McCartney is the debut solo album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 17 April 1970 by Apple Records. McCartney recorded it in secrecy, mostly using basic home-recording equipment at his house in St John's Wood. Mixing and some recording took place at professional London studios. In its loosely arranged performances, McCartney eschewed the polish of the Beatles' past records in favour of a lo-fi style. Apart from occasional contributions by his wife, Linda, McCartney performed the entire album alone by overdubbing on four-track tape. McCartney recorded the album during a period of depression and confusion, following John Lennon's private departure from the Beatles in September 1969. Conflicts over the release of McCartney's album further estranged him from his bandmates, as he refused to delay the album's release to allow for Apple's previously scheduled titles, notably the Beatles' album Let It Be. A press release in the form of a self-interview supplied with UK promotional copies of McCartney led to the Beatles' break-up. McCartney received mostly negative reviews, while McCartney was vilified for seemingly ending the Beatles. The record was widely criticised for being under-produced and for its unfinished songs, although the ballad "Maybe I'm Amazed" was consistently singled out for praise. Commercially, McCartney benefited from the publicity surrounding the break-up; it held the number 1 position for three weeks on the US Billboard Top LPs before yielding that position to Let It Be. It peaked at number 2 in Britain. In later years, the album was credited for having had an impact on DIY musicians and lo-fi music styles. McCartney also recorded two successor albums: McCartney II (1980) and McCartney III (2020). In 2011, the first McCartney record was reissued with bonus tracks as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection.
I enjoyed this album a lot! It's impressive how this album really shows how much ahead of his time McCartney was in 1970. His first songs with more experimentalism mixed with some songs that still sounded Beatles-esque but included much more texture, which was really impressive. I hope to see more McCartney in the 1001 list because this is someone that deserves to be listened to.
say you want about this album being half baked but fuck you it’s Paul McCartney you dumb fuck. these songs are perfect just the way they are. they don’t need anything else. AND this is the first indie rock album…show some respect!!!!
As one of the components that make up The Beatles you’d expect a lot from a solo album from Paul McCartney, especially considering the time this was released was just after their critically acclaimed record ‘Abbey Road’. However, you find this album to be nothing like that, as Paul takes on his own approach to an album which ends up feeling pretty muddled. This album is a weird mix of instrumental tracks along with some lyrical tracks. Considering this is a self titled album, it’s strange that it’s confused on what it wants to be. For the first half it seems like McCartney is trying to do his best Elvis impression and it just feels so out of character, this is especially seen in ‘That Would Be Something’ which resembles Elvia’ ‘Kentucky Rain’ with McCartney’s strange vocal inflections added in, which end up being a running theme in this album with him singing along to the instrumentals multiple times which makes this feel like a live recording. The best song here is ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ by a country mile as you can actually hear Paul put in some soul into this track, plus the guitar is fantastic. It’s then just a shame that the album ends on this unique drum solo and McCartney breathing which I don’t think he has a right to do considering he barely put any effort into the vocals throughout this album. I did just find this album a bit boring, the first couple of tracks put me off so much that the none of the rest of the album really made me feel like I would thoroughly enjoy this album. I’d come back to 1 or 2 songs but for the rest of the album I’d just listen to some Elvis instead. 2/5
More like a sketchbook than an album
Ja, ik vind dus leuke muziek. Geinig dat dit eerste post-Beatles-album meteen al klinkt als een solo-Paul McCartney-plaat. De kenmerkende samenzang is weg en in plaats daarvan horen we Paul lekker aanklooien in zijn huisstudio, en af en toe komt Linda hem een kopje thee brengen. Ik ga (denk ik) niet alle McCartney-platen vijf sterren geven, maar ook deze keer kan ik het niet laten.
I appreciate his down to earth, self recorded lo-fi approach. He didn't need to prove anything to anybody at this point, and instead we get a more intimate view into his musical life - just jamming with himself - playing all the instruments like it's no thing.
