Paul McCartney | wINGS - Complete Artist Review

Complete Artist Review after reviewing every album. Here you will find an overview of Paul McCartney and Wings as well as my personal rankings of all of their records. You will also find my Top 10 Songs as well as a link to an Essentials/Favorites Playlist in this pages 1st photo

As close as you can get to a true and perfect five-star rating, Paul McCartney has proven over the last 60+ years that he deserves to be in the argument for the greatest songwriter in the history of popular music. The influence that Paul McCartney has had on the world is second to none, and he deserves to be forever preserved and immortalized in the history books. McCartney exemplified his masterclass of songwriting, singing, and performing decade after decade.

From the popularization of pop-rock music with The Beatles to the mighty and influential band that was Wings, to his unrivaled and incredible solo career, McCartney’s longevity comes from his ability to create timeless music. Across all decades and generations, Paul McCartney knows how to do what he does best. He does it because this is what he loves to do. After more than half a century, Paul has accumulated enough wealth, enough popularity, enough honors, and enough recognition, but he keeps going because he loves nothing more than to create music and art, and we love nothing more than to sit back and enjoy it.

Paul McCartney | Wings

Every record from Paul McCartney has something great on it. There are only very few records that have just a few great things, while the vast majority of them are amazing. Starting in 1970, Paul’s first solo album, McCartney, was recorded during the breakup of The Beatles. It is a raw, homemade collection that reflects a period of transition and personal exploration. The following year, RAM was released. RAM is a whimsical and eclectic record that initially received mixed reviews but has since been re-evaluated as one of Paul’s best works. Maybe a little self-indulgent, but RAM ticks a lot of boxes.

That same year came the debut album by Wings, Wild Life, featuring a raw, unpolished sound that sets the stage for the band’s future direction. It controversially made it on my No Skip Album list, but I stand by it. Where does it fall within the rankings, though? Higher than you’d think? Lower? Does it surpass 1973’s Red Rose Speedway? That being a lush, melodic record that includes the hit single My Love. Red Rose Speedway showcases a softer, more romantic side of McCartney and solidifies Wings’ commercial success. But it isn’t until Band On The Run came out that same year that McCartney truly hit his stride with Wings. Widely regarded as Paul McCartney and Wings' magnum opus, this album features iconic tracks such as Band On The Run, Jet, and Let Me Roll It. It represents a peak in McCartney’s post-Beatles career, both critically and commercially.

Following the success of Band on the Run, Venus and Mars continues Wings’ streak of commercial success with classics like Listen to What the Man Said and Rock Show. It’s a cohesive record that expands McCartney’s musical horizons, but personally lets down a bit. But, with a take possibly more controversial than mine on Wild Life, in comes my personal favorite in 1976’s Wings At The Speed Of Sound. This record includes contributions from other band members, offering a diverse mix of styles. It showcases McCartney's ability to craft catchy, engaging pop songs as well as blow the socks off of cool-minded individuals.

The penultimate record from Wings in 1978 was London Town. The record blends soft, folk-like rock with McCartney’s signature melodies. It marks a period of change for Wings, reflecting a more mellow and introspective sound. Lastly, in 1979 was Back To The Egg, an underrated gem that mixes slight punk energy with McCartney's melodic craftsmanship. Back To The Egg ends Wings’ run on a high note, with tracks like Getting Closer and Arrow Through Me demonstrating the group’s versatility and willingness to experiment.

Come 1980, we find McCartney and Wings going separate ways. McCartney II was the solo effort that delves into the up-and-coming electronic music trend, featuring tracks like Coming Up and sadly… Temporary Secretary. This record again showed McCartney’s willingness to explore new sounds and push boundaries. Although, was it too much?

The “band” got back together in 1982 with Tug Of War, produced by the incomparable George Martin. This record features duets with Stevie Wonder and Carl Perkins. With tracks like Ebony and Ivory and Take It Away, it blends pop sensibilities with mature, reflective songwriting, easily making itself a contender for McCartney’s best comeback record. The following year, Tug Of War’s younger sibling, Pipes of Peace, was released. Featuring collaborations with Michael Jackson, this album included hits like Say Say Say. It’s a polished, pop-oriented record that continues McCartney’s exploration of diverse musical styles while thematically staying close to what made Tug Of War work so well.

