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.
The Girl Is Mine
Paul McCartney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I met her from the start
I'm so proud I am the only one
Who is special in her heart
The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
I know she's mine
I don't understand the way you think
Saying that she's yours not mine
Sending roses and your silly dreams
Really just a waste of time
Because she's mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
I love you more than he
(Take you anywhere)
Well I love you endlessly
(Loving we will share)
So come and go with me
Two on the town
But we both cannot have her
So it's one or the other
And one day you'll discover
That she's my girl forever and ever
I don't build your hopes to be let down
'Cause I really feel it's time
I know she'll tell you I'm the one for her
'Cause she said I blow her mind
The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
She's mine, she's mine
No, no, no, she's mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
The girl is mine, (yep) she's mine
The girl is mine, (yep) she's mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
Michael, we're not going to fight about this, okay
Paul, I think I told you, I'm a lover not a fighter
I've heard it all before, Michael, she told me that I'm her forever lover
You know, don't you remember?
Well, after loving me, she said she couldn't love another
Is that what she said?
Yes, she said it, you keep dreaming
I don't believe it
The girl is mine (mine, mine, mine)
The song "The Girl is Mine" by Paul McCartney is a duet with Michael Jackson, released in 1982 on McCartney's album 'Thriller'. The lyrics of the song depict a competitive conversation between the two men about a girl who they both claim to be in love with. In the first verse, McCartney talks about how the girl appears in his dreams and how he takes pride in the fact that he holds a special place in her heart. The chorus and subsequent verse has McCartney confidently asserting that the girl is his and not Michael's, and that he believes Michael's attempts to win her over are in vain. The final verse has the two singers trying to come to a resolution, with McCartney stating that he knows the girl will eventually choose him in the end.
The lyrics of the song have been interpreted in a number of ways. Some have analyzed it to be a metaphor for the tensions between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones during the 1960s. Others have suggested that the song is meant to represent the trivialities of male ego and the objectification of women. McCartney has stated that the song was simply meant to be a light-hearted tale of two guys fighting over a girl.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night she walks right in my dreams
I dream about her every night since the day we met.
Since I met her from the start
I've been dreaming about her since I first met her.
I'm so proud I am the only one
I feel special because I am the one she loves.
Who is special in her heart
She loves me more than anyone else.
The girl is mine
She belongs to me.
The doggone girl is mine
I'm really serious about it.
I know she's mine
I'm absolutely sure she's mine.
I don't understand the way you think
I don't get why you're trying to claim her.
Saying that she's yours not mine
You're saying that she loves you, not me.
Sending roses and your silly dreams
All your efforts are just a waste of time.
Really just a waste of time
Everything you're doing is pointless.
Don't waste your time
Stop trying to compete with me.
I love you more than he
I love her more than you do.
(Take you anywhere)
I can take care of her the best.
Well I love you endlessly
My love for her is infinite.
(Loving we will share)
We can share our love for her.
So come and go with me
We can have a good time together.
Two on the town
Just the two of us going out.
But we both cannot have her
We can't both be with her.
So it's one or the other
One of us has to give up.
And one day you'll discover
You'll realize she's mine.
That she's my girl forever and ever
She'll always be mine.
I don't build your hopes to be let down
I don't want to give you false hope.
'Cause I really feel it's time
I think it's time for you to accept the truth.
I know she'll tell you I'm the one for her
She'll confirm that she loves me more.
'Cause she said I blow her mind
She says I'm amazing.
She's mine, she's mine
I won't let you have her.
No, no, no, she's mine
I won't back down from this.
Michael, we're not going to fight about this, okay
Let's not get into a fight over her.
Paul, I think I told you, I'm a lover not a fighter
I don't want to fight, I just love her too.
I've heard it all before, Michael, she told me that I'm her forever lover
I've heard this from her too, and she loves me more.
You know, don't you remember?
You know it's true, don't you?
Well, after loving me, she said she couldn't love another
She said she'd never love anyone else after me.
Is that what she said?
Is that really what she said?
Yes, she said it, you keep dreaming
She really said it, you're in denial.
