10 Great Paul McCartney Solo Songs You Need To Listen To Right Now
1. I Don't Know (Egypt Station - 2018)
We end where we started; a song from Paul’s most recent release and it may be one of his best ever.
'I Don’t Know' is a truly beautiful song and one of the most powerful opening songs to any of Paul’s albums. Before you argue, we're not counting 'Opening Station' as the first song on this album. Why? Because it’s 41 seconds long and full of train sounds, that’s why.
A soft piano ballad that proves Paul is one of the best pop pianists of all time, 'I Don’t Know' explores the mind of man who is unsure of his place in life – he knows that he keeps making mistakes, but he doesn’t know why or how. A fear we have all experienced at some point in our lives.
Don’t fear for our protagonist though – “It’s alright/sleep tight” as Paul assures us in the song’s chorus, “I will take the strain.” A beautiful message – even when unsure of the future, Paul’s character knows that, no matter what, he will do what he can to keep the ones he loves safe, even in the darkest of times.
A self-reflective masterpiece, perhaps this is the first sign that time has caught up with Paul and now, as he nears his eighth decade on this planet, he is unsure of what his future holds. Paul has always appeared carefree in his life, living in the moment and enjoying life for what it is, but there comes a time in everyone’s life where they take stock of where they are and where they are going. Perhaps Sir Paul’s has come a little later than most.
Powerful, emotional, beautifully performed, written and produced, it’s the stand out of Egypt Station and ranks among Paul’s greatest solo creations.