"There's more than "hits?"" [1970-1982]

A number of blogs I check regularly have recently posted homemade Paul McCartney compilations.  While always fun to look at, they inevitably invite "why is/isn't this song..." arguments.  


Ten years ago, when CD burning was just coming into vogue, I made a trio of discs which I referred to as "McCartney's Hidden Gems."  The purpose was to illuminate some of Sir Paul's better, yet overlooked, work: basically really good album tracks.


Music is such a wonderfully subjective thing.  You might hate what I like.  I might hate what you like.  With that in mind, I tend to come down on the side of Paul's more melodic stuff.  If you lean similarly, you might enjoy this list as well.


This list will chronologically detail what I consider to be his best "non-hits."  I will cover his entire discography, excepting his classical, live and ambient work.  I hope this list helps at least one person find some "hidden gems" from Macca that they can enjoy.  I will try to list no more than four from each album: some merit more, others less. 


1970.  McCartney.


Everybody knows:  Maybe I'm Amazed.


What you should know:  Hot As Sun, Every Night, Junk, Teddy Boy and Oo You.


Comment:  Released while the Beatles crumbled, Mac played all the instruments on his first solo album.  Many of the tunes were rehearsed during the Beatles last year and they sound like it: tuneful, concise, catchy pop songs.  I love this record. A very logical follow-up after being in a fairly successful band that nobody could top.


1971.  Ram.


Everybody knows: Another Day [single released from the sessions], Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey


What you should know:  Too Many People, Ram On, Monkberry Moon Delight, and Dear Boy.

Comment:  Returning to a band setting, Paul naturally sounds melodic as ever, but doesn't quite have the same caliber of bandmates to bounce ideas off of.  It shows.


1971.  Wild Life.


Everybody knows:  maybe nothing, this one kinda slipped under the radar.


What you should know:  Wild Life, Tomorrow, and Dear Friend


Comment:  It's not a bad album, but very few of the tracks would have made the cut on a Beatles release.  A bit more listless than we'd like to expect from Sir Paul.


1973.  Red Rose Speedway.


Everybody knows:  My Love, Live And Let Die [not from the album, but released around the time]
What you should know:  Big Barn Red, One More Kiss, When The Night, and Medley [which closes the album].


Comment:  Pretty but somewhat shallow.  Mac was gathering his footing and consolidating his strengths.  Keen observers could sense him building up to something.  Well, in hindsight they could.


1973.  Band On The Run.


Everybody knows:  Band On The Run, Jet, Helen Wheels [non-album track]

What you should know:  Bluebird, Mrs. Vandebilt, Let Me Roll It, No Words, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five, and Country Dreamer [non-album track].

Comment:  Jackpot.  Universally regarded as Paul's best album, there really isn't a weak track among the bunch.  Very fun to listen to, in particular the title track, which he never quite nailed in concert.

1975.  Venus And Mars.

Everybody knows:  Listen To What The Man Said, Venus And Mars/Rockshow, perhaps Letting Go

What you should know:  You Gave Me The Answer, Medicine Jar, and Call Me Back Again

Comment:  Similar to his first album in that it's tough to follow a classic.  I've always found this one a bit overrated, but it's still a good listen.

1976.  Wings At The Speed Of Sound.

Everybody knows:  Silly Love Songs, Let 'Em In

What you should know:  She's My Baby, Beware My Love, and San Ferry Anne

Comment:  Tuneful, but the decision to let all band members take a lead vocal wasn't wise--and it never happened again.  Points off for "Cook Of The House," which helped make this just an average release.

1978.  London Town.

Everybody knows:  With A Little Luck, perhaps London Town or I've Had Enough

What you should know:  Cuff Link and Name And Address

Comment:  Very mediocre.  Consistently better than its' predecessor but lacking the high points.

1979.  Back To The Egg.

Everybody knows:  Arrow Through Me, Getting Closer, Rockestra Theme

What you should know:  Old Siam Sir, Again And Again And Again, Winter Rose/Love Awake, and Baby's Request

Comment:  The final Wings album, this was his sharpest set of tunes since Band On The Run.  It didn't sell well, but I consider it sort of underrated.

1980.  McCartney II

Everybody knows:  Coming Up

What you should know:  On The Way, Frozen Jap and One Of These Days

Comment:  Similar to his first self-titled album in that he played all the instruments, but lacking the fistful of quality songs leftover from that other group he played in.  Not Wings.

1982.  Tug Of War.

Everybody knows:  Ebony And Ivory, Take It Away, and probably Tug Of War

What you should know:  Somebody Who Cares, What's That You're Doing, Here Today, Ballroom Dancing and Wanderlust

Comment:  A great album.  Paul plays better with better players [Stevie Wonder, Carl Perkins, Ringo and George Martin all make appearances].   There's a nice feeling of space in all theses tracks.