Some Paul Solo Songs that Should Be Classics and Far Better Known
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Since Macca didn't include any songs from Flowers in the Dirt on his last Compilation (Pure McCartney) I would like to nominate 2 more "Flowers in the Dirt" songs. Both are definite "classics" imho. Both songs have that instant Paul McCartney melody and they have great lyrics. Here they are:
"This One" from Flowers in the Dirt
"My Brave Face" from Flowers in the Dirt
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No doubt they are "classics" in my mind. Thank God Paul played both of them on his subsequent "Flowers in the Dirt" tour back in 1989.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Since Macca didn't include any songs from Flowers in the Dirt on his last Compilation (Pure McCartney) I would like to nominate 2 more "Flowers in the Dirt" songs. Both are definite "classics" imho. Both songs have that instant Paul McCartney melody and they have great lyrics. Here they are:
"This One" from Flowers in the Dirt
"My Brave Face" from Flowers in the Dirt
___________________________________________________________________________________
No doubt they are "classics" in my mind. Thank God Paul played both of them on his subsequent "Flowers in the Dirt" tour back in 1989.
I actually was a bit surprised that "My Brave Face" was not a big hit single. It is great uptempo song that sounds like something McCartney would have written as a Beatle and perfect for the radio stations. I love it lyrically especially the line "I've been hitting the town and it didn't hit back" -lol. In addition, he played it live so it got some exposure to people and the media. I think the one mistake McCartney made is he never did "My Brave Face" on another tour. He needed to play this song and some others for a couple of tours to help them get the attention they deserve.
"This One" is just another excellent song from FITD and I loved it live and good choice. Having no songs from FITD on "Pure McCartney" showed how pathetic the effort was for that compliation. I don't want to hear the BS that songs from FITD were left off "Pure McCartney" due to the upcoming re-issue of FITD. If you are going to do a career compliation, do it properly and with some real thought !!
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So true Yankeefan about "My Brave Face" and "This One".
How are you feeling today and when did you have your Moderna or Pfizer Vaccines? We had both Moderna shots in March so maybe we could have their Booster Shot as early as September if it is available. Worse case scenario, maybe we could get the Booster shot this Fall or Winter in time for our 2022 Summer trips. That's our hope at this point. I guess it all depends on availability.
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B J Conlee wrote:
So true Yankeefan about "My Brave Face" and "This One".
How are you feeling today and when did you have your Moderna or Pfizer Vaccines? We had both Moderna shots in March so maybe we could have their Booster Shot as early as September if it is available. Worse case scenario, maybe we could get the Booster shot this Fall or Winter in time for our 2022 Summer trips. That's our hope at this point. I guess it all depends on availability.
My cold symptoms have gotten better but I still have no appetite and energy level is low. Can't make it through the day without a couple of naps - lol. My wife and I both got Pzier vaccine, she was fully vaccinated at the end of January, I was fully vaccinated by the end of February. Having COVID I would think I might not need a booster but will check into it for sure, Anybody else who has info please let us all know. BTW - I replied to your PM.
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It is tough for me to stand back and try and guess or please the "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Band On The Run" fan only.
I want to pick many many ... even with casual lyrics that fit the song because we listened to it that way ... taking we out of it ... I played these until I wore out the record, tape, CD or choice of media.
I am also agreeing with the ones put forth...I can wait another day, until I call you.
No More Lonely Nights.
Now I feel like I am asking and Not putting it there.Another Day was played well on the Radio and he did it in concert ... that is up there as probably known, but I just had to say it.
"Junk" has been in movies and was done unplugged. The Maybe I'm Amazed fan might not know it is on the same Album. (McCartney). Good acoustic guitar and poetry in song.
Put It There has that good song poetry / story feel.
Love In Song gets overlooked, but well worth a stop and listen.
In a concert fantasy Paul could do a different show every night with different songs thrown in there and not run out of material for years. I don't know how well the "Band On The Run " fan would adapt.
I am getting into concert talk. The classics or should be better knowns are many.
I am disappointed when they put out 4 to 5 different albums because of different bonus tracks. Since I don't buy them all. I feel like the "Maybe I'm Amazed " fan.