This was an interesting album - lo-fi, homemade, pretty much just a jam session of an album from the early days of lo-fi music. It's an intimate peer into McCartney's musical life, fully produced by just him, and performed by just him with the addition of some harmony vocals from his wife, overdubbed onto four-track tape. Originally viewed very negatively and vilified for seemingly killing The Beatles, this record was eventually credited for its influence on DIY and Lo-Fi music. The story of this one is just as interesting as the album itself, and honestly I thought the album was great too. It's a nice and pleasant rock jam - It may seem rough and unfinished, like a collection of demos, but a lot of charm comes from that. It doesn't try to be anything more - at this point he didn't need to prove anything to anyone, besides proving to himself that he would survive in his post-Beatles future, and I think that's beautiful. Favourite: That Would Be Something
Some great songs and some okay. Overall really enjoyed
McCartneys first home-made album and it shows. Production is patchy and the drums in particular are plodding. But there are some wonderful highlights - Every night, Maybe I'm amazed, Junk, That would be something. Four-and-a-half stars.
mi amigo PAULO
This dude loved his wife I love this era of McCartney there’s just no fat on any song, in and out, all hooks
Wel oké. Iets minder zweverig dan wat de Beatles zijn. En wat meer bluesrock achtig
Surprisingly I loved this.
moglo je i bolje, al opet...moglo je i gore. dobar 3.5.
Ramshackle, melodic beauty from the most melodic of the best band ever.
Un manifest a l'alçada d'un geni. Fotos familiars, so lo-fi i cançons que van des la magnificiència de 'Maybe I'm Amazed' a la solvència de 'Teddy Boy', passant per exercicis inacabats, esbossos i experiments. Res més allunyat de la grandiloqüència de 'All Things Must Pass' o l'ambició de 'Plastic Ono Band'. Demostra la seguretat en les capacitats d'un mateix i el compromís només amb la pròpia creativitat
Very charming and quaint listen. I've always been a fan of the McCartney sound and Junk and Teddy Boy are great examples of it. There's a lot of love and heart in these simple songs.
good
Mostly light and fun and tuneful. Charmingly rough around the edges and tossed-off, with some winningly greasy/honky bits (e.g., "Momma Miss America") -- one has never dug the sickly-sweet and perfectionist Paul. The more polished "Maybe I'm Amazed" has never sounded better, shining through like a sunburst at the end.
This is like a 3 or 3.5 for me. It has some really good songs and some really average ones too. Paul is my favorite Beatle so he gets a 4.
It sounds like an album of Beatles demos or unreleased tracks. McCartney is a legendary songwriter and can churn out incredible melodies with such ease. That's definitely the case here, but his worst songwriting tendencies are also at play here. The album lacks direction and polish, the finishing touch that made his songs with The Beatles so special. I spent most of the album waiting for Maybe I'm Amazed.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Man we was lonely, Singalong junk, Maybe I’m amazed
pas son meilleur mais bon
Album de nice guy
dimi zegt echt fucking slecht maat ouwe rakker maar decent album hoor goed voor op het werk.
For some reason I always thought Paul's solo albums would be boring and I was so wrong. Loved it
Brilliant album! Maybe I'm Amazed may be my favourite solo Beatles song and it's definitely my favourite solo Paul McCartney song
Surprisingly, I liked McCartney more than I thought I would. I know Paul is talented, but I have had a hard time exploring his work post Beatles. "Maybe I'm Amazed" was the only track from this album that I've heard before, which felt like the most Beatles-esque of the tracks but not necessarily my favorite track on the album. I particularly enjoyed the instrumentals and the tracks that dipped into blues (e.g., "Valentine Day"). I rated side two higher than side 1, but the whole album consistently rose above good. "That Would Be Something" dipped down in to the "okay, I guess" range. I could probably come back to find out what I missed the first time.
This is really good. Some amazing stuff on there. Was a bit weird the wide range of styles on there, I kind of feel that an album shouldn't just be loads of random different styles but then again they are all great.
Honestly it isn't mad how many songs PM wrote, like its actually unbelievable this amount of stuff came from one brain. This was a wonderful album, some real highlights were Maybe I'm Amazed. A fantastic mix of warm styles
I rarely listen to McCartney albums but when I do I really love it! This is just one of those annual reminders to listen to his best albums again. This is a corker, classic McCartney song-writing story-telling and also just stringing nonsense together to make some nice art. The unique riffs, melodies, lyrics and sounds somehow all have a signature McCartney vibe which I can't put my finger on which brings it all together and makes it so clearly his. Love Man we was Lonely, Singalong Junk. A great time listening to this.
Pop rock blues. Interesante.
The great thing about this album is that it shows just how weird Paul McCartney is. He made an album that many saw at the time as unfinished that spanned multiple genres and wasn't afraid to lean into the saccharine. It is at times conventional and at times experimental and somehow remains so distinctly McCartney. His gift for melody is unmatched and I really like how homemade this album is. It's not his best work, but there is a lot of joy in this album that is hard to ignore.
Sweeter than expected and as much of an easygoing treat as I hoped. The record runs short, and within there's plenty of variation on short; Guitar solo's pretty nice; Melancholy tempers the effect just enough. Music's never finished, a recording-based project tends to obscure.
