The Words and Music of Paul McCartney

This examination of the solo music of Paul McCartney, from 1970-2007, offers an analysis of his songs, recordings, and his impact on popular music. The Words and Music of Paul McCartney: The Solo Years examines the large and varied oeuvre of this deeply personal artist, showing how McCartney's stint as a Beatle continues to inform his solo music, as well as how he has transcended his days as a member of the Fab Four. After a biographical introduction, chronologically arranged chapters explore McCartney's music in the immediate aftermath of the breakup of the Beatles, his work with Wings during the 1970s, his collaborations with other artists during the 1980s, and his compositions of the 1990s, including his first forays into classical music. The examination also covers McCartney's critically acclaimed work in the first decade of the 21st century, including Memory Almost Full and Ecce Cor Meum, a composition written in the style of sacred English choral music. Throughout, the book supplies analytical insights and historical background to a repertoire that, surprisingly, has not previously been covered in detail.

Vincent P. Benitez, PhD, is assistant professor of music at The Pennsylvania State University.

Series Foreword by James E. Perone Acknowledgments Introduction: A Biographical Sketch of Paul McCartney Childhood and Youth, 1942-57 The Beatle Years, 1957-70 Wings, 1971-80 Collaborations and an Oratorio, 1981-96 Solo Work and More Classical Music, 1997-2007 Scope and Organization of This Book 1. The Remaking of a Beatle: Paul McCartney as Solo Artist, 1970-71 McCartney (1970) Ram (1971) 2. Paul McCartney and Wings, 1971-74 Wings Wild Life (1971) Red Rose Speedway (1973) Live and Let Die (1973) Band on the Run (1973) 3. Paul McCartney and Wings, 1975-80 Venus and Mars (1975) Wings at the Speed of Sound (1976) London Town (1978) Back to the Egg (1979) 4. Collaborating with Others, 1980-89 McCartney II (1980) Tug of War (1982) Pipes of Peace (1983) Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984) and Spies Like Us (1985) Press to Play (1986) Flowers in the Dirt (1989) 5. Classical Music, Beatles Reunion, and Musical Roots, 1991-99 The Liverpool Oratorio (1991) Off the Ground (1993) The Beatles Anthology (1995-97) Flaming Pie (1997) Standing Stone (1997) 6. Renewal, 2000-2007 Driving Rain (2001) Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005) Ecce Cor Meum (2006) Memory Almost Full (2007) 7. Popular Music Icon Glossary of Technical Terms Selected Discography/Videography Notes Selected Bibliography Index