There are many that could be rotated on the "Air" but they have a formula format. Oh well. Lots of words.perhaps I should say... No Words.
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The_Fool wrote:
It is tough for me to stand back and try and guess or please the "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Band On The Run" fan only.
I want to pick many many ... even with casual lyrics that fit the song because we listened to it that way ... taking we out of it ... I played these until I wore out the record, tape, CD or choice of media.
I am also agreeing with the ones put forth...I can wait another day, until I call you.
No More Lonely Nights.
Now I feel like I am asking and Not putting it there.Another Day was played well on the Radio and he did it in concert ... that is up there as probably known, but I just had to say it.
"Junk" has been in movies and was done unplugged. The Maybe I'm Amazed fan might not know it is on the same Album. (McCartney). Good acoustic guitar and poetry in song.
Put It There has that good song poetry / story feel.
Love In Song gets overlooked, but well worth a stop and listen.
In a concert fantasy Paul could do a different show every night with different songs thrown in there and not run out of material for years. I don't know how well the "Band On The Run " fan would adapt.
I am getting into concert talk. The classics or should be better knowns are many.
I am disappointed when they put out 4 to 5 different albums because of different bonus tracks. Since I don't buy them all. I feel like the "Maybe I'm Amazed " fan.
There are many that could be rotated on the "Air" but they have a formula format. Oh well. Lots of words.perhaps I should say... No Words.
Brilliant post!
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B J Conlee wrote:
Haven't seen Bruce on this Thread yet but I know he would agree with "The End of the End".
2 other canidates I know Bruce would agree with are:
"Confidante" from Egypt Station
"Dominoes" from Egypt Station
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Both songs have the 2 ingredients necessary to be considered "classics"...great distinctive melody and great lyrics imho.
From Egypt Station (in addition to I Don't Know), I think Confidante and Happy With You are both arguably classics. I like Dominoes a lot too, but not quite as much as some other fans seem to and there are several other songs I'd pick before it.
I agree with That Was Me as a potential hit too, it's so fun and catchy.
The End of the End is a great song, absolutely beautiful. I can't see it being a hugely popular "hit" kind of song because its subject matter is so poignant, but as far as artistic quality it's a classic.
The same with Ram On, Love In Song, One of These Days, and Hosanna. I think they're classics as far as quality, but not the type of songs to be popular "hits".
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I think Bluebird and the unembellished Picasso's Last Words are Beatles-worthy.
"I Do' from Driving Rain.... great.
And... Rockshow is a classic.
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In recent times.. my faves:
I Can Bet... Dominoes... Vintage Clothes... That was me... Seize the Day... Do It Now...
Sorry, but I still find Hosanna average at best.
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I have a sneaky love for Through Our Love...the lyrics needed to be tidied up... but a very good song.
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McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Haven't seen Bruce on this Thread yet but I know he would agree with "The End of the End".
2 other canidates I know Bruce would agree with are:
"Confidante" from Egypt Station
"Dominoes" from Egypt Station
_____________________________________________________________
Both songs have the 2 ingredients necessary to be considered "classics"...great distinctive melody and great lyrics imho.
From Egypt Station (in addition to I Don't Know), I think Confidante and Happy With You are both arguably classics. I like Dominoes a lot too, but not quite as much as some other fans seem to and there are several other songs I'd pick before it.
I agree with That Was Me as a potential hit too, it's so fun and catchy.
The End of the End is a great song, absolutely beautiful. I can't see it being a hugely popular "hit" kind of song because its subject matter is so poignant, but as far as artistic quality it's a classic.
The same with Ram On, Love In Song, One of These Days, and Hosanna. I think they're classics as far as quality, but not the type of songs to be popular "hits".
McCall...I think that "HAPPY WITH YOU" from Egypt Station is a great choice. I remember when I was regularly playing Egypt Station on my car CD and there were 3-4 songs that my wife (not a Paul or Beatle's fan for the most part) would naturally sing to it. Her favorites were songs like Confidante, Dominoes, Happy With You and Hand in Hand. She loved those particular songs. "Happy With You" is sung beautifully by Paul and it has great "imagery-like" lyrics. As Paul explained, the song is about "growing up" and realizing you have so much to be thankful about right in front of you. Great song about simple things like nature and being with someone you really love.
