Lennon-McCartney classics like “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Ticket To Ride” are beloved for a reason. When Paul McCartney and John Lennon split their songwriting duties in The Beatles, the result was usually magic. However, McCartney’s songwriting ability stands well on its own; and these five tracks prove just how talented he is as a songwriter. Let’s take a look, shall we?
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1. “Cayenne”
This throwback instrumental track was recorded way back in 1960 when The Beatles were still known as The Quarrymen. It didn’t see the light of day until it was included in the 1995 record Anthology 1. It’s a rough, early-career gem written by McCartney that was recorded in his family bathroom during a rehearsal. It’s not the most polished Beatles work, but it was a sign of what was to come.
2. “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Lennon-McCartney classics are the best, and John Lennon’s solo career works are similarly amazing. However, McCartney was on another level with his solo work, free from the confines of being part of a band.
“Maybe I’m Amazed” from McCartney’s 1970 debut solo album is just one example of what he was able to do with all of the songwriting and producing responsibility on him alone.
3. “Temporary Secretary”
Alright, this one might be polarizing. However, I love this song. Plenty of people do, even if we aren’t in the majority. “Temporary Secretary” is a delightfully original Paul McCartney song with synth-pop and avant-garde elements that suited him perfectly.
Fun fact: McCartney performed this song live for the first time a whopping 35 years after it was released.
4. “Here Today”
Another stunning solo effort from McCartney, “Here Today” comes from his 1982 album Tug Of War. The song was written entirely by McCartney and is a tribute to his late friend, band member, and creative collaborator, John Lennon. The song was released a little less than two years after Lennon’s death in 1980.
5. “In Spite Of All The Danger”
This is another preview of what The Beatles were able to do, and it sounds like it could easily be on a list of Lennon-McCartney classics. However, the 1958 song “In Spite Of All The Danger” was written by McCartney, with George Harrison penning the guitar solo. This track was the very first one ever recorded by The Quarrymen, a.k.a. The Beatles.
Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns
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