10 Perfect Soft Rock Music Albums Of The '80s

Paul McCartney's third LP caught him at a challenging time in his life. The year prior saw Wings, his follow-up group after The Beatles, officially dissolve after multiple line-up changes through the years. In a much darker turn, the album also marked McCartney's first release following the tragic death of John Lennon.

After years of more polarizing efforts, 'Tug of War' saw McCartney finally win over critics once again. Impressed by the album's production value, high-quality songwriting, and general consistency, many looked at the LP as a long sought after return to form for the popular Liverpudlian.

Lead single 'Ebony and Ivory', a duet between McCartney and iconic singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, proved to be a seminal hit. At a glance, the imagery and lyricism on offer is simply a fun nod to the keys on the piano. However, this is of course just a thin veil for a tune far more focused on the essential importance of racial equality.

The titular track has often been compared to Lennon's classic 'Imagine'. The lyrics see McCartney in a more tortured soul place than usual, focusing on the struggle to survive and the longing for an easier time in life. Its melody sees McCartney at his absolute best on the soft rock front, blending the genre with symphonic rock for a startling but effective contrast. It's a great showcase of what makes this such a strong contribution to soft rock's finest decade in the sun.