Saturday, June 18, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIR PAUL

If I was going to list the creative titans whose work—in any artistic field—has entertained, uplifted and inspired me, Paul McCartney would be near the top of the list.  From the moment the Beatles stepped onto the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show and electrified my ten year old brain, McCartney's music, with and without the Beatles, has provided an ongoing soundtrack for my life.  Yes, it's true I'm a hard-core Lennon fan, and, overall, I prefer John's work to Paul's; but that's like saying I prefer breathing to the beating of my heart:  both are essential for survival.  

In honor of Paul's 69th birthday, here's a classic clip of the Beatles performing his greatest song (hell, it's one of the greatest songs ever written):  "Hey Jude."


And here's a shimmering gem from McCartney's extraordinary solo catalog; one of his most beautiful, and moving, ballads:  "Waterfalls."


If you're not familiar with McCartney's non-Beatles work, I'd recommend four albums that feature Paul at the height of his creative powers:  Band on the Run, Tug of War, Flaming Pie and Memory Almost Full.

Happy birthday, Paul.  And here's to many more years of heartfelt, transcendent music.

19 comments:

  1. I'm with you on preferring Lennon's songs over McCarney's, but 'Hey Jude' is the best song any Beatle ever wrote.

    I'd say 'Maybe I'm Amazed' is my favorite post-Beatles McCartney song, and I've always loved the "live medley"('Venus & Mars/Rockshow/Jet)that opens Wings' live album.

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  2. "Hey Jude" is definitely my favorite Beatles song, J.A. ("Strawberry Fields" and "A Day in the Life" are close behind.) As far as post-Beatles medleys go, I love the medley that closes MEMORY ALMOST FULL, especially "The End of the End," where McCartney, with grace and poise, contemplates his own death. Moving and beautiful.

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  3. "I prefer John's work to Paul's," Come on Dematteis, cut the charade of being such a Lennon fan, We all know your favorite Beatle is and was Pete Best.

    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

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  4. Wrong, Jack: it's Stu Sutcliff! :)

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  5. Beautiful sentiments, Marc. And I really love "The End of the End" too.

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  6. That song never fails to move me, Glenn. It will be a sad world indeed on the day Paul McCartney's no longer with us. Here's hoping that day doesn't come for a good long time.

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  7. Paul should keep in mind that if he becomes the last surviving Beatle, he'll get to mate with Betty White, the last surviving Golden Girl. Is that incentive or what?

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  8. Sorry, but whenever 'The End' comes up, I often think of this "interview" with McCartney:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBIyGxV7Ek
    (I love his answer about the meaning of 'The End')

    Unrelated to Paul McCartney, here's my post about AEM's "Bernie America" story:

    http://assistanteditorsmonth.blogspot.com/2011/06/captain-america-289.html

    Thank you so much for answering my question about that cover last week!

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  9. Thanks, Jeff, you just exploded my brain for the day.

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  10. I'll go check out your article right now, J.A. And then I'll look at the McCartney video. Thanks!

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  11. JMD, have you ever seen this clip? Pink and 13,500 onlookers singing Hey Jude in Trafalgar Square.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orukqxeWmM0

    I find this version somehow exhilarating, uplifting, heartfelt and hopeful. Can say I had a good chuckle and a tear or two somewhere.

    Happy Birthday Paul!

    Robert Thomas

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  12. Yes, I have seen it, Robert. Imagine being the guy who wrote it and seeing that scene: amazing!

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  13. "Hey,Jude" is a song I often turn to when I'm feeling really down. It helps me to either escape an emotional funk or embrace it in a meaningful way. "Let it Be" works well, too. --David

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  14. When I was a teenager, David, deep in the throes of hormonal angst, I'd sometimes sit in my room playing every wretched and miserable song I could find. Then, when I was ready to let go of my despair and move on, I'd put "Hey Jude" on the record player (yes, children, there really were such things!)and my mood would instantly lift.

    I'd like to believe I'm nowhere near as melodramatic now, but "Hey Jude" still has the power to change a mood in a heartbeat.

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  15. Ah yes of course, how could I have been so foolish? Of course it's Stu, I must apologize for my blindness. But always remember this, John was the only one of the Fab Four to not lend his voice to the simpsons.


    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

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  16. Wise guy like the Dali Lama or like Bart Simpson?


    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

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  17. Both! (How's that for equivocating?)

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  18. Well... then I quess I' m at least ion double the good company.



    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

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