Some Paul Solo Songs that Should Be Classics and Far Better Known
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Thanks for everyone who has participated. One thing I think for certain...if Paul had written almost all of these songs in his Beatle years, they would be universally known and some would have been big hits.
Now proceeding along and something far more recent (2018) my next choice would be:
I Don't Know (Egypt Station) - I loved this song the 1st time I heard it and it has only grown in my estimation with repeated listens. Lyrically, it was different for Paul. He wasn't his optmistic self. As he said, he was going through a tough time and his only answer was "I Don't Know". Loved the 1st verse when he says:
I Got Crows at my Window, dogs at my door
I don't think I can take it anymore
What am I doing wrong
I Don't Know
______________________________________________________________
As the song continues, I just love the Chorus:
(Chorus)
But it's alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
You're fine, little love of mine
You will feel no pain
____________________________
Everytime I hear this chorus (twice, once in the beginning and once at the end) I think Paul is thinking of Linda and the pain she had to go through. Anywat I love this part of the song but he continues with these smart lyrics:
verse 3
Well, I see trouble at every turn
I've got so many lessons to learn
What am I doiing wrong
I Don't know
_____________________________________________________
Imho...I Don't Know is a great ballad in the blues tradition. i think there are 3 or 4 other great songs on Egypt Station, but this is one of my favorites. I think it is a Paul song that John Lennon would have liked.
Unfortunately, Paul and the record company decided to push "Fuh You"...one of the worse songs on Egypt Station imho. Even on tour, Paul and Band was doing "Fuh You" instead of doing the great songs on Egypt Station like "I Don't Know", Confidante or Dominoes. Anyway I'm digressing here. In my opinion, "I Don't Know" is a classic Paul song and should be known a lot more. I never hear the song on any Adult Contemporart Playlists and that is a crime. Great Song and certainly deserves inclusion here. I think "I Don't Know" showed the rest of us that even Paul McCartney is human too. Even Paul goes through bad patches.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Thanks for everyone who has participated. One thing I think for certain...if Paul had written almost all of these songs in his Beatle years, they would be universally known and some would have been big hits.
Now proceeding along and something far more recent (2018) my next choice would be:
I Don't Know (Egypt Station) - I loved this song the 1st time I heard it and it has only grown in my estimation with repeated listens. Lyrically, it was different for Paul. He wasn't his optmistic self. As he said, he was going through a tough time and his only answer was "I Don't Know". Loved the 1st verse when he says:
I Got Crows at my Window, dogs at my door
I don't think I can take it anymore
What am I doing wrong
I Don't Know
______________________________________________________________
As the song continues, I just love the Chorus:
(Chorus)
But it's alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
You're fine, little love of mine
You will feel no pain
____________________________
Everytime I hear this chorus (twice, once in the beginning and once at the end) I think Paul is thinking of Linda and the pain she had to go through. Anywat I love this part of the song but he continues with these smart lyrics:
verse 3
Well, I see trouble at every turn
I've got so many lessons to learn
What
Absolutely, the only difference between these songs and the big Beatles hits that everyone knows, is when they were written. I Don't Know is a great song, it and the other songs being mentioned would been hugely popular if he had written them during the Beatles years.
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I also agree on "I Can Bet" ... I would probably respond with some kind of yes or alright!
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McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Thanks for everyone who has participated. One thing I think for certain...if Paul had written almost all of these songs in his Beatle years, they would be universally known and some would have been big hits.
Now proceeding along and something far more recent (2018) my next choice would be:
I Don't Know (Egypt Station) - I loved this song the 1st time I heard it and it has only grown in my estimation with repeated listens. Lyrically, it was different for Paul. He wasn't his optmistic self. As he said, he was going through a tough time and his only answer was "I Don't Know". Loved the 1st verse when he says:
I Got Crows at my Window, dogs at my door
I don't think I can take it anymore
What am I doing wrong
I Don't Know
______________________________________________________________
As the song continues, I just love the Chorus:
(Chorus)
But it's alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
You're fine, little love of mine
You will feel no pain
____________________________
Everytime I hear this chorus (twice, once in the beginning and once at the end) I think Paul is thinking of Linda and the pain she had to go through. Anywat I love this part of the song but he continues with these smart lyrics:
verse 3
Well, I see trouble at every turn
I've got so many lessons to learn
What
Absolutely, the only difference between these songs and the big Beatles hits that everyone knows, is when they were written. I Don't Know is a great song, it and the other songs being mentioned would been hugely popular if he had written them during the Beatles years.
