A self-taught musician, McCartney is proficient on bass, guitar, keyboards, and drums. He is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing (mainly playing with a plectrum), his versatile and wide tenor vocal range (spanning over four octaves), and his eclecticism (exploring styles ranging from pre-rock and roll pop to classical and electronica). McCartney began his career as a member of the Quarrymen in 1957, which evolved into the Beatles in 1960. Starting with the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, he gradually became the Beatles' de facto leader, providing the creative impetus for most of their music and film projects. His Beatles songs "And I Love Her" (1964), "Yesterday" (1965), "Eleanor Rigby" (1966) and "Blackbird" (1968) rank among the most covered songs in history.
In 1970, McCartney debuted as a solo artist with the album McCartney. Throughout the 1970s, he led Wings, one of the most successful bands of the decade, with more than a dozen international top 10 singles and albums. McCartney resumed his solo career in 1980. Since 1989, he has toured consistently as a solo artist. In 1993, he formed the music duo the Fireman with Youth of Killing Joke. Beyond music, he has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights, seal hunting, land mines, vegetarianism, poverty, and music education.
McCartney is one of the most successful composers and performers of all time. He has written or co-written 32 songs that have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and as of 2009, had sales of 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States. His honours include two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of the Beatles in 1988 and as a solo artist in 1999), 18 Grammy Awards, an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1965, and a knighthood in 1997 for services to music. As of 2020, he is also one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated fortune of £800 million.
Best known for primarily using a plectrum or pick, McCartney occasionally plays fingerstyle. He was strongly influenced by Motown artists, in particular James Jamerson, whom McCartney called a hero for his melodic style. He was also influenced by Brian Wilson, as he commented: "because he went to very unusual places". Another favourite bassist of his is Stanley Clarke. McCartney's skill as a bass player has been acknowledged by bassists including Sting, Dr. Dre bassist Mike Elizondo, and Colin Moulding of XTC.
During McCartney's early years with the Beatles, he primarily used a Höfner 500/1 bass, although from 1965, he favoured his Rickenbacker 4001S for recording. While typically using Vox amplifiers, by 1967, he had also begun using a Fender Bassman for amplification. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he used a Wal 5-String, which he said made him play more thick-sounding basslines, in contrast to the much lighter Höfner, which inspired him to play more sensitively, something he considers fundamental to his playing style. He changed back to the Höfner around 1990 for that reason. He uses Mesa Boogie bass amplifiers while performing live.
McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the Beatles and again as a solo artist in 1999. In 1979, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised McCartney as the "most honored composer and performer in music", with 60 gold discs (43 with the Beatles, 17 with Wings) and, as a member of the Beatles, sales of over 100 million singles and 100 million albums, and as the "most successful song writer", he wrote jointly or solo 43 songs which sold one million or more records between 1962 and 1978. In 2009, Guinness World Records again recognised McCartney as the "most successful songwriter" having written or co-written 188 charted records in the United Kingdom, of which 91 reached the top 10 and 33 made it to number one.
McCartney has written, or co-written, 32 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100: twenty with the Beatles; seven solo or with Wings; one as a co-writer of "A World Without Love", a number-one single for Peter and Gordon; one as a co-writer on Elton John's cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"; one as a co-writer on Stars on 45's "Medley"; one as a co-writer with Michael Jackson on "Say Say Say"; and one as writer on "Ebony and Ivory" performed with Stevie Wonder. As of 2009, he has 15.5 million RIAA certified units in the United States as a solo artist plus another 10 million with Wings.
Credited with more number ones in the UK than any other artist, McCartney has participated in twenty-four chart topping singles: seventeen with the Beatles, one solo, and one each with Wings, Stevie Wonder, Ferry Aid, Band Aid, Band Aid 20 and "The Christians et al." He is the only artist to reach the UK number one as a soloist ("Pipes of Peace"), duo ("Ebony and Ivory" with Wonder), trio ("Mull of Kintyre", Wings), quartet ("She Loves You", the Beatles), quintet ("Get Back", the Beatles with Billy Preston) and as part of a musical ensemble for charity (Ferry Aid).
"Yesterday" is one of the most covered songs in history with more than 2,200 recorded versions, and according to the BBC, "the track is the only one by a UK writer to have been aired more than seven million times on American TV and radio and is third in the all-time list ... [and] is the most played song by a British writer [last] century in the US". His 1968 Beatles composition "Hey Jude" achieved the highest sales in the UK that year and topped the US charts for nine weeks, which is longer than any other Beatles single. It was also the longest single released by the band and, at seven minutes eleven seconds, was at that time the longest number one. "Hey Jude" is the best-selling Beatles single, achieving sales of over five million copies soon after its release.
In July 2005, McCartney's performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with U2 at Live 8 became the fastest-released single in history. Available within forty-five minutes of its recording, hours later it had achieved number one on the UK Official Download Chart.