I remember being frustrated that Macca didin't play "Happy With You" as a tribute song to Nancy on his last tour expecially during the acoustic section of the show. I think it was the "One on One" Tour in 2018 and 2019. In my mind it was the perfect type of song that was easy to do and that he never played "live". Instead he played a couple of songs that he had done many times previously.
I'm also a big fan of "Dominoes" also from Egypt Station. I remember Rob Sheffield (I think that is his name) from Rollingstone calling "Dominoes" one of Paul's best Solo songs ever. That was pretty high praise and I remember my wife singing that one every time she heard it in our car. Dominoes is a tad long but it has great lyrics and I like the ending with Rusty Anderson doing a great guitar solo. At least I think it's Rusty. Sounds like his guitar playing.
"Dominoes, Happy With You, and Confidante are all "stone-cold" classics imho.
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toris wrote:
In recent times.. my faves:
I Can Bet... Dominoes... Vintage Clothes... That was me... Seize the Day... Do It Now...
Sorry, but I still find Hosanna average at best.
Thanks Toris. I agree 100%. All of your choices above are some of my fav's too.
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The_Fool wrote:
It is tough for me to stand back and try and guess or please the "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Band On The Run" fan only.
I want to pick many many ... even with casual lyrics that fit the song because we listened to it that way ... taking we out of it ... I played these until I wore out the record, tape, CD or choice of media.
I am also agreeing with the ones put forth...I can wait another day, until I call you.
No More Lonely Nights.
Now I feel like I am asking and Not putting it there.Another Day was played well on the Radio and he did it in concert ... that is up there as probably known, but I just had to say it.
"Junk" has been in movies and was done unplugged. The Maybe I'm Amazed fan might not know it is on the same Album. (McCartney). Good acoustic guitar and poetry in song.
Put It There has that good song poetry / story feel.
Love In Song gets overlooked, but well worth a stop and listen.
In a concert fantasy Paul could do a different show every night with different songs thrown in there and not run out of material for years. I don't know how well the "Band On The Run " fan would adapt.
I am getting into concert talk. The classics or should be better knowns are many.
I am disappointed when they put out 4 to 5 different albums because of different bonus tracks. Since I don't buy them all. I feel like the "Maybe I'm Amazed " fan.
There are many that could be rotated on the "Air" but they have a formula format. Oh well. Lots of words.perhaps I should say... No Words.
I agree with Nancy. "Fool" your post is brilliant. Your last line had me laughing. "Lots of words...perhaps I should say NO WORDS". You always need a chuckle in the morning and that did it for me.
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My 2 additional candidates might be a "stretch" but I think they should be close to "classic" status. They're both from the mid 80's when Paul was getting little to no radio airplay. Neither song was on their respective original proper album's but were relegated to B-Sides unfortunately. My 2 choices are:
"TOUGH ON A TIGHTROPE from Press to Play - this is my 2nd candidate from this so "overlooked" album. It became a hidden B-side to one of the Press to Play "Singles". It's a terrific "love" song with great lyrics. It has a great chorus/bridge and it has a great guitar solo in the middle. Overall, a very good song imho. Should be far better known.
"LOVELIEST THING" - B-Side to "Figure of 8"-- Another song that should be far better known. Paul did the song with Phil Ramone as his Producer and they used a couple of Billy Joel's Band members (drumming and guitars). It's another great love song with terrific lyrics. Also has great solo guitar work in the middle and end. Like a few other songs during Paul's "down" period in the mid 80's, it definitely has "classic" potential imho.
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I could add more songs but I think I have added enough to make the point of the thread. I willl finish up with a brief discussion of the cause of this problem, see below.
- Since McCartney is not a guy anymore that willl get big radio play, you need to play these songs live and expose people to them. In addition, take a few songs and play them more than one tour. "My Brave Face" is a perfect example, it is almost crimimial that it was never performed live again after 1989/90. Treat your solo songs like a Beatle song, actually talk about it a little bit and not just toss it off with "this is a new song" line to the audience. Maybe open your show with or include solo song in one of the encores which shows the audience you think they are good songs. I am not expecting miracles but if this was done, I think you might have gotten 3 -4 more songs that everyone has listed better well known to the geneal public .
