Paul McCartney: McCartney

In 1970, amidst all sorts of Beatle squabbling, Paul McCartney borrowed some recording equipment from EMI and headed for his home in Scotland. While there he recorded material that would ultimately be released as his first solo album. He and his family decided to spend some time alone, out of the public eye, which led to the "Paul is dead rumor" (which is a story for another time).

On this, his first solo album, Paul included 14 tracks:

1. The Lovely Linda

2. That Would Be Something

3. Valentine Day

4. Every Night

5. Hot As Sun

6. Glasses

7. Junk

8. Man We Was Lonely

9. Oo You

10. Momma Miss America

11. Teddy Boy

12. Singalong Junk

13. Maybe I'm Amazed

14. Kreen-Akrore

About half the songs were instrumentals. A few were Beatle leftovers. Paul wrote all the songs, played all the instruments and sang all the vocals except for a few backing vocals that were added by his wife, Linda. The album has a "homey" feel. He recorded the songs in the living room of his Scottish house. You can hear the kids in the background and Linda cooking, all of this background noise was left in on purpose. Many critics are torn on how to rate this album. On the one hand you have some sincere, from the heart music which although not polished certainly sounds good. On the other hand you have a number of tracks that sound half finished or like demos of songs.

Whether you find this album charming or unfinished nonsense, most people agree that the song Maybe I'm Amazed is McCartney's first major song on his own. It is written for his wife Linda and it shows how he was feeling as the world he knew (The Beatles) was crumbling around him.

This is still one of my favorite McCartney songs. It's a great piano number with an outstanding guitar solo. Many people like Jimmy McCulloch's Wings version of the solo, but I prefer Paul's more raw original. The solo the way Paul played it has emotion and power.

Maybe I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney

baby, i'm amazed at the way you love me all the time,

and maybe i'm afraid of the way i leave you.

maybe i'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time,

you hung me on the line.

maybe i'm amazed at the way i really need you.

baby, i'm a man, maybe i'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something

that he doesn't really understand.

baby, i'm a man,

and maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.

baby, won't you help me to understand?

ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.