10 Paul McCartney Songs Only Real Die-Hard Fans Know

In terms of the number of hits, Paul McCartney has been at it longer than anyone in the industry. From his time with The Beatles to his solo work, Paul could compose a beautiful song with the same ease as brewing a cup of tea. Not all his jewels have caught the eye of the public, though. Even though McCartney has had more chart-topping albums than he knows what to do with, these tracks have rarely received any attention. Just 10 of them are listed here.

 

“Monkberry Moon Delight” – RAM (1971)

RAM was a forerunner of the style of indie rock that would come to dominate the music industry in the following decade. Even though this album has some fantastic classics, it does not go any crazier than “Monkberry Moon Delight” in any way.

“You Gave Me The Answer” – Venus and Mars (1975)

With “You Gave Me the Answer,” Venus and Mars took their audience to the Roaring Twenties. McCartney starts this love ballad with some noises reminiscent of a record player being turned on and then breaks out a piano in the honky-tonk manner.

“I’m Carrying” – London Town (1978)

During a boat trip through the Virgin Islands, the band wrote most of the songs that would end up in London Town. McCartney’s whole catalog is indeed permeated with a laid-back air, but “I’m Carrying” is as genuine as it gets.

“Waterfalls” – McCartney II (1980)

The song “Waterfalls” is wonderfully understated. In this song, McCartney comes across as disturbing, as seen by his use of synthesizer strings throughout most of the piece. He warns his beloved to be careful while they are out in the wild and expresses his need for love even if she is not with him.

“Ballroom Dancing” – Tug Of War (1982)

This is easily one of Macca’s most upbeat tunes ever. With McCartney breaking wild on the piano and his vocals à la Little Richard, the song has a vintage swagger.

“My Brave Face” – Flowers In The Dirt (1989)

Even though “My Brave Face” was buried in ‘80s production on the CD that we got, the actual brilliance was caught on the demo. This duet, played just on acoustic guitars, features McCartney and Elvis Costello singing about the love that we all want.

“Calico Skies” – Flaming Pie (1997)

When Paul McCartney is playing an acoustic guitar, he always produces some of his most impressive work. Arguably, this is one of the most beautiful love songs that Paul McCartney has ever written that was not released by The Beatles.

“Jenny Wren” – Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005)

Like “Lady Madonna” and “Another Day,” McCartney’s acoustic guitar performance of “Jenny Wren” is a tale song. McCartney’s use of an exotic-sounding solo on the Armenian woodwind instrument duduk shows that he is constantly experimenting even in his older years.

“Only Mama Knows” – Memory Almost Full (2007)

Starting with strings that sound like they’re sighing; McCartney’s vocals are much rougher than you’d expect for someone his age. He then puts on an electric guitar and gets to work.

“Happy With You” – Egypt Station (2018)

One of McCartney’s most sincere works, “Happy With You” can be found on his album Egypt Station. In taking stock of his life, McCartney admits to being stoned all day in the ‘70s and to lying to his doctor about the troubles he was covertly facing in this song.