Paul McCartney is one of the most celebrated musicians in history, and his solo career proves he was never just a Beatle. After the band split in 1970, he went on to create songs that spanned rock, pop, folk, and even orchestral music.
From heartfelt love songs to chart-topping collaborations, his work continues to inspire fans around the world. These 13 songs capture the very best of what McCartney has given us outside of the Fab Four.
1. Maybe I’m Amazed
Few songs say “I love you” quite like this one. Written for his wife Linda during one of the most turbulent times of his life, “Maybe I’m Amazed” poured raw emotion into every note.
McCartney recorded it for his 1970 debut solo album, and it hit differently because it was so personal.
Music critics often call it his greatest solo achievement. The powerful vocal delivery and rolling piano chords make it impossible to forget once you’ve heard it.
2. Band on the Run
Recorded under some seriously tough conditions in Lagos, Nigeria, after half the band quit before the sessions even started, “Band on the Run” became McCartney’s comeback statement. The song shifts through three distinct musical sections, almost like a mini-movie in audio form.
Released in 1973, it reached number one in both the US and UK. Many music historians consider it the crown jewel of his post-Beatles output, full of ambition and grit.
3. Live and Let Die
When the producers of the James Bond film franchise asked McCartney to write the theme song, nobody quite expected something this explosive. “Live and Let Die” blends lush orchestral strings with hard rock energy in a way that still sounds thrilling today.
George Martin, who famously produced the Beatles, arranged the orchestral sections. The song earned McCartney an Oscar nomination and remains one of the most spectacular moments in any of his live shows.
4. Jet
Loud, fast, and completely irresistible, “Jet” is the kind of song that grabs you by the collar from the very first note. Also from the 1973 album Band on the Run, it showcases McCartney’s rock side in full force.
The song was reportedly named after a pet pony the McCartney family owned.
Its punchy guitar riff and driving rhythm made it a fan favorite on tour. It still sounds fresh and exciting decades after its release.
5. Mull of Kintyre
Picture rolling Scottish hills, bagpipes drifting through misty air, and McCartney singing about the place he truly called home. “Mull of Kintyre” was a 1977 single by Wings that became one of the best-selling singles in UK chart history at the time.
McCartney wrote it as a love letter to the Scottish peninsula where he owned a farm. Its folk warmth and genuine sincerity made it a holiday staple in Britain for years to come.
6. Coming Up
Quirky, funky, and oddly catchy, “Coming Up” caught even John Lennon off guard. According to legend, hearing this song on the radio inspired Lennon to return to recording after a five-year break.
That alone says something pretty remarkable about its energy.
McCartney played every instrument himself on the studio version, showing off his multi-instrumental skills. Released in 1980, it hit number one in the US and proved he could experiment boldly while still crafting a pop hit.
7. Ebony and Ivory
Pairing two of music’s most iconic voices on a song about racial harmony was bold, and it worked beautifully. McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded “Ebony and Ivory” in 1982, and it shot straight to number one in both the UK and US.
The piano keys metaphor at the heart of the song was simple but effective, making a powerful message feel warm rather than preachy. It remains one of the most recognizable pop duets ever recorded.
8. Say Say Say
The friendship between McCartney and Michael Jackson produced some genuinely fun music, and “Say Say Say” is the best example. Released in 1983, the song topped charts in multiple countries and came with a memorable music video featuring the two stars in a classic comedy scenario.
Jackson had actually purchased the rights to many Beatles songs around this time, which later strained their friendship. But the music itself?
Pure, joyful pop magic from two legends at their peak.
9. No More Lonely Nights
Written for the 1984 film “Give My Regards to Broad Street,” this ballad showed that McCartney’s voice could still carry enormous emotional weight well into his solo years. The song builds slowly and beautifully, with a guitar solo by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour that absolutely soars.
Lyrically, it captures the ache of longing in a way that feels timeless. It might not be his most famous solo track, but it’s one of his most genuinely moving performances.
10. Hope of Deliverance
Bright, breezy, and refreshingly optimistic, “Hope of Deliverance” arrived in 1993 from the album Off the Ground. McCartney stripped things back to a folksy, acoustic sound that felt like a deep breath of fresh air compared to the polished pop of his earlier 1980s work.
The song’s message about holding onto hope through difficult times resonated widely. Its gentle acoustic guitar and cheerful melody proved that McCartney could still write songs that felt completely genuine and effortlessly likable.
11. Fine Line
From the 2005 album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, “Fine Line” reminded the world that McCartney still had plenty of creative fire left. Produced by Nigel Godrich of Radiohead fame, the album had a more introspective sound, and this track stood out as its emotional centerpiece.
The song balances optimism with a quiet sense of vulnerability. Critics praised the album as one of his strongest in decades, and “Fine Line” captures exactly why that praise was well-deserved.
12. New
At 71 years old, McCartney released an album that felt genuinely youthful, and the title track “New” was proof that reinvention never gets old. The 2013 song had a retro-modern feel, blending classic pop songwriting instincts with fresh, contemporary production.
It showed he was paying attention to what was happening in music without trying too hard to chase trends. Fans and critics alike responded warmly, celebrating the fact that one of rock’s greatest songwriters still had something exciting to say.
13. FourFiveSeconds
Nobody saw this collaboration coming, and that’s exactly what made it so exciting. McCartney teamed up with Rihanna and Kanye West in 2015 for “FourFiveSeconds,” a stripped-down acoustic track that introduced him to a whole new generation of listeners.
The song hit the top five in multiple countries and sparked countless social media reactions from younger fans who were surprised to learn who McCartney even was. It was a perfect reminder that great songwriting truly has no age limit.