Thanks for your opinion McCall. I agree with you 100%. We still have a bunch of other songs to add. I'm sure you have a few more in your mind.
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B J, I won't quote your long post about "I Don't Know" but just wanted to say that I think there is a chance he did not write this song about Linda, but about a rough patch with Nancy. Of course I could be totally wrong.
Also, I know you hate "Fuh You" but would you like it if he had properly titled it "For You?" Is it the song itself you dislike, or the connotation that it has with the changed title? (which I dislike btw, but love the song) -
B J Conlee wrote:
McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Thanks for everyone who has participated. One thing I think for certain...if Paul had written almost all of these songs in his Beatle years, they would be universally known and some would have been big hits.
Now proceeding along and something far more recent (2018) my next choice would be:
I Don't Know (Egypt Station) - I loved this song the 1st time I heard it and it has only grown in my estimation with repeated listens. Lyrically, it was different for Paul. He wasn't his optmistic self. As he said, he was going through a tough time and his only answer was "I Don't Know". Loved the 1st verse when he says:
I Got Crows at my Window, dogs at my door
I don't think I can take it anymore
What am I doing wrong
I Don't Know
______________________________________________________________
As the song continues, I just love the Chorus:
(Chorus)
But it's alright, sleep tight
I will take the strain
You're fine, little love of mine
You will feel no pain
____________________________
Everytime I hear this chorus (twice, once in the beginning and once at the end) I think Paul is thinking of Linda and the pain she had to go through. Anywat I love this part of the song but he continues with these smart lyrics:
verse 3
Well, I see trouble at every turn
I've got so many lessons to learn
What
Absolutely, the only difference between these songs and the big Beatles hits that everyone knows, is when they were written. I Don't Know is a great song, it and the other songs being mentioned would been hugely popular if he had written them during the Beatles years.
Thanks for your opinion McCall. I agree with you 100%. We still have a bunch of other songs to add. I'm sure you have a few more in your mind.
Here are some other, at least semi-obscure, songs that I think are classics and deserve to be well known:
Cafe on the Left Bank
One of These Days
The Pound is Sinking
Golden Earth Girl
Jenny Wren
Riding to Vanity Fair
The Kiss of Venus
*Nancy R, I just saw your post above, and for what it's worth I agree with you, I like Fuh You a lot, but I wish it was titled "For You".
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I fully agree with Too Much Rain, Little Lamb Dragonfly (so wonderful) and Put it There.
I will add The Back Seat of My Car.... I adore that song. It's brilliant.
Tug of War.
Beautiful Night.
And, whilst it will not be accepted so much, I think "Girlfriend" is one of the greatest "pop" songs ever written. Sits along with "Daytime Nightime Suffering" as pure pop bliss.
Lots more I need to consider.... but one step at a time.
I'm sure there is a lot more out there!
I'll Get Back.
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I'm going to add to the "list" that McCall just gave...Jenny Wren and Riding to Vanity Fair - from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.
Yankeefan had already given us "Too Much Rain" (great choice) from the same album. "Jenny Wren and Riding to Vanity Fair" are great tracks that should be considered classics today. As we know, Jenny Wren continues Paul's penchant for writing "bird" songs and folllows that same theme. Jenny Wren has great lyrics and thankfully Paul added it to his tour setlist in 2005. "Riding to Vanity Fair "is a song imho more about betrayal so it's a little different for him. Lyrics are also terrific. Both songs should be far better known.
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B J Conlee wrote:
I'm going to add to more choices that McCall just nominated...Jenny Wren and Riding to Vanity Fair - from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.
Yankeefan had already given us "Too Much Rain" (great choice) from the same album. "Jenny Wren and Riding to Vanity Fair" are great tracks too that should be considered classics. As we know, Jenny Wren continues Paul's penchant for writing "bird" songs and folllows that theme. Jenny Wren has great lyrics and thankfully Paul added to his tour setlist in 2005. "Riding to Vanity Fair "is a song imho more about betrayal so it's a little different for him. Lyrics are also terrific. Both songs should be far better known.
With respect, BJ, the only one of those songs that might get on a Beatles album (which will always be my barometer) is Too Much Rain. The others would be dwarfed. Riding to Vanity Fair is eventually tiresome. Jenny Wren a nice blend that leans into the pedestrian. A good song, but no Bluebird... let alone Blackbird. That being said, I think I almost prefer Bluebird. All great songs.