In December 2020, the release of his album McCartney III and its subsequent charting at number 2 on the US Billboard 200 earned McCartney the feat of being the first artist to have a new album in the top two chart positions in each of the last six decades.
Flaming Pie
Paul McCartney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shooting stars from a purple sky
I don't care how I do it
I'm the man on the flaming pie
Stick my tongue out and lick my nose
Tuck my shirt in and zip my fly
Go ahead, have a vision
Everything I do has a simple explanation
When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation
I took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack
Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
Cut my toes off to spite my feet
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
Never mind, check my rhythm
I'm the man on the flaming pie
I'm the man on the flaming pie
Now everything I do has a simple explanation (explanation)
When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation (vacation)
Took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack
Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
Ow
Yeah
Aha
Yeah, aha
The lyrics to Paul McCartney's song Flaming Pie are elusive and seem to be a medley of random thoughts that the artist put together, yet on a deeper level, they evoke feelings of self-actualization and self-discovery. The first verse describes an intimate moment between two people, "Making love underneath a bed," with a sky full of "Shooting stars from a purple sky." McCartney then declares himself as "the man on the flaming pie" who does not care how he achieves success, he just wants to be recognized for his achievements.
The second verse further delves into McCartney's personality quirks and unconventional behavior. He describes sticking his tongue out and licking his nose, tucking in his shirt and zipping his fly, and having a vision. He believes he is unique, and his actions and thoughts cannot be explained by others. He also took his brains out and stretched them on a rack, which could mean that he is using his full mental abilities to create something new, in this case, the Flaming Pie album.
The last verse sees McCartney cutting his toes off to spite his feet, which symbolizes his willingness to take risks and suffer the consequences of his choices. He is, however, confident in his rhythm and his ability to create something remarkable. Overall, the song is a reflection of McCartney's creative process and his desire to be recognized for his work, even if it appears unconventional to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Making love underneath a bed
Engaging in sexual intercourse hidden from view
Shooting stars from a purple sky
Magical and rare occurrences, significant and awe-inspiring
I don't care how I do it
Goals can be achieved by any means necessary, regardless of morality or ethics
I'm the man on the flaming pie
I hold power and dominance, representing strength, perfection, and excitement
Stick my tongue out and lick my nose
Making impressive, seemingly impossible feats with ease
Tuck my shirt in and zip my fly
Exuding confidence through perfect appearance and attention to detail
Go ahead, have a vision
Encouraging others to dream, strive, and set goals
Everything I do has a simple explanation
I do not waste time on unnecessary complexities and prioritize practicality
When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation
Being in my presence can be overwhelming, requiring a break from reality
I took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack
I am open to exploring new ideas and perspectives, even if it means challenging my own beliefs
Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
I may have changed too much from expanding my mind and cannot return to my previous self
Cut my toes off to spite my feet
Punishing oneself ultimately harms rather than helps, despite initial satisfaction
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
Expressing confusion, mixed emotions, or inner turmoil
Never mind, check my rhythm
Disregarding external factors, focusing on personal strengths and abilities
Ow
Interjection implying physical or emotional pain
Yeah
Affirmation, excitement, or agreement
Aha
Interjection signaling discovery or realization
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diego Studios
Making love underneath the bed
Shooting stars from a purple sky
I don't care how I do it
I'm the man on the flaming pie
Stick my tongue out and lick my nose
Tuck my shirt in and zip my fly
Go ahead, have a vision
I'm the man on the flaming pie
Everything I do has a simple explanation
When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation
I took my brains out and stretched 'em on a rack
Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
Cut my toes off to spite my feet
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
Never mind, check my rhythm
I'm the man on the flaming pie
I'm the man on the flaming pie
Everything I do has a simple explanation
When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation
I took my brains out and stretched 'em on a rack
Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
Anthony Lombardo
When this album came out I instantly fell in love with it.
Polythene Prentiss
Same! Every song on it is great! I'm still listening to the CD from 1997.
CervenySpecial
Same here
TheKardiacKid
I absolutely bloody love this album. It is one of the best of the 1990's.
Janet Sampson
I love the realness of this album,it's not a bunch of synthesizers and effects taking place but simply guitars,piano bass and drums,it's a wonderful album and one of Paul's very best. Bob.
danb97
What an album! Hard to understand why Paul never performs 'Beautiful Night' live. Paul's the greatest, anyway.
Mark Daniels
'Flaming Pie' was a wonderful LP, with lots of great tracks. It's hard to pick a favorite.
moyo25
One of my favorite Paul lp's...wonderful from start to finish. Heaven On A Sunday, Calico Skies, Little Willow. Paul at his best...like he's ever not.
Patrick Thomas
No one giving jeff lynne credit this man did a great producing this album has a Beatles traveling willburies feel
Jeff Lynne's ELO 2024 Tour
Paul and Jeff Lynne had a lot of fun making this album.