2) Selection of songs to be singles or promoted have never been a strong point by the McCartney team. For example, "Who Cares" should have been a "no brainer" early single right away. Good uptempo song with important and current message against "bullying". It would have been perfect for him to discuss with radio station DJ's. Instead we got song like "Fuh You" where most of the attention was about sexual innuendo from a man in his late 70's. (talk about being out of touch with your audience). Another example was not making the song "I Can Bet" a single from "New" instead of "Queenie Eye".
- In interviews talk about your solo career more and not just the current album. People reading or listening to your interview might actually get interested in some of these songs if you actually bring them up in an interview.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
I could add more songs but I think I have added enough to make the point of the thread. I willl finish up with a brief discussion of the cause of this problem, see below.
- Since McCartney is not a guy anymore that willl get big radio play, you need to play these songs live and expose people to them. In addition, take a few songs and play them more than one tour. "My Brave Face" is a perfect example, it is almost crimimial that it was never performed live again after 1989/90. Treat your solo songs like a Beatle song, actually talk about it a little bit and not just toss it off with "this is a new song" line to the audience. Maybe open your show with or include solo song in one of the encores which shows the audience you think they are good songs. I am not expecting miracles but if this was done, I think you might have gotten 3 -4 more songs that everyone has listed better well known to the geneal public .
2) Selection of songs to be singles or promoted have never been a strong point by the McCartney team. For example, "Who Cares" should have been a "no brainer" early single right away. Good uptempo song with important and current message against "bullying". It would have been perfect for him to discuss with radio station DJ's. Instead we got song like "Fuh You" where most of the attention was about sexual innuendo from a man in his late 70's. (talk about being out of touch with your audience). Another example was not making the song "I Can Bet" a single from "New" instead of "Queenie Eye".
- In interviews talk about your solo career more and not just the current album. People reading or listening to your interview might actually get interested in some of these songs if you actually bring them up in an interview.
Yankeefan, I only hope that Paul/ his family or other members of his team READ THIS POST. All the points are "dead on". Point 1 is the best. Why only play a great Solo song during the time it is released. Treat you great Solo songs like Beatle songs. Sprinkle them in on a regualr basis. "My Brave Face" is only one of many examples. Point 2 is also so true. Your example of "Who Cares" is PERFECT. And as you say...Talk about the song, inspiration a little bit. All these things add up because when Paul makes an interesting and poignant point about a song that's unusual in his setlist, they often become "mainstays" on Youtube with repeated listens. Point 3 is also great.
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McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Haven't seen Bruce on this Thread yet but I know he would agree with "The End of the End".
2 other canidates I know Bruce would agree with are:
"Confidante" from Egypt Station
"Dominoes" from Egypt Station
_____________________________________________________________
Both songs have the 2 ingredients necessary to be considered "classics"...great distinctive melody and great lyrics imho.
From Egypt Station (in addition to I Don't Know), I think Confidante and Happy With You are both arguably classics. I like Dominoes a lot too, but not quite as much as some other fans seem to and there are several other songs I'd pick before it.
I agree with That Was Me as a potential hit too, it's so fun and catchy.
The End of the End is a great song, absolutely beautiful. I can't see it being a hugely popular "hit" kind of song because its subject matter is so poignant, but as far as artistic quality it's a classic.
The same with Ram On, Love In Song, One of These Days, and Hosanna. I think they're classics as far as quality, but not the type of songs to be popular "hits".
Love Connfidante but Paul just doesn't have the voice for it; it's hard to listen to. I just never got Hosanna. Maybe it's me.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
I could add more songs but I think I have added enough to make the point of the thread. I willl finish up with a brief discussion of the cause of this problem, see below.
