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.
Loveliest Thing
Paul McCartney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To me you are the loveliest thing I've seen all day
You can't take that away, no, you can't take that away
All my life, I wondered why it couldn't be this way
That was up until today, oh, it had to be this way
Today, wait until the morning comes
Without permission, without suspicion
Without permission given
You seem to have a friendlier smile than all the rest
Well, I looked and you were best, yeah, I looked at all the rest
You can't imagine passionate words that I would say
If only you would stay, oh, you know you gotta stay
And today, wait until the morning comes
Before you slip away
Without permission, above suspicion
Without permission given
You used to be an early bird but how was I to know
You would leave without shedding a tear
I only want to love you, I'll make a wish
And suddenly I'm glad that I have you here
Oh, I'm glad I have you here today
To me you are the loveliest thing I've seen all day
And you can't take that away, no, you can't take that away
But all my life, I wondered why it couldn't be this way
That was up until today, yeah, it had to be this way
Today, wait until the morning comes
Before you slip away, today, oh
Before you slip away
Without permission, above suspicion
Without permission given to you
In "Loveliest Thing," Paul McCartney expresses his admiration and attraction towards someone whom he considers the loveliest thing he has seen all day. He emphasizes that nothing can take away the beauty that has captivated him, and how he has been waiting for this moment. The song also highlights the fear of losing someone, even if it's just for a night, and how he wishes for them to stay longer. McCartney praises the person, complimenting their smile and admitting that he has feelings for them. He pleads with them not to leave without permission or suspicion, showing his vulnerability and fear of rejection.
The song is a perfect example of McCartney's skills as a songwriter, as the lyrics are simple yet expressive and relatable. The melody and snap of the beat make it a joyous song but the lyrics reveal the hidden anxieties of love, vulnerability, and insecurity.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two
Introductory statement to begin the song
To me you are the loveliest thing I've seen all day
Expressing how special and beautiful the singer find the subject of the song
You can't take that away, no, you can't take that away
Asserting that others cannot diminish the singer's feelings and admiration
All my life, I wondered why it couldn't be this way
Reflecting on how the singer has always hoped to find such a lovely thing in life
That was up until today, oh, it had to be this way
Acknowledging that this day is special because the singer finally found what they were seeking
Today, wait until the morning comes
Encouraging the subject of the song to spend more time with the singer
Before you slip away
Encouraging the subject not to leave or disappear
Without permission, without suspicion
Describing a possible way of how the subject could simply disappear unnoticed
Without permission given
Re-emphasizing that the singer wants the subject to stay with their consent
You seem to have a friendlier smile than all the rest
Complimenting the subject's smile and distinguishing them as different from others
Well, I looked and you were best, yeah, I looked at all the rest
Confirming that the subject is truly exceptional compared to others observed by the singer
You can't imagine passionate words that I would say
Expressing how intense and emotional the singer's words and feelings are for the subject
If only you would stay, oh, you know you gotta stay
Urging the subject to remain with the singer so that their connection can grow stronger
You used to be an early bird but how was I to know
Reflecting on how the subject used to be different and how surprising it is for the singer
You would leave without shedding a tear
Suggesting that the subject might leave without showing any emotions, making it difficult for the singer to understand
I only want to love you, I'll make a wish
Expressing the singer's desire to only love the subject and to make a wish for their relationship to grow
And suddenly I'm glad that I have you here
Expressing how happy and grateful the singer is to have the subject in their life
Oh, I'm glad I have you here today
Reaffirming the singer's happiness and gratitude for the subject's presence
Today, wait until the morning comes
Repeating the singer's previous encouragement for the subject to spend more time together
Before you slip away, today, oh
Repeating the singer's previous urging for the subject not to leave without spending more time together
Without permission, above suspicion
Repeating the singer's description of how the subject could disappear without notice or consent
Without permission given to you
Repeating the singer's desire for the subject to stay with their consent and will
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
King Dave
“Loveliest Thing” is love song written by McCartney, recorded in 1986, and finally released in 1989 as the B-Side of the “Figure Of Eight” CD single.
While promoting “Press To Play” in New York City in August 1986, Paul went into the studio with producer Phil Ramone (who previously worked with Paul the previous year on the “Spies Like Us” single). Phil Ramone was at this time producing Billy Joel ; and as a result, Billy Joel’s band played on the two songs worked on during those sessions – “Beautiful Night” and “Loveliest Thing“.
Beyond those initial sessions, there are conflicting views on how “Loveliest Thing” took its final form for its 1989 release:
On the “Pizza & Fairytales” bootleg by Vigotone, the liner notes mention some overdubs being done in June 1987 (still with Phil Ramone).
On the book “Paul McCartney – Recording sessions (1969-2013)” by Luca Perasi, overdubs sessions are placed in June-July 1988 (at Hog Hill Studio)
Finally, on “Flowers In The Dirt” re-released in 2017, no overdubs are mentioned ; with final mix placed in August 1986, following a day of recording.
JOHA ッ
To me you are the loveliest thing I've seen all day
You can't take that away
No, you can't take that away
All my life, I wondered why it couldn't be this way
That was up until today
Oh it had to be this way
Today, wait until the morning comes
Before you slip away
Without permission
Without suspicion
Without permission given
You seem to have a friendlier smile than all the rest
Well I looked and you were best
Yeah i've looked at all the rest
You can't imagine passionate words that I would say
If only you would stay
Oh you know you gotta stay
Today, wait until the morning comes
Before you slip away
Without permission
Without suspicion
Without permission given
You used to be and early bird
But how was I to know you would leave without shedding a tear
I only want to love you
I'll make a wish and suddenly I'm glad that I have you here
Oh I'm glad I have you here
Today
To me you are the loveliest thing I've seen all day
And you can't take that away
No, you can't take that away
All my life, I wondered why it couldn't be this way
That was up until today
Yeah, it had to be this way
Today, wait until the morning comes
Before you slip away, today
Before you slip away
Without permission
Without suspicion
Without permission given to you, ah
Gabriela L
Recently, I discovered this song in a Facebook group and I must to say: WHAT A PRECIOUS SONG! That's a pity that it's a underrated song but it's understandable because it hasn't in any album or streaming platform... anyway, what a great treasure find these type of songs, it's a friendly reminder for myself that Paul is the best songwriter in the music history. A wonderful man with too many creativity and a powerful voice
Sungodv
I miss this voice, I never thought he would lose it...
F B
We love him anyway
English For Travelers
Unfortunately, we won't hear any new songs with this voice any more 😔.
shelley
Yet another underrated Paul McCartney gem!! i don't think i'll ever stop discovering them. I really wish this song was released on an album so I could listen to it on spotify.
Jacqueline Lissenberg
Never heard this song before. It’s beautiful.
Silvio Pomanti
It sounds very strange how a beautiful like this was not included in the official album Flowers in the Dirt.
F B
One of my favourite hidden gems from Paul.
Janet Sampson
As a singer songwriter I know that not every song you make is great,sometimes they're pretty good,sometimes they're just OK and other times they're total clunkers but with Paul McCartney the majority of what he makes is great!,the man is just so gifted it's almost unfair. Bob.
Ethan Tough
i totally agree, i'm a songwriter aswell btw, Paul doesnt even have to try to make a good song, it just comes out, he could just be goofing around and being silly then the next day its a masterpiece and its really unusual, i couldn't name another artist who has the same effect. Paul is so unique, original and talented that it always comes out in his songs, he really is the best songwriter of all time, like if anyone disagrees just look at his material. His unreleased/bonus songs, would be on another artists best of album if they recorded it