Every song is good, but as a whole, I think it could have better organization. Kind of feels like a collection of Beatles leftovers.
I was absolutely going to make a joke about how Macca Two better be on this list if you’re gonna include One and Ram. But Ram isn’t even on this list. Tug of War? Nope! What is this f-ing list without Ram?
I can see why this album was so hated when it came out since everyone basically expected another Beatles album and also blamed Paul for the breakup, but this was a really great standalone album. It’s admirable that Paul decided to go so far in his own direction with a lofi, one man production that still has the trademark Beatles songwriting but in Paul’s own way. Every night was the standout for me.
Maybe I’m Amazed is a great song but otherwise there isn’t much substance to this album. I could see myself listening to it if I was in the right mood but it’s not an everyday sort of album for me. 7/10
te quiero mucho paul mccartney 8/10
Instrumentalisierung groovy
This is a beautiful collection of strange mismatched songs that are held together by the fact they are all odd ducks. The songwriting feels easy, fun, and effortless while still remaining elegant. It’s really a great album, but there isn’t too much substance; some, but not enough for a fiver. 4/5
Maybe I’m amazed at how some of these songs are so good and some as so pished
His first album post-Beatles could not be more unlike the Beatles if he tried. As a Beatles fan - and a McCartney fan I was looking forward to hearing this album, since I really never heard it before. I was more into the later McCartney stuff. Good? Yes, Different? Definitely. I can see this being a great album, after I get used to it but for now, on this first listen, I'll leave it a 3/5.
Honnêtement un peu déçu, j'ai trouvé la majorité de l'album très fade, manquait de mordant, les compositions étaient un peu ininspirées. On est loin de Band on the Run. Le seul highlight de l'album est Maybe I'm Amazed. 5/10
The real genius level of Paul McCartney is on display in the fact that Maybe I'm Amazed almost carries this whole album - but not quite. None of the rest of it really stuck for me (though none of itnis bad), and it seems like an odd pick for this already over-represented artist.
I was going to completely dismiss this as unformed drivel on first listen, with the exception of Maybe I'm Amazed, which we all know and accept for the masterpiece that it is. But on second listen I started to enjoy it a bit more. Third listen was pleasant too. I do still think there are a lot of raw, unformed ideas here that haven't been fully realized. The odd Elvis like affectation of the phrase "mama" as a term of endearment is still a bizarre choice to me. It's been peppered into a few tracks and I have to wonder what that's all about. Is he emulating Elvis? Mocking him? I'm not quite sure. But it's not a colour that suits McCartney. It is a listenable and enjoyable album. But is it impactful? No.
I absolutely LOVE McCartney. He is possibly my favorite musician of all time. But I'm shocked to see this album make the list. It is far from his best output. In fact, this album has often felt like a collection of outtakes to me. There are some gems here to be sure -- "Maybe I'm Amazed" is one of his best tracks, "Every Night" is lovely, and it's fun to see old Beatles castoffs like "Junk" and "Teddy Boy" finally released. But as a whole, the album just doesn't come together all that well.
Better than I thought it was going to be!
Suspect this is included more because of who they are, rather than the music
nix besonderes
This feels like a collection of demos. It seems very simple, direct and, in places, unfinished. No doubt this was an artistic choice by McCartney. I liked it. It's interesting to have an insight interesting the workings of one of the all time great song writers. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Maybe I'm Amazed Date listened: 27/05/23
Yeah, this is kind of surprisingly low-key isn't it? Not at all what I was expecting. While nothing quite stood out in memory aside from "Maybe I'm Amazed," I have the suspicion that this is one of those albums that could reveal itself to be really rewarding once you've listened to it three or four times. Or not! Never can tell and who the hell does this McCartney bloke think he is anyway?
A pleasant but strangely inconsequential journey into McCartneydom. There are at least two albums in his catalogue that are nearing five star status - this isn't one of them. Nonetheless, nothing objectionable here. I like it well enough.
Nothing that really sticks with me, here, but pleasant to listen to all the same. I do like the lofi-ness of it and knowing that this is post-Beatles breakup gives it a little bit of heft. I'd listen again.
