Paul McCartney Turns 66

Paul McCartney was born 66 years ago today on June 18, 1942.

McCartney was one half of the most successful songwriting team in popular music history (Lennon/McCartney) and when combining his Beatles songs with his solo (and Wings) output he is considered to be the biggest selling songwriter of all time (according to Guinness.) His most popular song, 1965’s “Yesterday” is the most covered song of all time and has been played more than 7 million times on the radio & television in the US.

On the popular music site Last.FM, 4 of the 6 most played Beatles songs are McCartney songs (”Let It Be,” “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” & “Eleanor Rigby.”)

While John Lennon & George Harrison (mostly his debut solo album All Things Must Pass) have received more critical acclaim for their solo work, McCartney was easily the most successful of ex Beatles commercially. 11 of his solo albums went to #1 either in the UK or in the US. His last #1 (to date) was 1989’s Flowers In The Dirt which reached #1 in the UK (but only #21 in the US.) More recently 1997’s Flaming Pie went to #2 in both the US & the UK and 2007’s Memory Almost Full went to #3 in the US and #5 in the UK. In 2001 the Wings greatest hits collection Wingspan hit #2 in the US and #5 in the UK.

He also had a number of solo/Wings singles that reached #1 in either the US or the UK.

1971: “Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey” (Ram) #1 in the US.
1973: “My Love” (Red Rose Speedway) #1 in the US.
1974: “Band on the Run” (Band on the Run) #1 in the US.
1975: “Listen to What the Man Said” (Venus and Mars) #1 in the US.
1976: “Silly Love Songs” (Wings at the Speed of Sound) #1 in the US.
1977: “Mull of Kintyre” (non-album single) #1 in the UK.
1978: “With a Little Luck” (London Town) #1 in the US.
1980: “Coming Up” (McCartney II) #1 in the US.
1982: “Ebony and Ivory” (Tug of War) #1 in both the UK & US.
1983: “Say Say Say” (Pipes of Peace) #1 in the US.
1983: “Pipes of Peace” (Pipes of Peace) #1 in the UK.
1989: “Ferry Cross the Merry” (non-album single) #1 in the UK.

“Pipes of Peace” music video:

Although it didn’t hit the top of the charts, I think “Maybe I’m Amazed” is the greatest McCartney solo song. Check it out below.

“Maybe I’m Amazed” (from his debut solo album, McCartney.)

The Beatles, June 18, 1942, Paul McCartney, Wings

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