Live and let die - Paul McCartney & Wings

One of the singles I've been after for a couple of years now is 'Live and let die', the theme song of the 1973 James Bond film of the same name. Originally, the movie's producer Harry Saltzman was interested in having Shirley Bassey or Thelma Houston perform it instead of Wings. George Martin said McCartney would allow the song to be used in the movie only if Wings was able to perform the song in the opening credits. The recording contract specified that McCartney would "perform the title song under the opening titles".

After the release of the single, it reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 in the UK singles chart. Amazingly, it only reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 7470
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2024
Tracks: 'Live and let die' / 'I lie around'

Spies like us - Paul McCartney

Spies Like Us is a 1985 American spy comedy film directed by John Landis, and starring Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Forrest, and Donna Dixon. The film presents the comic adventures of two novice intelligence agents sent to the Soviet Union. 

The title song was written and performed by Paul McCartney. The recording peaked at number 7 on US Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1986; The song was McCartney's last to reach the top ten in the USA until 2015. It also reached number 13 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7290
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 17 August 2024
Tracks: 'Spies like us' / 'My carnival'

Coming up (live at Glasgow) - Paul McCartney

In 1980 Paul McCartney released 'McCartney II', a solo album created almost entirely on his own, aided only by his wife Linda. When the album was released in the USA, it came with a free 7" single featuring one track: a live version of 'Coming up'. This live version also appeared on the 7" single of 'Coming up', actually. 

I only bought this single because it came with an order of a few 12" singles, and it is a nice curiosity. It's not often one gets to buy a McCartney promo for the price of half a bread.

My collection: 7" single no. 7155
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 March 2024
Tracks: 'Coming up (live at Glasgow)'

Figure of eight / Ou est le soleil? - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney has released a lot of singles during his career. So many, that he decided to release an expensive box set last year, featuring no less than 80 7" singles. There was, of course, a price to match: you could only get the set if you were willing to fork out about 600 euros. That's about 7,5 euros per 7". 

I got this 7" for considerably less. The weird thing about this single is that the B-side (or the AA-side, as it is declared on the disc) is much better than the title track 'Figure of eight'. 'Ou est le soleil' is an inspired piece of throwaway pop, produced by the inimitable Trevor Horn. More tracks like this would have been welcome!

My collection: 7" single no. 6824
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Figure of eight' / 'Ou est le soleil?'

No more lonely nights - Paul McCartney

Even a music legend can't get it right every time. Paul McCartney has been a victim of ridicule for his single 'We all stand together', the syrupy duet 'Ebony and ivory' and even his treatment of his deluxe editions of past albums, where digital files were sometimes favoured over physical releases.

A more personal example of failure for me is the extended version of 'No more lonely nights'. It is one of my favourite McCartney tracks, but the ballad version - present here on the B-side - is many times better than the so-called 'playout version'. And then there's the extended version... what a mess! I wanted to hear this version, which was my reason for buying this 12" single, but it turned out to be a disappointment. It will probably be up for sale soon. Any takers?

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, January 24, 2020
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'No more lonely nights (extended version)' / 'Silly love songs', 'No more lonely nights (ballad)'

Come on to me / I don't know - Paul McCartney

I am closing the year on this blog with a single from this year! And that's become a rarity, because really there haven't been a lot of good vinyl singles out this year. In fact, I've only bought three: David Bowie and Mylene Farmer being the previous two.

A lot of publicity was given to the new album 'Egypt station' by Paul McCartney. He promoted the album by appearing in a car with James Corden and talking about his time in the Beatles, and giving several interviews in 'serious' music publications in which he was talking about his time in the Beatles. Not a lot of attention went to his new material. This single deserves some attention, though. 'Come on to me' was preferred by most, but I prefer the other A-side: 'I don't know', which Paul shows a more vulnerable side of himself. I like McCartney best when he's not rocking and rolling.