It’s ok. With “maybe I’m amazed” tucked in as the 84th song of the album
3.5 Between songs like Hey Jude, Blackbird, and his subsequent work with Wings, I’ve always considered Paul the best Beatle by a landslide, but the criticism I read surrounding this album reminded me that this is also the guy that gave us Wonderful Christmastime and Why Don’t We Do It in the Road? But come on, every great artist misses the mark once or twice in their career, and while Paul is certainly no exception, this album is not one of those times. Lazy and unfinished? By no means is it as polished as any of his work prior, but for me that’s the charm of it - it’s simple and earnest while still retaining elements of catchy songwriting, reminding me of why the guy is a musical icon in the first place. I’m not going to pretend anything here is mind-blowing by any means, but I can honestly say I had a really pleasant time listening throughout. Funny enough, the most popular track here, Maybe I’m Amazed, was actually my least favorite - it’s the cheesiest, poppiest track by far, and probably the closest thing to a Beatles song anywhere on the record. The drum-focused closing track Kreen-Akrore was also not a high point by any means, but with it all said and done, looking back, I can confidently say I had a good time - I would listen to this again over a Beatles album any day. Between this and Band and the Run, Paul has really surprised me with his post-Beatles work, and I’m starting to think that maybe the other guys (or at least John) were holding him back. Just like Band on the Run, I’m gonna score 3.5, but this could easily be a 4 for me on a good day. While maybe not a direct influence on any artists in particular, this feels like a musical milestone hinting towards the style of indie, lo-fi song production that was to come and that we still hear on platforms like Bandcamp today, reminding us that what makes a song great is not necessarily its quality of production, but a strong core idea paired with an impassioned performer. It’s also entirely possible that I just have bad taste in music.
Maybe I'm Amazed there was only one true standout on this otherwise average album. Would give 2.5 if possible.
A rush job produced to let the world think it was Paul's idea to break up the greatest rock band in history. You get the feeling Sir Paul spent more time on that bizarre self-interview he included with the album than he did on any of the songs. Maybe I'm Amazed is the one colossal banger here, but it's surpassed by the more lauded and known live version released years later. I'd argue the half assed rush job cost Paul's reputation for decades, as this fails in comparison by the solo efforts by John and George. There's magic within some of these tunes, like the aforementioned Maybe I'm Amazed. Paul just needed a little more time in the kitchen. Or another John Lennon to bounce a few ideas with while cooking.
Not his best work. Not even his best solo work. Strange inclusion. Best track: Maybe I'm Amazed
If it wasn’t for the Beatles breakup and his name recognition at the time, no way this album makes the list. Nothing exceptional or groundbreaking with this work that nobody else was already doing. With Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon at that time, I can’t see the must hear elements of this album. A good album, but purely included based on his name.
Not a big Lennon fan but now I think that he had a better career than McCartney, despite the pompousness of some of his songs. While Lennon successfully conquered the area of ballad, McCartney, at least in this album, seem to get lost in the area of folk (?) or something. Two minute songs are cool and all, but such dullness and aimlessness made them sound like outtakes. It's surprisingly mid, overall. The instrumental tracks are the most interesting ones imo. Those were the parts where I felt like he's actually forming an artistic statement.
Leuk plaatje!
Beetje hit-and-miss, dit album. Aantal prachtige nummers, waaronder meerdere die hij al tijdens de laatste Beatles jaren schreef maar nooit kwijt kon in de Beatles catalogus. Maar omdat er dus ook veel muzakkigs op staat maar 3 sterren.
Mooi om te horen wat er na breuk gebeurde, maar het is me toch te fragmentarisch. Mooie hoogtepunten zijn dan wel weer Junk en Maybe I'm Amazed. Daarom toch 3 sterren
Niet alles briljant, maar toch behoorlijk veel moois.
I have to confess that I have never heard this record in full. I am a huge fan of Sir Paul, and consider him to be my favorite Beatle - after many years of posing as a John guy. For obvious reasons, he's the most prolific of them all. This is a decent record overall.
One masterpiece Macca song.
I like the whole idea behind this album as well as most of the songs.
Ik luister het direct na The Boss en had vrij lage verwachtingen, maar het valt me alleszins mee. Het is wel een beetje suffe muziek voor op een braderie. Maar ach, we komen er vrij makkelijk doorheen, afgezien van nummer 7, dat het typische Yellow Submarine gedrocht op de plaat is. Ik twijfel nog een beetje tussen 2 en 3 sterren.
Wat rustige nummers en een enkele Beatles kloon, want dat stond nog niet genoeg in de lijst.... En af en toe een instrumentaal nummer. Dat laatste moet je waarderen van een Beatle. 2.5 ster.
its okay nothibg special really
Not as good as The Beatles
All of the individual output of the Beatles illustrates to me why they were as a group stronger than any individual member. Sometimes that tension of ideas can produce some interesting things that they'd never come up with on their own. There are interesting ideas overall, but I find it all pretty disappointing in comparison to the highs of the Beatles. McCartney's first solo-album: It's fine, but a bit straightforward. It feels like a regression.
