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Six essential Paul McCartney solo-era songs
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“Maybe I’m Amazed” — the intimate starting point
Begin with the piano-led emotional directness of “Maybe I’m Amazed,” from McCartney’s 1970 album McCartney. It makes a natural introduction to his early solo work: personal in scale, but built around a melody that feels made to fill a room. The Beatles’ official page identifies it as one of the enduring tunes from the album. The Beatles: McCartney III.
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“Band on the Run” — Wings at full scale
“Band on the Run” is the expansive, multi-section choice, shifting through contrasting musical ideas rather than staying in one groove. It belongs to Wings’ 1973 album of the same name, and shows why the post-Beatles story is not simply a sequence of McCartney solo records. Find it on Band on the Run. Paul McCartney albums.
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“Live and Let Die” — a song larger than its film origin
Written for the James Bond film of the same name, “Live and Let Die” pairs a theatrical arrangement with sharp changes in intensity. McCartney later reflected that the song had taken on meaning beyond the film, saying, “So, it’s definitely taken on a new meaning for me beyond the Bond film.” The official anniversary interview also discusses its continuing life in performance. Paul McCartney: “Live and Let Die” 50th anniversary interview.
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SaleWings Greatest- Originally released in 1978, Wings Greatest, was the first ever compilation of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles hits, featuring four classics that had previously been unavailable on any McCartney album: "Another Day," "Junior's Farm," "Hi, Hi, Hi" and "Mull of Kintyre
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“Jet” — a punchy Wings rocker
“Jet” brings the energy back up with a concise, forceful rock arrangement. It is a Wings-era single and a useful counterweight to the reflective opening tracks. The official singles catalog lists the recording. Paul McCartney singles discography.
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“Silly Love Songs” — polished pop with a point
“Silly Love Songs” is buoyant, meticulously arranged pop—and its title gives McCartney room to answer the idea that love songs are an unworthy subject. The track demonstrates a different side of Wings from the dramatic “Band on the Run” and harder-edged “Jet.” It appears in the official singles catalog. Paul McCartney singles discography.
Rank #2
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“Listen to What the Man Said” — melodic ease
Close with “Listen to What the Man Said,” an accessible Wings single whose relaxed, melodic feel offers a softer landing after the list’s bigger production moments. Its place in the official singles catalog makes it an easy next stop for anyone exploring the Wings years. Paul McCartney singles discography.
How to use this list
Play the songs in this order for contrast, not because the sequence claims a definitive ranking. It moves between intimacy, scale, soundtrack spectacle, rock drive, and pop craftsmanship. The selection favors tracks that serve as clear entry points to different sounds and eras; it is not a streaming chart or a claim that these are the only essential songs.
Rank #3
- WINGS?is the ultimate anthology of the band that defined the sound of the 1970s
An album-format overview
For a physical collection spanning McCartney’s post-Beatles recordings, the official store lists Paul McCartney and Wings — Man on the Run on LP and describes it as a collection of deep cuts and fan favorites. The listing names “Live and Let Die (Rockshow),” “Gotta Sing Gotta Dance,” and “Arrow Through Me (Rough Mix)” among its recordings. It is a soundtrack collection rather than a complete best-of, so treat it as another route into the catalog, not a substitute for the albums behind the six picks. Official store: Man on the Run soundtrack LP.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where McCartney’s solo career stands
As career context—not a measure of any song’s quality—Official Charts reported that The Boys of Dungeon Lane became McCartney’s 20th solo LP and his 24th career number-one album, reaching UK number one on 5 June 2026. Official Charts: Paul McCartney.
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Rank #4
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