The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present

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  • Create Date:2023-11-08 14:21:34
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Paul McCartney
  • ISBN:1324094095
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Summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A Washington Post Notable Book
Excerpted in The New Yorker
A work of unparalleled candor and splendorous beauty, The Lyrics celebrates the creative life and the musical genius of Paul McCartney through his most meaningful songs。 Finally in paperback and featuring seven new song commentaries, the #1 New York Times bestseller celebrates the creative life and unparalleled musical genius of Paul McCartney。

Spanning sixty-four years―from his early days in Liverpool, through the historic decade of The Beatles, to Wings and his solo career―Paul McCartney’s The Lyrics revolutionized the way artists write about music。 An unprecedented “triumph” ( Times UK), this handsomely designed volume pairs the definitive texts of over 160 songs with first-person commentaries on McCartney’s life, revealing the diverse circumstances in which songs were written; how they ultimately came to be; and the remarkable, yet often delightfully ordinary, people and places that inspired them。 The Lyrics also

· A personal foreword by McCartney
· An unprecedented range of songs, from beloved standards like “Band on the Run” to new additions “Day Tripper” and “Magical Mystery Tour”
· Over 160 images from McCartney’s own archives

Edited and introduced by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon, The Lyrics is the definitive literary and visual record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time。 165 images

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Reviews

Sunbern

Very insightful。 Five stars because well, it IS the Beatles。 This is something to own and savor。

Angela

I would say at least half of this masterpiece is lyrics/stories from Paul's time AFTER The Beatles, and it is amazing。 So many of the songs that he wrote after the Beatles breakup (including his VERY recent work) are so closely connected to his past。。。like 'Confidante' (references the council houses he lived in as a child in Liverpool), 'Do It Now' (picking up horse poo so his father could use it to fertilize the flowers), etc。 Plus, thanks to my Dad, I am pretty familiar with a lot of his post- I would say at least half of this masterpiece is lyrics/stories from Paul's time AFTER The Beatles, and it is amazing。 So many of the songs that he wrote after the Beatles breakup (including his VERY recent work) are so closely connected to his past。。。like 'Confidante' (references the council houses he lived in as a child in Liverpool), 'Do It Now' (picking up horse poo so his father could use it to fertilize the flowers), etc。 Plus, thanks to my Dad, I am pretty familiar with a lot of his post-Beatles work。Plus, I learned so much more about the songs he wrote during his Beatles fame。 Like the depth of 'Blackbird'。 Wow。 And 'Can't Buy Me Love' was written with a piano at the George V hotel in Paris。 And Golden Slumbers。。。written about Liverpool and the house he bought for his Dad after his fame which was 'not quite home'。 And 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is about a serial killer。 And how they could never really perform it live ha ha。 And how after all these years, he is still reminded every time that he writes a new song that John is not there to help him。 :( Also。。。don't be intimidated by the length。 The two volumes are almost 1,000 pages total, but there are TONS of pictures (including handwritten drafts of lyrics, etc。) so it goes quickly。 Definitely worth the read。 I am so grateful that I got to spend some time in Liverpool and London last month and just absorb everything Beatles related that I could!! Absolutely amazing。 Pure legends, and such a part of my childhood thanks to my Dad's albums that were always playing。 。。。more

Susannah

This is a lavishly produced, two-volume set that provides anecdotes and context for Paul McCartney's most well-known songs from his over sixty years in music。 The songs are listed alphabetically, and each set of lyrics is accompanied by images from McCartney's personal memorabilia, such as photographs and lyrics。 It is very interesting reading McCartney's comments on how the songs came about, and also having an insight into how he operates as a composer。 For him the music comes first, and then t This is a lavishly produced, two-volume set that provides anecdotes and context for Paul McCartney's most well-known songs from his over sixty years in music。 The songs are listed alphabetically, and each set of lyrics is accompanied by images from McCartney's personal memorabilia, such as photographs and lyrics。 It is very interesting reading McCartney's comments on how the songs came about, and also having an insight into how he operates as a composer。 For him the music comes first, and then the lyrics are chosen to ft the music。 A must read for any Beatles fan。 。。。more

Mark Hickman

A wide selection of Paul McCartney's lyrics during his time with The Beetles, Wings and solo with lots of insights about the inspirations, the events at those times, family memories and lots of photos past and present。 This book is a valuable insight into the world's most successful songwriter。 A must for all McCartney fans。 A wide selection of Paul McCartney's lyrics during his time with The Beetles, Wings and solo with lots of insights about the inspirations, the events at those times, family memories and lots of photos past and present。 This book is a valuable insight into the world's most successful songwriter。 A must for all McCartney fans。 。。。more

