You can’t sustain a career like Paul McCartney‘s without versatility. If he had only one trick in his bag, that would have worn thin quickly. With The Beatles, with Wings, or on his own, he has mastered both screaming rock and roll and tender balladry.
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Beyond that, there are the occasions when McCartney delves into more antiquated forms of music, some very distinct to his native Great Britain. The 2005 track “English Tea” revels in some details those in his home country could appreciate best.
Modern “English”
When it comes to his post-millennial output, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, released in 2005, just might be the best album McCartney has delivered. And that’s no faint praise, because the quality of his output has remained remarkably consistent in that time, maybe even more so than in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
The album paired him with Nigel Godrich, who came into the experience as one of the hotter producers of that era. Godrich dared to push McCartney, forcing him to rewrite songs even when the former Beatle believed they were already up to snuff.
Godrich also made an impact by convincing McCartney to record the album all on his own, rather than use his touring band in the sessions. Had he not done that, it’s hard to imagine a song like “English Tea” would have seen the light of day. It’s bathed in an old-fashioned melody that never would have made sense in a rock arrangement.
In terms of the topic, McCartney leaned into his love of all things British, as he explained in an interview from around the time of the release of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (as quoted by Beatles Bible):
“The lyrics say ‘Very twee, very me,’ and I think it is very me, that stuff. The Beatles made a sort of Englishy sort of music, once they got past their American roots, American influences. You know, a lot of our early stuff was ‘Some other guy now’ and, you know, pure soul R&B stuff that we loved (sings ‘Twist and Shout’) was directly taken from America. But then we started to sort of work in little things that were more us, and erm that kind of thing, that’s particularly me that kind of ‘English Tea’ type of thing.”
Examining the Lyrics of “English Tea”
American listeners might scratch their heads upon hearing some of the references McCartney makes in “English Tea.” But they should be able to get the gist that it’s a song where the artist is celebrating some of the peccadillos and peculiarities of his native land.
The gentility and politeness of the lyrics are quite affecting. He respectfully asks, Would you care to sit with me / For a cup of English tea? After that, he drips with benevolence as he imagines the event: What a pleasure it would be / Chatting so delightfully / Nanny bakes, fairy cakes.
McCartney manages to not only capture the English pastimes, but also the old-time language in which one might indulge to suggest them: Do you know the game croquet? Peradventure we might play. It’s an invitation of which Jane Austen would approve.
“English Tea” might drift into the realm of novelty were it not for the earnest affection McCartney shows for his surroundings in the middle eight. Miles and miles of English garden / stretching past the willow tree, he sings, and you can hear the love in his voice. When you get to the final verse and the ringing church bells, it all seems quaint and lovely.
The music, with its chirping woodwinds, helps to accentuate that feeling. John Lennon, McCartney’s old songwriting partner, used to deride songs like “English Tea” as “Granny music.” But when they’re done with as much genuine heart and tender care as this one, even the kids will love them.
Photo by Ray Garbo/Shutterstock
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