Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 10 Too Many People

No. 10 Too Many People from Tug of War from Ram (1971)

An angry rock song that was partially directed at John. The vocal has three styles first the 'Too many people...' part, then the 'that was your first mistake...' and the the 'what can be done for you' voice. All great. In fact just buy the Ram album and you will see how great Paul's voice can be. 

Other songs that on another day could have made this top ten (many are elsewhere on this blog so wanted to give others some coverage) are: Maybe I'm Amazed, Dear Friend, The Lovers that Never Were, I'm Carrying, Back Seat Of My Car, Dear Boy, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Wild Life, Lonely Road, Listen to what the man Said, Getting Closer, The Pound is Sinking, So Glad to See You Here.

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 9 Tug of War

No. 9 Tug of War from Tug of War (1982)

A very slick song produced by Mr. George Martin. A perfect vocal performance that builds to a higher register as the song develops. It is one of those McCartney songs that he gets just right. It is faultless and beautifully sang. It all comes too easy to him.

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 8 Winter Rose / Love Awake

No. 8 Winter Rose / Love Awake from Back to the Egg (1979)

A raspy, soulful and haunting vocal on a song that is really two songs. The first is a lovely haunting song and Paul sounds like Rod Stewart at his early understated best. Then the second part is a much more uplifting sweet vocal that exudes optimism and is note perfect.

Paul McCartney and Damon Albarn

Two of my favourite artists together.

Coming Up is now rumoured to have been played. Funky.

Paul playing on the African Express tonight?!

Check out his Twitter feed. Looks like he will play with the Noisettes. Although Damon Albarn plays Goodnight Tonight, so who knows?! Would be nice if he just played bass and gave the spotlight elsewhere, perhaps adding some wonderful harmonies.

http://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney

Picture taken from @PaulMcCartney

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 7 Put It There

No. 7 Put It There from the Flowers In The Dirt Album (1989)

A very simple Paul McCartney song that is instantly memorable. The vocal is sung in quite a high key allowing Paul to drop his voice for added effect. A faultless, pure, sweet and heartfelt vocal for a gorgeous acoustic song. Simplicity is sometimes the best option and McCartney makes this sound simple to sing, but it is actually quite difficult to achieve.

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 6 Oh Woman, Oh Why

No. 6 Oh Woman, Oh Why from Another Day Single (1971)

This is the kind of McCartney I love. Gritty, raunchy, simple and still very catchy and melodic. A relatively unknown song that needs to be spread to the world. Oh course, the vocal takes it to another level.

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 5 That Day Is Done

No. 5 That Day Is Done from Flowers In The Dirt (1989)

Paul's back catalogue is so varied - which is one the reasons why he is so hard to pigeon hole and perhaps fails to maintain that cult 'cool' following that John did. 



That said, this is a very unique song, and there is little that is similar to this in his song book. This was a co-write with the secret Lemonade's drinkers' fruit and is a moving and haunting song about death. Paul does the subject justice with one of the most emotional and soulful performances of his career. Truly heart wrenchingly beautiful. This man has soul and it shows here.

Paul McCartney: the best voice in rock and pop: Part 4 No More Lonely Nights

No. 4 No More Lonely Nights from Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)

This is one of those songs and vocals that just gets you from the first nano second. "I can wait another day..." with no backing whatsoever shows the pure beauty and sweetness of his voice. I builds up to the fantastic vocal. Faultless pop song, faultless vocal.