Jose Bucio

An excellent book collection by any standard。 For fans of The Beatles, this is a must have。 Paul’s stories behind from his most acclaimed songs such as Hey Jude and Eleanor Rigby to his lesser known tracks like With a Little Luck and On The Way are all packaged together in precise detail and love for the originals。 Not just are the stories behind the songs are here, but also pictures and interviews from back to the early 60s are included。 Explanations from lyric choices and chord progressions sh An excellent book collection by any standard。 For fans of The Beatles, this is a must have。 Paul’s stories behind from his most acclaimed songs such as Hey Jude and Eleanor Rigby to his lesser known tracks like With a Little Luck and On The Way are all packaged together in precise detail and love for the originals。 Not just are the stories behind the songs are here, but also pictures and interviews from back to the early 60s are included。 Explanations from lyric choices and chord progressions show the books’ importance in anyone exploring Paul’s or The Beatles’ catalogue for the first time or their repeated time doing so。 。。。more

Susan

I found this an interesting read, and especially so while listening to each song。I'm so struck by how creative a person Paul McCartney is。 In terms of Beatles songs and lyrics, he really was responsible for the lion's share of their body of work, though immensely inspired by John Lennon, and aided by their constant collaboration。 I found this an interesting read, and especially so while listening to each song。I'm so struck by how creative a person Paul McCartney is。 In terms of Beatles songs and lyrics, he really was responsible for the lion's share of their body of work, though immensely inspired by John Lennon, and aided by their constant collaboration。 。。。more

Judy

I loved this book! Paul’s voice comes through as he talks about where a lot of his lyrics came from and what they meant or didn’t mean。 A very enjoyable read。

Georgia

People have said they’d recommend this to a die hard Beatles fan。 I went in a casual fan and thoroughly enjoyed this。 Like me, if you are a songwriter or musician wanting to hone your craft, this is really a kick up the arse。 Reading this while listening to each song is the true experience I think Paul Muldoon envisioned。 https://open。spotify。com/playlist/3eZ。。。。 It’s refreshing for something as expansive as this to not be chronological, really makes the read quite dynamic。 So Paul as a songwrit People have said they’d recommend this to a die hard Beatles fan。 I went in a casual fan and thoroughly enjoyed this。 Like me, if you are a songwriter or musician wanting to hone your craft, this is really a kick up the arse。 Reading this while listening to each song is the true experience I think Paul Muldoon envisioned。 https://open。spotify。com/playlist/3eZ。。。。 It’s refreshing for something as expansive as this to not be chronological, really makes the read quite dynamic。 So Paul as a songwriter。 Now I’ve listened to a lot of his。 I love literary references and his storytelling。 And I think the confidence to use simple rhymes is underrated。 Some songs this style is remarkable but others, I feel it creates a emotional barrier, or with rhymes, ends up feeling derivative。 When he gets it right, they blossom into the greatest songs of all time。 He has an awareness of what will be a hit or not, despite his personal dictation on quality。 Some songwriters (cough cough Alan Hull) can write consistently amazing songs but are never sure which ones to promote。 Anyways, I digress。 The book encourages a critical ear。 I love these sort of contextual deep dives, because it demystifies the legend of Paul, while maintaining the upmost respect and awe。 With all the exceptional hits, there are dubs。 (I mean some are painful I’m not going to lie)。 Together, it balances out to create a whole story of an artist。 Not everything will be a masterpiece。 But if you’re prolific enough, you’ll find the gems。 Also, the image of young Paul and George really got me。 They’re just young lads, doing their thing and what they love。 Anyways, take your time with this one! It’s a ride! 。。。more

Doug Folks

If you are a writer of anything, but especially a song writer, you'll no doubt find this book fascinating。 And if you're a Paul McCartney/Beatles fan, it's a joy to read。 I found it so interesting how some of Paul's songs have no really meaning -- they're just good rhymes put together with great music。 Others are very specific。 His mom died when Paul was young, but he finds himself writing with her mind throughout his career。 "Martha My Dear" was inspired somewhat by his English Sheepdog Martha。 If you are a writer of anything, but especially a song writer, you'll no doubt find this book fascinating。 And if you're a Paul McCartney/Beatles fan, it's a joy to read。 I found it so interesting how some of Paul's songs have no really meaning -- they're just good rhymes put together with great music。 Others are very specific。 His mom died when Paul was young, but he finds himself writing with her mind throughout his career。 "Martha My Dear" was inspired somewhat by his English Sheepdog Martha。 And Jet (from Band on the Run) is the name of his Shetland pony。 I suggest reading the lyrics and the story behind them for a few songs, and then listen to those songs before moving on。 What a joy this book is。 。。。more

