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.
Gratia
Paul McCartney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a state of grace
In the saddest face
Something is there
How the rivers flow
We may never know
But it goes to show
This guiding light
Will burn so bright
So much wonder around us
All the love in the air
Let the good that surrounds us
Help us to always care
Then the seeds we sow
Will survive and grow
And we will all know
Something is there
This guiding light
Will burn so bright
So much wonder around us
All the love in the air
Let the good that surrounds us
Help us to always care
In this world where ever present dangers
Circle round our family heart
Like a throng of hostile strangers eager for a war to start
There appears a friend's familiar face
Oh sweet relief, the heart goes to a warmer place
And this we prize
And this we hold so dear
This humble state of grace
And this we prize
For this we hold so dear
This state of grace
We may find a trace
Of a state of grace
In the saddest face
Something is there
How the rivers flow
We may never know
But it goes to show
Something is there
This guiding light
Will burn so bright
So much wonder around us
All the love in the air
Let the good that surrounds us
Help us to always care
Life aboard this fast revolver still remains a magic mystery
Loud reports of anger fill the pages of our history
Those of us with love can now embrace
With sweet relief a life lived at a gentler pace
And this we prize
And this we hold so dear
This humble state of grace
And this we prize
For this we hold so dear
This humble state of grace
In the night a daffodil
Is battered by the father of all storms
Daybreak sees it stand alone
Amongst a field of lifeless forms
Rays of light illuminate
Where sweet relief presents a shining yellow face
And this we prize
And this we hold so dear
This humble state of grace
We may find a trace
Of a state of grace
In the saddest face
Something is there
How the rivers flow
We may never know
But it goes to show
Something is there
This guiding light
Will burn so bright
So much wonder around us
All the love in the air
Let the good that surrounds us
Help us to always care
Then the seeds we sow
Will survive and grow
And we will all know
Something is there
This guiding light
Will burn so bright
So much wonder around us
All the love in the air
Let the good that surrounds us
Help us to always care
And this we prize
For this we hold so dear
This humble state of grace
In the song, "Gratia" by Paul McCartney, he describes the concept of finding beauty, hope, and positivity within moments of darkness, sadness, and confusion. He talks about the idea that there is always something to appreciate and cherish, even in our saddest, most overwhelming times. The repetition of the phrase “something is there” reinforces the idea that there is always a glimmer of hope, and we need to hold onto that hope and embrace it. McCartney also highlights the significance of love and care in the world, and how it can create a sense of gratitude and joy. The lyrics remind us that the world can be a dark and unpredictable place, but through the grace of kindness, we can find a sense of peace and comfort.
The song was released in 2020 as a part of McCartney’s album “McCartney III.” The album was recorded and produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and is said to reflect McCartney’s isolation and introspection during a time of chaos in the world. “Gratia” is unique in terms of both its lyrics and melody. The song is created around a simple chord progression of E minor and G, which is intentionally designed to have a calming effect on listeners. The song’s lyrics are written to be a reassuring message to listeners, that in difficult times there is always a silver lining to be found. Overall, the song is very peaceful, uplifting, and the repeated chorus emphasizes the importance of hope, kindness, and grace in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We may find a trace
Even in the darkest of times or in the saddest face, there may be a hint or indication of a positive feeling or a state of grace.
Of a state of grace
A feeling of calmness, peace, and tranquility that can be experienced amidst the chaos and turmoil of life.
In the saddest face
A reminder that even someone who appears to be going through a hard time may still possess some hope or contentment.
Something is there
Despite not knowing exactly what it is, there is always a sense that something positive and good exists.
How the rivers flow
The mystery of the forces of nature and how they work is something that we may never fully understand.
We may never know
There are some things in life that remain a mystery and may never be fully understood.
But it goes to show
The fact that something can exist without our understanding or acknowledgement is proof of its enduring power and presence.
This guiding light
The feeling of hope and optimism that inspires us and helps us navigate through the challenging times in our lives.
Will burn so bright
The strength of our hope and positivity can shine through even in the darkest of days, giving us the strength to carry on.
So much wonder around us
An acknowledgement of the beauty and mystery that surrounds us, even in the most ordinary of moments.
All the love in the air
The feeling of warmth and affection that we can experience, especially when surrounded by people who care about us.
Let the good that surrounds us
By focusing on the good things in life, we can channel our energy and attention towards positivity and hope.
Help us to always care
A reminder to maintain a sense of compassion and concern for others, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Then the seeds we sow
The actions we take today can have an impact on the future, setting the stage for positive outcomes and growth.
Will survive and grow
Our efforts to create positive change can endure and evolve over time, leading to more positive outcomes in the future.
And we will all know
Through our actions and experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us, increasing our awareness and knowledge.
Life aboard this fast revolver still remains a magic mystery
Life is full of surprises and the unexpected, and despite our best efforts, we can never fully predict or control what will happen.
Loud reports of anger fill the pages of our history
Throughout history, we have seen and experienced a great deal of pain and conflict, much of which has been driven by anger and frustration.
Those of us with love can now embrace
By approaching life with love and compassion, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment, even amidst the chaos and turmoil of the world.
With sweet relief a life lived at a gentler pace
By slowing down and taking a more deliberate approach to life, we can reduce stress and anxiety, and increase our overall sense of well-being.
In the night a daffodil
Even in the most unlikely of places or circumstances, there exists a beauty and wonder that we can appreciate.
Is battered by the father of all storms
The forces of nature can be powerful and overwhelming, capable of inflicting damage and destruction on even the most resilient and sturdy of objects.
Daybreak sees it stand alone
After enduring hardship and adversity, we may emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before, capable of standing tall and proud amidst difficult circumstances.
Amongst a field of lifeless forms
Even in the midst of despair and loss, there exists a sense of hope and vitality that can inspire us and keep us going.
Rays of light illuminate
The power of hope and positivity can shine through even the darkest of days, providing a guiding light to help us navigate difficult circumstances.
Where sweet relief presents a shining yellow face
In moments of joy and positivity, we can find a sense of relief and peace that can help us overcome even the most challenging of circumstances.
For this we hold so dear
The feeling of peace and contentment that comes with experiencing a state of grace or positivity is a precious and valuable thing that we should cherish and hold on to.
This humble state of grace
In spite of all our flaws and shortcomings, we are capable of experiencing moments of calmness and peace that can help us weather the storms of life with grace and dignity.
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.