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)'
Showing posts with label Paul McCartney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul McCartney. Show all posts
Saturday, 28 March 2020
Monday, 31 December 2018
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'
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'
Friday, 10 November 2017
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'
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'
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
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
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
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
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)
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)
Friday, 5 September 2014
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)
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)
Friday, 25 November 2011
Jet - Paul McCartney & Wings
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FHbqwo75XI/Ts_smixpvJI/AAAAAAAALtA/Xk0Dva4TS5M/s200/wings5.jpg)
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'
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Let it be - Ferry Aid
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/S_LZz3DwTRI/AAAAAAAAKJw/2_tBEcoemlA/s200/ferryaid2.jpg)
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)'
Monday, 19 April 2010
Let it be - Ferry Aid
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/S8y3Y9eGNkI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/AIHqsMrNxUE/s200/ferryaid.jpg)
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)'
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sq-D_TJh9WI/AAAAAAAAFgw/GTTK9WZYs_c/s200/mccartneywonder.jpg)
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'
Friday, 11 September 2009
Once upon a long ago - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqoZC0KdG7I/AAAAAAAAFa4/iwhGfwI8yQM/s200/mccartney8.jpg)
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'
Friday, 4 September 2009
No more lonely nights - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqGKUbJfg4I/AAAAAAAAFOI/0f-0P7s_qtA/s200/mccartney7.jpg)
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)'
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Waterfalls - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SpQ3t_xN_cI/AAAAAAAAFCo/xshr4D2nSAw/s200/mccartney6.jpg)
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'
Friday, 21 August 2009
Coming up - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/So8NoTnPC4I/AAAAAAAAE9o/EO45fzp24Og/s200/mccartney5.jpg)
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'
Sunday, 5 July 2009
The girl is mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SlD6FNeq5EI/AAAAAAAAD6A/KDuTa5iGaa8/s200/mjackson24.jpg)
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'
Sunday, 10 May 2009
From a lover to a friend - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sgc7kv7oP2I/AAAAAAAACxM/9auAlXUFOrE/s200/mccartney4.jpg)
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'
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
We all stand together - Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Se4Tn36kKoI/AAAAAAAACWk/JtVCDoYVh-c/s200/mccartney3.jpg)
The 'Frog Chorus' backing on the song was provided by the King's Singers choral group and the choir of St Paul's Cathedral. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and number 12 in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 3623
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We all stand together' / 'We all stand together (Humming version)'
Friday, 6 March 2009
With a little luck - Wings
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SbGc1m_3FQI/AAAAAAAAB00/RO4Rknbm4nc/s200/wings.jpg)
My collection: 7" single no. 843
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'With a little luck' / 'Backwards traveller', 'Cuff link'
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Fine line - Paul McCartney
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SakuxNZ12mI/AAAAAAAABuc/uA7caDJhpqg/s200/mccartney2.jpg)
I bought this single as a present for someone, but when I listened to it at home I decided that I wanted to keep it myself. Somehow it was never administrated as my own, so now, three years later, it has become my most recent acquisition - at least in my singles catalogue.
My collection: 7" single no. 3583
Found: HMV, London, November 8, 2005
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Fine line' / 'Growing up falling down'
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Say say say - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200805075203im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SYS2dbN-lzI/AAAAAAAABQg/I_nJpy1nPi4/s200/mccartney-jackson.jpg)
In 1983, 'Say say say' was one of the most played songs on the radio and after a while it became very boring. It's only now, 25 years later, that I can listen to this track again.
My collection: 7" single no. 3564
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 31, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Say say say' (Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson) / 'Ode to a koala bear' (Paul McCartney)
Download: 'Say say say' / 'Ode to a koala bear'
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