Ginni

I was delighted to find I could borrow this two volume ‘biography’ from my public library; I dipped into it initially, then it sat on the side table for months。 Finally I decided to just go for it, and what a treat。。。。the Beatles were my teenage years。 I was 12 in 1962, so they accompanied my adolescence and their music and personalities grew up with me。 And yes, Paul was my favourite (which one do you like? being the great cry among my female friends。)I especially enjoyed the photos and other m I was delighted to find I could borrow this two volume ‘biography’ from my public library; I dipped into it initially, then it sat on the side table for months。 Finally I decided to just go for it, and what a treat。。。。the Beatles were my teenage years。 I was 12 in 1962, so they accompanied my adolescence and their music and personalities grew up with me。 And yes, Paul was my favourite (which one do you like? being the great cry among my female friends。)I especially enjoyed the photos and other memorabilia - how lucky that Paul had Mike, his brother, as a photographer for his teenage years, and then Linda, who as well as documenting through photos, retrieved many pages of lyrics from the waste bins at Abbey Road studios and kept them。。。。mind you, Paul seems to be a hoarder too, with school exercise books and sketches preserved。I wish I’d known about the accompanying Spotify playlist, but I loved reading the lyrics, and felt this was a genius way of telling his own life story。 I did discover that I’ve been hearing some of the words wrong all these years。。。 。。。more

Lenore

Really a fun read。 Includes not only lyrics, but the story behind the song

Joshua Green

Effortlessly readable。 A beautiful book。 The closest we'll ever get to a Paul McCartney autobiography。 Effortlessly readable。 A beautiful book。 The closest we'll ever get to a Paul McCartney autobiography。 。。。more

Amy Libera

A must read for any Beatles fan

ejs

If you love the Beatles。。。McCartney, you will love the stories that come with his songs。

E G Melby

That was fun- and embarrassed to say I know more if his Beatles work than his solo stuff

Ani

Es una belleza y lo leí en digital! No imagino lo linda que debe ser la edición impresa。 Con tanto registro del propio Paul en su letra (es hermosa y el dice que le gusta escribir a mano, se nota!), cuadernos, dibujos, fotos y lo mejor, las anécdotas。 Las canciones son suyas pero él sabe que después de hacerlas públicas son de todos y cada uno lee o escucha lo que quiere en ellas。Tarde bastante porque iba escuchando las canciones a medida que las presentaba el libro, lo recomiendo! Le perdono qu Es una belleza y lo leí en digital! No imagino lo linda que debe ser la edición impresa。 Con tanto registro del propio Paul en su letra (es hermosa y el dice que le gusta escribir a mano, se nota!), cuadernos, dibujos, fotos y lo mejor, las anécdotas。 Las canciones son suyas pero él sabe que después de hacerlas públicas son de todos y cada uno lee o escucha lo que quiere en ellas。Tarde bastante porque iba escuchando las canciones a medida que las presentaba el libro, lo recomiendo! Le perdono que no haya incluido a mi favorita, My brave face。 Sin dudas no es su mejor canción pero es la que más me gusta。 Y me gusta que haya dicho que dejo de tocar la trompeta porque no podía cantar, salvando las distancias, hice lo mismo hace 30 años con el clarinete。 Lo abandoné para siempre y ahora solo canto。 “I like extraordinary people and things, but if people can be great and ordinary at the same time, that to me is kind of special。” 。。。more

KG

Reads like a biography。 Every song Mcartney hasn’t written has a story behind it told by Paul, himself。 Such a great reference for anyone who enjoys the Beatles or Paul’s other work。 Filled with pictures and anecdotes that paint a clear picture of periods in his life using his great gift of storytelling thru songwriting。

Hidde Andriessen

It took me unfortunately only 8 months to read it。 It was a great joy to go through it song by song。 I know the Beatles catalogue, but most of Wings and solo work was quiet new for me。 Listening to the music, reading the lyrics and then ready the story。 What a great way for a biography of one of the founders of modern music。 The mastery of song writing, the personal memories and the background of the historical events。 Great read!!