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Nancy R wrote:
B J, I won't quote your long post about "I Don't Know" but just wanted to say that I think there is a chance he did not write this song about Linda, but about a rough patch with Nancy. Of course I could be totally wrong.
Also, I know you hate "Fuh You" but would you like it if he had properly titled it "For You?" Is it the song itself you dislike, or the connotation that it has with the changed title? (which I dislike btw, but love the song)Yes I do dislike "Fuh You" and would never consider it a McCartney classic. I remember reading that Paul had some serious apprehensions about the song but Ryan Tedder (a producer who has had success in the Top 40 arena with some modern artists) convined him to finish the song and told Paul "Fuh You" would be a big hit. Unfortunately and imho Paul didn't adhere to his initial gut feel and put it on the proper album anyway.
It's not that I hate the song so much (it is infectious!) but it was imho beneath Paul's usuaul standards especially considering he was like 78 years old at the time. Even if Paul would have substituted the words "For You" instead of what everyone knows what it was intended to mean, the overall lyrics that he and Mr. Tedder wrote just don't say anything. Paul was just rolling the dice that Mr. Tedder was right and it would be a "hit". Unfortunately "Fuh You" became the album's 2nd "single and didn't make a dent on the charts. Worse yet, Paul continued to play it on tour and force it on the public. It took the focus off the other great songs on the album. "Happy With You" for example, is a much better song imo because Paul is saying something meaningful... that his love for Nancy totally outweighs all of his past sins. Living a clean life with Nancy and appreciating everything around you is the most important thing by far.
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toris wrote:
I fully agree with Too Much Rain, Little Lamb Dragonfly (so wonderful) and Put it There.
I will add The Back Seat of My Car.... I adore that song. It's brilliant.
Tug of War.
Beautiful Night.
And, whilst it will not be accepted so much, I think "Girlfriend" is one of the greatest "pop" songs ever written. Sits along with "Daytime Nightime Suffering" as pure pop bliss.
Lots more I need to consider.... but one step at a time.
I'm sure there is a lot more out there!
I'll Get Back.
Great choices Toris and especially Tug of War (the song), and Beautiful Night. Tug of War (the song) is imo a tie with "Wanderlust" as being the best songs on the album Tug of War. "Beautiful Night" is one of Paul's best ballads. While I like "Back Seat of My Car" (a great closing track on Ram) I don't think it's a classic. Just my opinion but still love the song.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
B J, I won't quote your long post about "I Don't Know" but just wanted to say that I think there is a chance he did not write this song about Linda, but about a rough patch with Nancy. Of course I could be totally wrong.
Also, I know you hate "Fuh You" but would you like it if he had properly titled it "For You?" Is it the song itself you dislike, or the connotation that it has with the changed title? (which I dislike btw, but love the song)Yes I do dislike "Fuh You" and would never consider it a McCartney classic. I remember reading that Paul had some serious apprehensions about the song but Ryan Tedder (a producer who has had success in the Top 40 arena with some modern artists) convined him to finish the song and told Paul "Fuh You" would be a big hit. Unfortunately and imho Paul didn't adhere to his initial gut feel and put it on the proper album anyway.
It's not that I hate the song so much (it is infectious!) but it was imho beneath Paul's usuaul standards especially considering he was like 78 years old at the time. Even if Paul would have substituted the words "For You" instead of what everyone knows what it was intended to mean, the overall lyrics that he and Mr. Tedder wrote just don't say anything. Paul was just rolling the dice that Mr. Tedder was right and it would be a "hit". Unfortunately "Fuh You" became the album's 2nd "single and didn't make a dent on the charts. Worse yet, Paul continued to play it on tour and force it on the public. It took the focus off the other great songs on the album. "Happy With You" for example, is a much better song imo because Paul is saying something meaningful... that his love for Nancy totally outweighs all of his past sins. Living a clean life with Nancy and appreciating everything around you is the most important thing by far.
What do you mean "put it on the proper album anyway?" It's on the album. Did you mean to write "put it on the album properly?" And I disagree with you that Paul initially intended it to be f**k you. He wrote the words "for you" but when he sang it, Ryan Tedder noticed how it sounded like "Fuh You" and suggested they change the title and wording and make it a double entendre. Paul should have said No!