My collection: 7" single no. 5971
Found: Amazon, received December 22, 2018
Cost: 10 pounds (I know, it's ridiculous)
Tracks: 'Come on to me' / 'I don't know'

Silly love songs - Wings

Recorded on January 16, 1976, 'Silly love songs' was a song written as a rebuttal to music critics who criticized Paul McCartney for writing lightweight love songs. According to McCartney, "The song was, in a way, to answer people who just accuse me of being soppy. The nice payoff now is that a lot of the people I meet who are at the age where they've just got a couple of kids and have grown up a bit, settling down, they'll say to me, "I thought you were really soppy for years, but I get it now! I see what you were doing!""

The single was released in April and reached number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the USA. The label of this single mentions 'Wings at the speed of sound', which is of course the album from which it was taken.

My collection: 7" single no. 5872
Found: Record exchange, Greenwich, London, October 27, 2017
Cost: 25p
Tracks: 'Silly love songs' / 'Cook of the house'

Say say say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson

Why not start the new year with two music legends? I received this 12" single just before the turn of the year, after a month of waiting. Released for Black Friday (November 27), this disc was pressed on clear vinyl and originally only slated for release in the United States. Fortunately, Europe followed suit and eventually I was able to order this via Amazon.

I would actually have preferred a CD release, because 12" singles are rather big and take up a lot of space, but it has to be said that this is a beautiful record. The 2015 remix of 'Say Say Say' adds some nice touches, such as reversed vocals on the verses and some added instrumentation throughout - without destroying  the feel of the original track.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Amazon France, received December 29, 2015
Cost: 8 euro
Tracks: 'Say say say (2015 remix)' / 'Say say say (Jellybean Instrumental remix)'

Listen to the 2015 remix & listen to the instrumental remix

Tug of war - Paul McCartney

'Tug of war' is the title track from Paul McCartney’s 1982 album. Rolling Stone described the song as McCartney's equivalent to John Lennon's 'Imagine'. The song has a clear division between the verses featuring sad lyrics about the struggle to survive, the necessity of conflict (pushing and pulling) and the hopeful refrain, in which McCartney looks for a future where these struggles are no longer necessary.

The lyrics are seen as describing his complex relationship with Lennon, who was killed two years prior. The single reached number 53 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, It failed to chart everywhere else.

My collection: 7" single no. 5437
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Tug of war' / 'Get it' (duet with Carl Perkins)

Paul McCartney's theme from The Honorary Consul - John Williams

'The Honorary Consul' was originally a book written by Graham Greene, published in 1973. The book was subsequently made into a film, directed by John Mackenzie in 1983, featuring Richard Gere and Michael Caine.

The soundtrack of the movie featured a theme which was composed by Paul McCartney and performed by John Williams. It's true, when you listen to the recording of this single you'll notice that it's had better days, but this single is pretty hard to find these days. So I guess I'm lucky to have found it at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 5408
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Paul McCartney's theme from The Honorary Consul' / 'Clara's theme' (Quimantu)

Jet - Paul McCartney & Wings

'Jet' is a song by Paul McCartney & Wings from their album Band on the Run. The song peaked at number 7 in both the British and American charts in 1974. Whereas most of the album was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, 'Jet' was recorded entirely at EMI Studios in London after the group's return.

Reviewers have reported that the subject of the song is McCartney's Labrador Retriever dog named 'Jet'. However, in a 2010 interview on the UK television channel ITV1 for the program Wings: Band on the Run (to promote the November 2010 CD/DVD re-release of the album) McCartney explained that 'Jet' was the name of a pony he had owned, although many of the lyrics bore little relation to the subject.

My collection: 7" single no. 5251
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Jet' / 'Let me roll it'

Let it be - Ferry Aid

I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...

The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.

My collection: 12" single no. 545
Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'

Let it be - Ferry Aid

On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.

The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 575
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'

Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

One chorus and one verse, that's about it. Plus some amazing music, it has to be said. 'Ebony and Ivory' is a somewhat meagre Paul McCartney composition, but adding Stevie Wonder into the track was a stroke of genius. You would almost forget that the lyric is full of platitudes and the ultimate piece of cornyness. The song was performed live in the studio by both McCartney and Wonder, although due to conflicting work schedules, both recorded their parts for the song's music video separately.