The 1980s began to get the best of Paul when he released Press To Play in 1986. An experimental record that mixed 80s synth-pop with McCartney’s signature songwriting. While not universally loved, some tracks offer interesting glimpses into his evolving style and what was inspiring him creatively at the time. After messing around and straying far from what got Paul into making music in the first place, he released CHOBA B CCCP in 1988, which was a collection of rock and roll covers, originally released in the Soviet Union. It’s a fun, energetic record that pays tribute to McCartney’s musical roots and showcases his love for the genre.

But everyone now is questioning whether or not Paul McCartney is finished. Has he given all that he can to the music world? Does he have any fresh ideas to offer in a constantly evolving musical landscape? Well, a late-80s triumph featuring collaborations with Elvis Costello catapulted Paul right back into the spotlight. With his absolute best comeback record, Flowers In The Dirt delivers some of his best music. With songs like My Brave Face and You Want Her Too highlighting McCartney’s knack for catchy, sophisticated pop songs while marking an unquestionable return to form.

McCartney manages to keep a good bit of this momentum going with 1993’s Off The Ground. A solid record with tracks like Hope of Deliverance and Peace in the Neighbourhood. This record is cohesive and well-produced, and frankly, often underrated by many listeners.

Inspired by The Beatles Anthology project, 1997’s Flaming Pie features a critical and commercial return to form. Enlisting help from Ringo Starr, Steve Miller, and ELO’s Jeff Lynne, tracks like The World Tonight and If You Wanna prove Paul and company got a lot of gas left in their tank. The record is a mix of nostalgia and contemporary sounds.

But, the end of the 20th century was a tough one for Paul, who tragically lost his wife Linda to illness. In the coming years, Paul utilized music as his own personal therapy. In 1999, he and a bunch of his friends got in a studio to record Run Devil Run, a cover album featuring rock and roll classics. It’s a high-energy, joyful collection that showcases McCartney’s love for the genre and his ability to breathe new life into old favorites in what ended up being a therapeutic comfort record for him.

At the turn of the century, Paul still finds himself reflecting on personal loss, but also new love. 2001’s Driving Rain features tracks like From a Lover to a Friend and Your Loving Flame, capturing McCartney’s journey through his own emotions during a period of change. During this time, Paul started showing a greater sense of maturity in his music. This carries into Chaos and Creation in the Backyard in 2005, where introspective lyrics and minimalist production on tracks like Jenny Wren and Riding to Vanity Fair received much critical acclaim.

In 2007, Paul partnered up with Starbucks to release Memory Almost Full, an eclectic mix of nostalgic and forward-looking songs. Dance Tonight and Ever Present Past are highlights that reflect McCartney’s enduring creativity and ability to stay relevant by showing he has got that poppy X-Factor still in there.

A collection of jazz and easy listening standards was released next in 2012 on Kisses On The Bottom. The record features gentle, intimate renditions of the music his parents grew up with. This record is a departure from his usual style, but in 2013 with his release of NEW, Paul confidently shows the world he is nowhere near finished. NEW has modern production and a fresh sound. While staying true to his pop-rock sensibilities, he ventures out into many different and dynamic routes.

Surely, Paul has to be running out of ideas by now? Nope. The year of 2018 came with Egypt Station; a modern classic that proves McCartney still has plenty to say. Tracks like I Don't Know and Come On to Me blend contemporary production with classic McCartney melodies, showcasing his continued relevance in the music industry.

That relevance lasts all the way through the COVID-19 pandemic as well. In 2020, Paul recorded McCartney III during the COVID-19 lockdown, and this album is a true solo effort that reflects McCartney’s everlasting creativity. McCartney III is a journey through the depths of isolation and introspection. While it may not soar to the heights of his most revered works, it definitely stands as one of Paul’s most experimental records to date. But that’s not the latest of his experiments. A reimagined version of McCartney III titled McCartney III Imagined features a variety of artists putting their own spin on McCartney’s tracks. Paul collaborates with artists, like Beck, St. Vincent, and Dominic Fike, offering fresh, inventive takes on the original songs, showcasing the timelessness and adaptability of McCartney’s music.

This comprehensive overview of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles albums captures the evolution of his music, highlighting the diversity and depth of his solo career and his work with Wings. From raw, home-recorded beginnings to polished, critically acclaimed masterpieces, McCartney's body of work is a testament to his enduring talent and passion for music.

But now, let us give the people what they want ... Some good ole rankings!