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Nancy R wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
B J, I won't quote your long post about "I Don't Know" but just wanted to say that I think there is a chance he did not write this song about Linda, but about a rough patch with Nancy. Of course I could be totally wrong.
Also, I know you hate "Fuh You" but would you like it if he had properly titled it "For You?" Is it the song itself you dislike, or the connotation that it has with the changed title? (which I dislike btw, but love the song)Yes I do dislike "Fuh You" and would never consider it a McCartney classic. I remember reading that Paul had some serious apprehensions about the song but Ryan Tedder (a producer who has had success in the Top 40 arena with some modern artists) convined him to finish the song and told Paul "Fuh You" would be a big hit. Unfortunately and imho Paul didn't adhere to his initial gut feel and put it on the proper album anyway.
It's not that I hate the song so much (it is infectious!) but it was imho beneath Paul's usuaul standards especially considering he was like 78 years old at the time. Even if Paul would have substituted the words "For You" instead of what everyone knows what it was intended to mean, the overall lyrics that he and Mr. Tedder wrote just don't say anything. Paul was just rolling the dice that Mr. Tedder was right and it would be a "hit". Unfortunately "Fuh You" became the album's 2nd "single and didn't make a dent on the charts. Worse yet, Paul continued to play it on tour and force it on the public. It took the focus off the other great songs on the album. "Happy With You" for example, is a much better song imo because Paul is saying something meaningful... that his love for Nancy totally outweighs all of his past sins. Living a clean life with Nancy and appreciating everything around you is the most important thing by far.
What do you mean "put it on the proper album anyway?" It's on the album. Did you mean to write "put it on the album properly?" And I disagree with you that Paul initially intended it to be f**k you. He wrote the words "for you" but when he sang it, Ryan Tedder noticed how it sounded like "Fuh You" and suggested they change the title and wording and make it a double entendre. Paul should have said No!
Thanks Nancy. You are right that Paul should have said "NO" on Ryan Tedder's idea of changing the title to Fuh You. And Yes it is on the album. I know because it was the only Egypt Station song that I regularly skipped because the next grroup of songs (starting with "Confidante") were so great. We're going off the topic here so anyway I appreciate your imput.
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Sorry folks. I shouldn't have brought up "Fuh You" because I realize it's controversial. I also realize that sometimes a beat or melody on a song is so good that it overpowers the lyrics. It makes the lyrics very secondary to the point that the listener doesn't care what the writer is saying. Songs like Girlfriend or So Bad (from Pipes of Peace) have mushy or cheesy lyrics. But the lyrics don't matter...they become "hits"or at least popular anyway. That's true for the whole "Rock and Roll" genre in many cases.
On this thread I was more going for intelligent lyrics coupled with a great melody. For the most part the songs chosen had both qualities and that is why they eventually become "classics".
I know I'm taking a chance, but the next song I am choosing comes from McCartney 3. I also realize that not everyone loves Paul's latest album. And don't worry...I'm not going to nominate Deep Deep Feeling which I actually like despite the cheesy lyrics.
My choice is "Seize the Day" from McCartney 3.
I loved the song almost immediately when I heard it. Love the lyrics and espeially the chorus. The Bridge is pretty great too.
(Chorus)
When; the cold days come
And the old ways fade away
There'll be no more sun
And we'll wish that we had
Held on to the Day
Seize the Day
Seize the Day
(Bridge)
I bless the Day when you came into my life
And I could finally roll back the blind
You helped me realize love was the greatest prize
I only had to open my mind
Seize the Day
_________________________________________________________-
Who said that McCartney couldn't write lyrics?
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B J Conlee wrote:
Sorry folks. I shouldn't have brought up "Fuh You" because I realize it's controversial. I also realize that sometimes a beat or melody on a song is so good that it overpowers the lyrics. It makes the lyrics very secondary to the point that the listener doesn't care what the writer is saying. Songs like Girlfriend or So Bad (from Pipes of Peace) have mushy or cheesy lyrics. But the lyrics don't matter...they become "hits"or at least popular anyway. That's true for the whole "Rock and Roll" genre in many cases.
On this thread I was more going for intelligent lyrics coupled with a great melody. For the most part the songs chosen had both qualities and that is why they eventually become "classics".
I know I'm taking a chance, but the next song I am choosing comes from McCartney 3. I also realize that not everyone loves Paul's latest album. And don't worry...I'm not going to nominate Deep Deep Feeling which I actually like despite the cheesy lyrics.
My choice is "Seize the Day" from McCartney 3.