I don't believe it
I refuse to accept it.
(yep)
I'm not joking.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Joe Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martheresa7550
Joy Stinson ) Michael Jackson purchased the ATV catalog ($48 million in 1985 or 1993) which contained, Elvis, The Beatles, Lil Richard and a few other groups I don't remember (its $50 billion worth of music today). This allowed Michael Jackson to be the soul beneficiary of the labor from white legends. This is a problem for the racist at the top of the music industry.
2) Sony approached him to sell them the catalog, but he refused and only offered partial ownership if they agreed to deliver partial ownership of their entire catalog. Because they wanted The Beatles and Elvis so bad they agreed, however they never intended to maintain this arrangement.
3) The plan was to get Michael to ultimately sell his 50% stake back to them so they would re-acquire 100% of their own publishing + ATV from Michael. Of course, in order to sell the publishing Michael would need to have a need for money.
4) The 1st allegations come shortly after this deal in an effort to compromise Michael's ability to earn by destroying his public image. (He wouldn't sell)
5) Sony fails to properly promote his next album. (He wouldn't sell)
6) A second round of allegations come that lead to acquittal in court. (He wouldn't sell).
7) By this time Micahel actually does have an additional need for money after attorney fes and inactivity. Instead of selling the catalog he decides to go on one final tour called "This is It". He agreed to 10 shows, which would have been enough to clear debts and cover expenses and not need to sell his publishing stake.
8) Somehow promoters were able to bump the show number up from 10 - 50, which Micahel did not agree to. I imagine this was to make him cancel the show agreement and have to sell his publishing. Instead, he prepared to go on anyway.
9) Days before the tour begins Michael Jackson is found dead. Shortly thereafter, the Jackson Family sells his 50% stake (worth $50 Billion) back to Sony for a measley $750 M. Smh... That's like receiving $0.75 on a $50 transaction.
This is the reality of the death Michael Jackson (which btw was deemed a homicide or manslaughter), which cannot be accurately understood without and understanding of the business of music and music publishing or the historically unfair treatment of black artist by their record companies.
@sou_r1
Lyrics:
Every night she walks right in my dreams
Since I met her from the start
I'm so proud I am the only one
Who is special in her heart
The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
I know she's mine
Because the doggone girl is mine
I don't understand the way you think
Saying that she's yours not mine
Sending roses and your silly dreams
Really just a waste of time
Because she's mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
I love you more than he
(Take you anywhere)
But I love you endlessly
(Loving we will share)
So come and go with me
Two on the town
But we both cannot have her
So it's one or the other
And one day you'll discover
That she's my girl forever and ever
Don't bulid your hopes to be let down
'Cause I really feel it's time
I know she'll tell you I'm the one for her
'Cause she said I blow her mind
The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
She's mine, she's mine
No, no, no, she's mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
The girl is mine, (yep) she's mine
The girl is mine, (yes) she's mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
Michael, we're not going to fight about this, okay
Paul, I think I told you, I'm a lover not a fighter
I've heard it all before Michael, she told me that I'm her forever lover, you know, don't you remember
Well, after loving me, she said she couldn't love another
Is that what she said
Yes, she said it, you keep dreaming
I don't believe it
The girl is mine (mine, mine, mine)
@user-pr1ol9yx3d
Fun Fact: Michael described the recording of this song as one of the most enjoyable moments he had while working in the studio :)
@jaydenfeagaiga191
I can just imagine them making it, and it seems like it would have been fun
@indigofuego8605
You can hear it in his voice
@chadkaboom7221
Where's that from
@slupschuiters1774
If Toto members play on your album then I would be happy too.
@havoknkhaos91
I would feel the same lol getting to make art with a great one!!? Lol
@theblacktigerful
Paul & Michael in 1982: The Girl is Mine!
Paul & Michael in 1985: The Catalog is Mine!
@ethanang3527
This is their "girl" if you are in the music industry. Especially producing such a classic hit.
@mateolaracevallos1839
XD
@Itsnoahscott
Me in 2020: The goddamn girl is mine.