10 Incredible Paul McCartney Songs You’ve Never Heard
Over half a century’s worth of overlooked gems from the former Beatle.
Rock ’n’ Roll was supposed to be a young man’s game. So much so that no one expected ageing rockstars to still be producing records in their twilight years. Beatle Paul McCartney imagined that at 64 he’d be retired, looking after the grandkids with his wife (who, according to his lyric, is responsible for feeding him. Come on Sir Paul, it’s not the '60s anymore. You can do your bit in the kitchen).
Now 77, McCartney is still putting off that retirement, still releasing new albums. Even if you discount The Beatles, between solo records, Wings albums and his collaborations with Youth as The Fireman, he’s made a whopping 28 studio albums, a lot for even the most dedicated fan to keep up with.
Even fewer will find the time to delve into Paul’s various B-sides, outtakes, and rarities. Which is a real shame, because some of Macca’s most obscure releases are absolute gems that other artists would release as a single or make the centrepiece of an album.
Of course you don’t have to sift through box sets or bootlegs to hear these hidden gems for yourself. Not when we’ve already compiled them into a handy list for you.
10. In Spite Of All The Danger
Paul McCartney’s first ever co-writing credit was for In Spite Of All The Danger. He recorded the song, alongside his fellow proto-Beatles, The Quarrymen. It was also his first song pressed to vinyl, a single copy to be shared between the group’s members.
It’s a fascinating listen, capturing an embryonic talent, in thrall to his influences. George Harrison is given a co-writing credit for providing the basic but charming guitar solo.
Missing for decades, you can now find the song on The Beatles’ Anthology 1. The charm shines through a layer of Jesus and Mary Chain fuzz on the old, deteriorated recording. Check out those sweet backing vocals.
The cult cool of this Beatles obscurity has also resulted in a plethora of cover versions, if you’re looking for a slightly more polished production. Most versions are tasteful, faithful renditions of McCartney’s original song, spanning every style from country tinged rock ’n’ roll to rock ’n’ roll flavoured country. All the same, you can’t beat the authentic sound of actual, hopeful, young Beatles.