I loved the song almost immediately when I heard it. Love the lyrics and espeially the chorus. The Bridge is pretty great too.
(Chorus)
When; the cold days come
And the old ways fade away
There'll be no more sun
And we'll wish that we had
Held on to the Day
Seize the Day
Seize the Day
(Bridge)
I bless the Day when you came into my life
And I could finally roll back the blind
You helped me realize love was the greatest prize
I only had to open my mind
Seize the Day
_________________________________________________________-
Who said that McCartney couldn't write lyrics?
I love Seize the Day, and think it deserves a lot more attention, but in my opinion The Kiss of Venus is the "classic" from McCartney 3.
I think it and most of the other songs being listed in this thread would definitely fit it on a Beatles album if they had been written at the time.
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Mull of Kintyre is an absolute classic. Certainly in the eyes of the UK and Australia. Huge seller.
Still think it is far underrated in the U.S.A
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McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Sorry folks. I shouldn't have brought up "Fuh You" because I realize it's controversial. I also realize that sometimes a beat or melody on a song is so good that it overpowers the lyrics. It makes the lyrics very secondary to the point that the listener doesn't care what the writer is saying. Songs like Girlfriend or So Bad (from Pipes of Peace) have mushy or cheesy lyrics. But the lyrics don't matter...they become "hits"or at least popular anyway. That's true for the whole "Rock and Roll" genre in many cases.
On this thread I was more going for intelligent lyrics coupled with a great melody. For the most part the songs chosen had both qualities and that is why they eventually become "classics".
I know I'm taking a chance, but the next song I am choosing comes from McCartney 3. I also realize that not everyone loves Paul's latest album. And don't worry...I'm not going to nominate Deep Deep Feeling which I actually like despite the cheesy lyrics.
My choice is "Seize the Day" from McCartney 3.
I loved the song almost immediately when I heard it. Love the lyrics and espeially the chorus. The Bridge is pretty great too.
(Chorus)
When; the cold days come
And the old ways fade away
There'll be no more sun
And we'll wish that we had
Held on to the Day
Seize the Day
Seize the Day
(Bridge)
I bless the Day when you came into my life
And I could finally roll back the blind
You helped me realize love was the greatest prize
I only had to open my mind
Seize the Day
_________________________________________________________-
Who said that McCartney couldn't write lyrics?
I love Seize the Day, and think it deserves a lot more attention, but in my opinion The Kiss of Venus is the "classic" from McCartney 3.
I think it and most of the other songs being listed in this thread would definitely fit it on a Beatles album if they had been written at the time.
Love "Kiss of Venus" too McCall. I think "Find My Way, and Slidin" are great also and will be more widely known along with Seize the Day and KIss of Venus.
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toris wrote:
Mull of Kintyre is an absolute classic. Certainly in the eyes of the UK and Australia. Huge seller.
Still think it is far underrated in the U.S.A
Absolutely Toris. I've seen Paul like 10 times (Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Washington DC) and unfortunately never heard "Mull of Kintyre" live. Great lyrics too. It's a song that i think Paul can still sing well to this day. I've seen video's of Paul and Band doing it in Vancouver as late as 2015 (maybe even 2017) and he nailed the vocal. You are so right...Paul seemed to only bring it out in the UK or Canada.
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Going back to the early 70's, another great song that gets overlooked is:
Single Pigeon from Red Rose Speedway
"Single Pigeon through the railing
Did she throw you out
Sunday morning fight about Saturday night
Single seagull gliding over
Regent's Park canal
Do you need a pal for a minute or two, you do?
_______________________________________________
Great little piano ballad and Linda harmonizes great with Paul too. Should be much better known.
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B J Conlee wrote:
toris wrote:
Mull of Kintyre is an absolute classic. Certainly in the eyes of the UK and Australia. Huge seller.
Still think it is far underrated in the U.S.A
Absolutely Toris. I've seen Paul like 10 times (Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Washington DC) and unfortunately never heard "Mull of Kintyre" live. Great lyrics too. It's a song that i think Paul can still sing well to this day. I've seen video's of Paul and Band doing it in Vancouver as late as 2015 (maybe even 2017) and he nailed the vocal. You are so right...Paul seemed to only bring it out in the UK or Canada.
2017 Concert in Australia.... Melbourne... Paul playing the three or four chord brilliant song... and then out comes the band with the bagpipes... only Paul could've made bagpipes "sexy"... another example of his brilliance.
