite suprised he did not do that one live, seemed perfect fit to his acoustic part of the show. I had mentioned a few times that I thought he could have swapped "Here Today" for "Early Days" as his trubute to Lennon every other show. Mix up the set list a little each night.and give exposure to a great acoustic number. "Here Today" was not known by the general McCartney fan until he started doing it live, he missed chance to do that with "Early Days".
""I Can Bet" is the most obscure choice so far, but like you, I love the song. It wasn't one of the songs that Paul or the record company was pushing when it was released but personally I like it better than the 4-5 tracks they were pushing"
His record company and management team does not always have the best judgement IMO with selection of songs to push as single or setlist. This song would have been a good single and great live IMO. I admit I am in the minority but never was a big fan of "Queenie Eye" and would rather have heard "I Can Bet". This excellent song will be lost and never truly discovered by the average McCartney fan - oh well.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
"My choice from the "New" album is "Early Days" which should be considered a classic and much better known imo."
Excellent point and I do agree especially since it refers back to his pre -Beatle days with Lennon. I actually was quite suprised he did not do that one live, seemed perfect fit to his acoustic part of the show. I had mentioned a few times that I thought he could have swapped "Here Today" for "Early Days" as his trubute to Lennon every other show. Mix up the set list a little each night.and give exposure to a great acoustic number. "Here Today" was not known by the general McCartney fan until he started doing it live, he missed chance to do that with "Early Days".
""I Can Bet" is the most obscure choice so far, but like you, I love the song. It wasn't one of the songs that Paul or the record company was pushing when it was released but personally I like it better than the 4-5 tracks they were pushing"
His record company and management team does not always have the best judgement IMO with selection of songs to push as single or setlist. This song would have been a good single and great live IMO. I admit I am in the minority but never was a big fan of "Queenie Eye" and would rather have heard "I Can Bet". This excellent song will be lost and never truly discovered by the average McCartney fan - oh well.
Yankeefan, I totally agree with you about I Can Bet - love it! And Queenie Eye - not a fan either. And Little Willow should have been done in concert - a gem!
Fool, Somedays is another one I love!
B J, Wanderlust is a fantastic song too! What did you mean "and Wix was still in the band?" He's the only one who's never left!
(with Paul since 1989) -
Nancy R wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
"My choice from the "New" album is "Early Days" which should be considered a classic and much better known imo."
Excellent point and I do agree especially since it refers back to his pre -Beatle days with Lennon. I actually was quite suprised he did not do that one live, seemed perfect fit to his acoustic part of the show. I had mentioned a few times that I thought he could have swapped "Here Today" for "Early Days" as his trubute to Lennon every other show. Mix up the set list a little each night.and give exposure to a great acoustic number. "Here Today" was not known by the general McCartney fan until he started doing it live, he missed chance to do that with "Early Days".
""I Can Bet" is the most obscure choice so far, but like you, I love the song. It wasn't one of the songs that Paul or the record company was pushing when it was released but personally I like it better than the 4-5 tracks they were pushing"
His record company and management team does not always have the best judgement IMO with selection of songs to push as single or setlist. This song would have been a good single and great live IMO. I admit I am in the minority but never was a big fan of "Queenie Eye" and would rather have heard "I Can Bet". This excellent song will be lost and never truly discovered by the average McCartney fan - oh well.
Yankeefan, I totally agree with you about I Can Bet - love it! And Queenie Eye - not a fan either. And Little Willow should have been done in concert - a gem!
Fool, Somedays is another one I love!
B J, Wanderlust is a fantastic song too! What did you mean "and Wix was still in the band?" He's the only one who's never left!
(with Paul since 1989)Great points Yankeefan.
Nancy...sorry, my point about Wix came out wrong. I was justifying why Paul should have done Wanderlust back in 2002 when his voice was still very good. Along wih the other members of the Band, Wix couild do his magic making "Wanderlust" sound great beyond Paul's basic piano.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
"My choice from the "New" album is "Early Days" which should be considered a classic and much better known imo."
Excellent point and I do agree especially since it refers back to his pre -Beatle days with Lennon. I actually was quite suprised he did not do that one live, seemed perfect fit to his acoustic part of the show. I had mentioned a few times that I thought he could have swapped "Here Today" for "Early Days" as his trubute to Lennon every other show. Mix up the set list a little each night.and give exposure to a great acoustic number. "Here Today" was not known by the general McCartney fan until he started doing it live, he missed chance to do that with "Early Days".
""I Can Bet" is the most obscure choice so far, but like you, I love the song. It wasn't one of the songs that Paul or the record company was pushing when it was released but personally I like it better than the 4-5 tracks they were pushing"
His record company and management team does not always have the best judgement IMO with selection of songs to push as single or setlist. This song would have been a good single and great live IMO. I admit I am in the minority but never was a big fan of "Queenie Eye" and would rather have heard "I Can Bet". This excellent song will be lost and never truly discovered by the average McCartney fan - oh well.
Yankeefan, I totally agree with you about I Can Bet - love it! And Queenie Eye - not a fan either. And Little Willow should have been done in concert - a gem!
Fool, Somedays is another one I love!
B J, Wanderlust is a fantastic song too! What did you mean "and Wix was still in the band?" He's the only one who's never left!
(with Paul since 1989)Great points Yankeefan.
Nancy...sorry, my point about Wix came out wrong. I was justifying why Paul should have done Wanderlust back in 2002 when his voice was still very good. Along wih the other members of the Band, Wix couild do his magic making "Wanderlust" sound great beyond Paul's basic piano.
Fixed your post to separate it from mine.
I agree, he should have done Wanderlust in 2002 when he could easily have sung it! A missed opportunity.
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