Wings Album Rankings

  1. Wings At The Speed Of Sound (1976)

  2. Red Rose Speedway (1973)

  3. Band On The Run (1973)

  4. London Town (1978)

  5. Back To The Egg (1979)

  6. Wild Life (1971)

  7. Venus And Mars (1975)

Paul McCartney Albums Ranked

  1. Flowers In The Dirt (1989)

  2. Tug Of War (1982)

  3. NEW (2013)

  4. Flaming Pie (1997)

  5. RAM (1971)

  6. Pipes Of Peace (1983)

  7. Paul McCartney Unplugged (1991)

  8. Egypt Station (2018)

  9. Off The Ground (1993)

  10. Memory Almost Full (2007)

  11. McCartney (1970)

  12. Driving Rain (2001)

  13. Chaos and Creation In the Backyard (2005)

  14. Give My Regards To Broadstreet (1984)

  15. Kisses On The Bottom (2012)

  16. CHOBA B CCCP (1988)

  17. Run Devil Run (1999)

  18. Press To Play (1986)

  19. McCartney III Imagined (2021)

  20. McCartney III (2020)

  21. McCartney II (1980)

Combined Rankings

  1. Wings At The Speed Of Sound (1976)

  2. Flowers In The Dirt (1989)

  3. Red Rose Speedway (1973)

  4. Band On The Run (1973)

  5. Tug Of War (1982)

  6. NEW (2013)

  7. Flaming Pie (1997)

  8. RAM (1971)

  9. Pipes Of Peace (1983)

  10. London Town (1978)

  11. Back To The Egg (1979)

  12. Paul McCartney Unplugged (1991)

  13. Egypt Station (2018)

  14. Off The Ground (1993)

  15. Memory Almost Full (2007)

  16. McCartney (1970)

  17. Wild Life (1971)

  18. Driving Rain (2001)

  19. Venus And Mars (1975)

  20. Chaos and Creation In the Backyard (2005)

  21. Give My Regards To Broadstreet (1984)

  22. Kisses On The Bottom (2012)

  23. CHOBA B CCCP (1988)

  24. Run Devil Run (1999)

  25. Press To Play (1986)

  26. McCartney III Imagined (2021)

  27. McCartney III (2020)

  28. McCartney II (1980)

Honorable Mentions

  1. Wings Over America (1976)

  2. Tripping The Live Fantastic (1990)

  3. Paul is Live (1993)

  4. Back In the World (2002)

  5. Twin Freaks (2005)

Top 10 Songs

In No Particular Order

  1. You Want Her Too (Flowers In The Dirt)

  2. Maybe I’m Amazed (McCartney)

  3. Save Us (NEW)

  4. One More Kiss (Red Rose Speedway)

  5. Say Say Say (Pipes of Peace)

  6. Band On The Run (Band On The Run)

  7. My Love (Red Rose Speedway)

  8. Getting Closer (Back to the Egg)

  9. Deliver Your Children (London Town)

  10. Wino Junko (Wings At The Speed of Sound)

  11. The Back Seat of My Car (RAM)

Top 10 Underrated Songs

In No Particular Order

  1. Off The Ground (Off The Ground)

  2. What’s That You’re Doing (Tug Of War)

  3. Mrs. Vandebilt (Band On The Run)

  4. Jenny Wren (Chaos and Creation In the Backyard)

  5. From a Lover to a Friend (Driving Rain)

  6. Despite Repeated Warnings (Egypt Station)

  7. Cafe On The Left Bank (London Town)

  8. Heaven On A Sunday (Flaming Pie)

  9. Some People Never Know (Wild Life)

  10. San Ferry Anne (Wings At The Speed Of Sound)

  11. Calico Skies (Flaming Pie)

I am well aware that was 11 songs on both lists. I couldn’t kick any out.

I spent a lot of time deliberating the order of the records above, but I believe I got it right. Of course, I welcome spirited debate to these rankings. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this arrangement of the albums, just as long as at the end of the day we all understand that my list is the only correct list. Obviously.

Many online reviews and forums don’t care for Wings At The Speed Of Sound and I will defend that record till the end of time. It is a top-tier masterclass record and if you disagree then you should know that I have already informed the police and they are on their way to arrest you for your crimes of crumby music taste. I hope it was worth it.

I know Paul McCartney is getting older and older, and the day he passes will absolutely destroy me emotionally, but I hope he continues to create art for us for many more years to come. No one does it like he does and no one has done it as consistently well for as long as he has. Paul McCartney is without a doubt in my Top Five artists of all time and absolutely has to be in history's Top Five most influential artists of all time. Paul will live on forever. After every passing generation, McCartney’s music will live on. Maybe one day we can all fulfill his dream of love and peace in the world. What’s wrong with that?

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