- Since McCartney is not a guy anymore that willl get big radio play, you need to play these songs live and expose people to them. In addition, take a few songs and play them more than one tour. "My Brave Face" is a perfect example, it is almost crimimial that it was never performed live again after 1989/90. Treat your solo songs like a Beatle song, actually talk about it a little bit and not just toss it off with "this is a new song" line to the audience. Maybe open your show with or include solo song in one of the encores which shows the audience you think they are good songs. I am not expecting miracles but if this was done, I think you might have gotten 3 -4 more songs that everyone has listed better well known to the geneal public .
2) Selection of songs to be singles or promoted have never been a strong point by the McCartney team. For example, "Who Cares" should have been a "no brainer" early single right away. Good uptempo song with important and current message against "bullying". It would have been perfect for him to discuss with radio station DJ's. Instead we got song like "Fuh You" where most of the attention was about sexual innuendo from a man in his late 70's. (talk about being out of touch with your audience). Another example was not making the song "I Can Bet" a single from "New" instead of "Queenie Eye".
- In interviews talk about your solo career more and not just the current album. People reading or listening to your interview might actually get interested in some of these songs if you actually bring them up in an interview.
Yankeefan, I only hope that Paul/ his family or other members of his team READ THIS POST. All the points are "dead on". Point 1 is the best. Why only play a great Solo song during the time it is released. Treat you great Solo songs like Beatle songs. Sprinkle them in on a regualr basis. "My Brave Face" is only one of many examples. Point 2 is also so true. Your example of "Who Cares" is PERFECT. And as you say...Talk about the song, inspiration a little bit. All these things add up because when Paul makes an interesting and poignant point about a song that's unusual in his setlist, they often become "mainstays" on Youtube with repeated listens. Point 3 is also great.
I believe Paul would have been better off releasing the first single from Egypt Station containing "Who Cares" and "Happy With You." Quitisential McCartney.
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"Yankeefan, I only hope that Paul/ his family or other members of his team READ THIS POST. All the points are "dead on". Point 1 is the best. Why only play a great Solo song during the time it is released. Treat you great Solo songs like Beatle songs. Sprinkle them in on a regualr basis. "My Brave Face" is only one of many examples"
Thanks BJ. McCartney should have played "My Brave Face" and another FITD on the 1993 tour. Some of the audience would have recognized it from the 1989/1990 tours and the band was the same. This is how you get audience to know and appreciate your solo work and not just Beatle/Wings hits. As you have stated, the 2002 tour was a missed opportunity for getting people to know his solo work much better. Not touring for 8 years and with brand new touring band, his setlist could have been wide open to songs from great solo albums. Sadly IMO, he took a "deep dive" into Beatle classics.
"Point 2 is also so true. Your example of "Who Cares" is PERFECT. And as you say...Talk about the song, inspiration a little bit. "
What better way to reach younger audience than to have song which is relevant to something they are dealing with personally. Lost opportunity to promote not only a great musical song but speak out on current topic.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
McCall wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Haven't seen Bruce on this Thread yet but I know he would agree with "The End of the End".
2 other canidates I know Bruce would agree with are:
"Confidante" from Egypt Station
"Dominoes" from Egypt Station
_____________________________________________________________
Both songs have the 2 ingredients necessary to be considered "classics"...great distinctive melody and great lyrics imho.
From Egypt Station (in addition to I Don't Know), I think Confidante and Happy With You are both arguably classics. I like Dominoes a lot too, but not quite as much as some other fans seem to and there are several other songs I'd pick before it.
I agree with That Was Me as a potential hit too, it's so fun and catchy.
The End of the End is a great song, absolutely beautiful. I can't see it being a hugely popular "hit" kind of song because its subject matter is so poignant, but as far as artistic quality it's a classic.
The same with Ram On, Love In Song, One of These Days, and Hosanna. I think they're classics as far as quality, but not the type of songs to be popular "hits".
Love Connfidante but Paul just doesn't have the voice for it; it's hard to listen to. I just never got Hosanna. Maybe it's me.
Hear what you're saying "4Ever"about "Confidante". On first listen, I was disappointed with Paul's vocal on parts of it. This is another reason why Paul should have had "Confidante" on the tour's Setlist. Give Paul a few more stabs at it and I'm sure he would have nailed it at one of the shows. Still, I love the music and lyrics of the song. Certainly a "classic" in my mind.
