Music fans know Paul McCartney was the co-lead singer and co-lead songwriter for perhaps the greatest rock band of all time, The Beatles. For the Liverpool, England-born artist, being part of the former mop-top quartet earned him iconic status in music and global pop culture. Truly, the group will never be forgotten.
But his music career also did not end when The Beatles broke up in 1970. McCartney went on to write and record hundreds of more songs, some of which have staying power and have since stood the test of time. Here below, we wanted to explore three such songs. Three tracks that will stay on the radio airwaves for eternity.
“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney from McCartney (1970)
Never released as a single, a live version of this song was released in 1977 when Paul McCartney performed it with this then-band Wings. Written in 1969 before The Beatles disbanded, McCartney held on to this one and put it on his self-titled debut solo studio LP in 1970. On the original recording, McCartney played all the instruments. And on the piano-driven track, which certainly sounds like it could have landed on an album like Let It Be, he sings beautifully,
Maybe I’m amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I’m afraid of the way I love you
Maybe I’m amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
Hung me on a line
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you
“Live and Let Die” by Wings from Live and Let Die (1973)
The title song to the 1973 James Bond movie, this song recorded by Wings, which he founded with his wife Linda, featured production by the former Beatles producer George Martin. The tune is about what happens in your mind as you age. First it was “live and let live” but then a jaded anger can set in and change your philosophy. On the ominous track, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, McCartney sings,
When you were young and your heart
Was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
(You know you did)
But if this ever changin’ world
In which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
“Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (1979)
One of the most beloved Christmas songs today, this simple offering from the former Beatle is often heard on the radio around every December 25. The song was released as a standalone single in 1979 after Wings released its final LP Back to the Egg. And on the slightly spooky holiday offering, McCartney sings,
The mood is right
The spirit’s up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
The party’s on
The feeling’s here
That only comes
This time of year