The track was featured on McCartney's 1982 album 'Tug of war', and when released as a single it shot to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4020
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ebony and ivory' / 'Rainclouds'

Once upon a long ago - Paul McCartney

'Once upon a long ago' was recorded as a new track for Paul McCartney's 1987 compilation album 'All the best!'. The track was produced by Phil Ramone and mixed by George Martin. Personally, I think it's one of McCartney's most accomplished tracks, not least because of the moving violin solo by Nigel Kennedy.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart, McCartney's last top 10 hit in the UK. It did slightly better in the Netherlands, peaking at number 6. The single was not released in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 2199
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Once upon a long ago' / 'Back on my feet'

No more lonely nights - Paul McCartney

'No more lonely nights' was recorded by Paul McCartney for the soundtrack of the movie 'Give my regards to Broad Street', which was produced by McCartney and featured him in the lead role. The movie was a financial disaster, but the soundtrack actually sold quite well. Judging from this song, rightfully so: this is one of McCartney's most accomplished songs in my opinion. It features a beautiful guitar solo by David Gilmour and backing vocals by 10cc's Eric Stewart.

The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1761
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'No more lonely nights (ballad)' / 'No more lonely nights (playout version)'

Waterfalls - Paul McCartney

I don't know why, but I've always thought that this sleeve is a very beautiful one. It's one of those illustrations that keep impressing me, even after all these years. The song itself is equally beautiful. It was taken from McCartney's first solo album after Wings disbanded, 'McCartney II'.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart in 1980. But when he was asked which of his single he wished were more successful, McCartney answered, 'There's quite a few, actually... 'Waterfalls', I think is nice.'

My collection: 7" single no. 624
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waterfalls' / 'Check my machine'

Coming up - Paul McCartney

For some reason, I always associated Paul McCartney's 'Coming up' with mice. It must be because of all the high notes in the track. Although the single was released as a solo release by McCartney, the B-side was credited to Paul McCartney & Wings. The live version was recorded in Glasgow, Scotland on December 17, 1979 and 'Lunchbox/Odd sox' was recorded during the sessions for the 1975 Wings album 'Venus & Mars'.

My copy of the single has the A-side label on both sides, which could make this a collectors item. The single peaked at number 22 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the UK singles chart and it topped the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 2468
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Coming up' / 'Coming up (live version)', 'Lunchbox/Odd sox'

The girl is mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney collaborated on 'Say say say' in 1981, a track that appeared in 1983 on McCartney's fifth solo album 'Pipes of peace'. The favour was returned with this song, 'The girl is mine'. The song has been the subject of two plagiarism lawsuits. Both instances required Jackson to testify in court, and each lawsuit found in the favour of the singer and his record label.

Producer Quincy Jones had initially told Jackson to write a song about two men fighting over a girl. Inspired, Jackson awoke during the night and sang the song into a tape recorder. The song was then recorded by Jackson and McCartney at Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, from April 14 to 16, 1982. Released as the first single from Jackson's bestselling album 'Thriller', it reached number 8 in the UK and number 12 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 842
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The girl is mine' / 'Can't get outta the rain'

From a lover to a friend - Paul McCartney

The sticker on the sleeve of this single states that the profits from the sales of this single will go to aid families of the New York firemen and police. This statement makes it clear that the single was released after September 11, 2001. And indeed it was: although 'From a lover to a friend' was recorded earlier in the year, the single was released in October 2001.

Still, the subject matter of the single doesn't have much to do with the events in New York: it's a personal song in which Paul McCartney tries to come to terms with the death of his wife Linda McCartney. When he sings 'Let me love again', little does he know that he will fall victim to greedy mrs. Mills. But did the police and firemen in New York get a lot of money? I doubt it; the single only made number 45 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3351

Found: HMV, London, November 2001

Cost: 2,5 pounds

Tracks: 'From a lover to a friend' / 'Riding into Jaipur'