I've never really given Paul's solo work a good listen, so this feels like new insight into his personality - some real goofiness unleashed. Some seemingly unfinished songs, some bizarre songs, almost joke songs. And then suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, there's "Maybe I'm Amazed" to blow you away. Then it's back to finger percussion on a suitcase or whatever is happening in the final track.
I've never really listened much to McCartney's solo career so this was an interesting one. I really enjoyed the silliness and the lo-fi unpolished vibe. For many other artists I think this type of album would've been a snooze but McCartney manages to keep it interesting. And just as this album starts to wander off in to demo-tape territory, comes "Maybe I'm amazed" which is such a treat and well produced to boot to cap off the album.
I don't know... I didn't really feel that much during the first playthrough to be honest. Definitely not bad, but nothing that stuck with me either except maybe Momma Miss America, which was a really cool song, but also completely different from the rest of the album. Maybe I just need to listen to it again, not sure.
oke leuk maar niets spectaculair
Good allround but lacks some outstanding songs.
Some night songs and I dig the lower fi sound quality.
Slightly shambolic. Maybe I'm Amazed by far the best track
An interesting listen. Not because of the music, but because of what it is. I'm ok with it being on this list. As for the music, from this distance it feels like a charming meander through a pretty art gallery highlighting some up and comers. A few things to really like, lots that is mostly fine, a few unfortunate missteps, and one genuine masterpiece towards the end. I actually enjoyed it more than I expected to, McCartney isn't usually my favorite. Maybe I'm Amazed bumps my rating from 2.5 to 3.
Gah, creaky cheesy guff - baby I'm amazed is catchy - the rest of the album is chirpy chappy McCartney chatter. Just full of slightly worse versions of baby I'm amazed really.
Clearly, this album is a mix and match collection of half cooked ideas. Maybe I'm Amazed is obviously the most famous one, but my favourite is Momma Miss America. It's obvious this album carries a lot of weight with Beatles fans, and it's also obvious it reeks of sheer brilliance. Alas, there is no escaping its under cooked delivery.
Look he's 1/4 of the Beatles so this album is at least 1/4 as good as a Beatles, which is pretty good. Is it essential? Probably not, but I do think it earns a spot on this list, and I was glad to listen to the whole thing.
Faul records Maybe I’m Amazed and then some other tracks that maybe could’ve amazed had they strangely been collaborated on with 2-3 other people?
A song that prominently featured heavy breathing pulled this from a 4 to a 3
ehh I mean it’s fine
Pop característico del Beatle, con un estilo tranquilo y sosegado. Alguna canción con algún tipo de innovación en cuanto al tipo de instrumento, pero en general, bastante común todo
Sounds a bit like demo recordings of rejected Beatles songs, aside from 'Maybe I'm Amazed' (which I honestly thought was a Beatles song until I listened to this) Its not a bad album, it'd make for good background music while relaxing in the sun. Solid songwriting. I've always much prefered George Harrison's solo catalogue though, it has more depth that McCartney's lacks.
A couple of standout tracks esp. 'Maybe I'm Amazed', but not a patch on what had gone before, or indeed what came after in the mid 1970s
I like the sound tones and lo-fi production, i just wish the songs were more fleshed out. The first solo Beatle album is probably something worth listening to, but it’s not a great album.
Vaguely pleasant but if didn’t have many actual songs
Pop-rock de McCartney. Ni fu ni fa.
Written while Macca was depressed from the Beatles break up. IT IS mostly collection of underworked so-so songs with the massive exception of Maybe I'm Amazed. (Which is awesome though there are better versions)
It's alright. Like most things with the Beatles, the worth is inflated because of the name attached to it, not because of the merit of the product.
3.5
While it can be extremely interesting to hear, at the end of the day, it's an immediately-post-Beatles McCartney kind of aimlessly fucking around. Of course, he'd strike absolute gold on "Maybe I'm Amazed", but taken as a whole, the project feels just as aimless as McCartney must have. Favorite tracks: "Maybe I'm Amazed", "Every Night", "Momma Miss America"
Some classics. Life beyond the Beatles.
7/10 Paul was all over the place on this album. It misses a direction path, but the songs on here are good and promising of an interesting solo career.
5/10. This album would never have made this list had it not been made by Paul McCartney. Charming enough, though.