Kare

I'm glad that I read this book although it isn't what I expected。 I thought that reading The Lyrics would read like a book of poetry, but I became fascinated with Paul McCartney's explanations of how he created each song and what was going on in his life and mind at the time。 I'm glad that I read this book although it isn't what I expected。 I thought that reading The Lyrics would read like a book of poetry, but I became fascinated with Paul McCartney's explanations of how he created each song and what was going on in his life and mind at the time。 。。。more

Catherine

Took longer than it should have to read this as I had to stop & listen to each piece of music after reading about it, which probably also colors my feelings about the book。 Interesting stories & lovely photos

Peggy Kressin

5+++ stars!It has taken me just a little over a year to get through this book。 I have read it slowly and savored every word。I basically would read one song every day (on days that I had time)。 I listened to the song on YouTube and then read Paul's story about how the song came into being。The book covers 154 songs that Paul either wrote or co-wrote。 I was struck by this comment Paul made about writing。"For me, writing a song is just following a trail and then diverging from it and beating a new p 5+++ stars!It has taken me just a little over a year to get through this book。 I have read it slowly and savored every word。I basically would read one song every day (on days that I had time)。 I listened to the song on YouTube and then read Paul's story about how the song came into being。The book covers 154 songs that Paul either wrote or co-wrote。 I was struck by this comment Paul made about writing。"For me, writing a song is just following a trail and then diverging from it and beating a new path。 I set down a map of sorts, some rough coordinates, and then go there and find stuff on the way, just picking up little objects that happen to be lyrics or melodies。 It's a time of discovery and that's what I love about it。"There are so many insights in the book。 The toll that the breakup of the Beatles took on Paul was not something I had been aware of。 But more than that, the breakup and loss of John's friendship was very devastating to him and haunts him to this day。 I also had a newfound appreciation of Linda and how much she meant to Paul, not just personally, but professionally as well。There were some songs from Paul's more recent albums that I was not familiar with。 It was fun hearing them and getting to know their back story。 One song that has stuck with me is Mull of Kintyre。 Watch the video if you get a chance。I have adored Paul McCartney since the Beatles first came out when I was 11 years old。 It thrilled my heart to read through this and know that Paul is just the person I always thought he was。 So rewarding!!"But it all comes back to what was popular at the time, and I suppose the word 'hit' resonates。 We were, after all, in the business of writing hits for the Beatles。 Actually, I'm in the same business today。 I don't see any problem with trying to write hits。。。。We knew that what made a song a hit 'before your mother was born' was precisely what would make a hit now and in the future。 I say 'precisely', but it's actually an intangible quality that pulls us all together。 It's what makes a worldwide community of listeners。" 。。。more

Terry Lewis

This is a book for real Beatles fans。 Paul writes about all the McCartney songs 。。。 their inspirations, their histories, etc。 It is divided alphabetically, and each entry is only a few pages long。 There are tons of pictures, too。 This is a very enjoyable read。

Mark Love

Great insight into Paul's music writing as a Beatle as well as a solo performer。 Great pics also。 Great insight into Paul's music writing as a Beatle as well as a solo performer。 Great pics also。 。。。more

paige

I was gifted this book for my birthday and it was like being given a personal Paul McCartney museum you can hold, so thank you Andre。 Paul gives the stories and inspirations behind so many of the songs he's written in his lifetime, a most fitting style for his biography。 It's basically a Paul McCartney song encyclopedia! I recommend listening to each song before, during, or after reading each one as it just creates a more immersive experience。 I made a Spotify playlist with all the songs in orde I was gifted this book for my birthday and it was like being given a personal Paul McCartney museum you can hold, so thank you Andre。 Paul gives the stories and inspirations behind so many of the songs he's written in his lifetime, a most fitting style for his biography。 It's basically a Paul McCartney song encyclopedia! I recommend listening to each song before, during, or after reading each one as it just creates a more immersive experience。 I made a Spotify playlist with all the songs in order: https://open。spotify。com/playlist/20V。。。 。。。more

Adam

“My mum was a nurse and my dad loved words, so I was the only one in my class who could spell ‘phlegm”。If only Macca saved that for the opening sentence of his autobiography it would go down in history。 Instead he used it here buried somewhere in the middle, and there won't be an autobiography anyway, so no harm done。 This is a great read and all fans will eat it up。 Don't be put off by the size, there are loads of wonderful photos, handwritten lyrics and other bits and bobs that fill out the bo “My mum was a nurse and my dad loved words, so I was the only one in my class who could spell ‘phlegm”。If only Macca saved that for the opening sentence of his autobiography it would go down in history。 Instead he used it here buried somewhere in the middle, and there won't be an autobiography anyway, so no harm done。 This is a great read and all fans will eat it up。 Don't be put off by the size, there are loads of wonderful photos, handwritten lyrics and other bits and bobs that fill out the book。 Essential addition to any respectable Beatles collection。 。。。more

Rande

Lot of the same old stories told yet again

Adam Ziarnik

I'm far from being a superfan of the Beatles, Wings, or any of the solo work of the Beatles members, but as a bass guitarist and as a history enthusiast I found this to be a great read。 There's something like 100ish chapters that are dedicated to individual songs that Paul McCartney wrote or co-wrote, encompassing his entire career。 The chapters are fairly short - sometimes giving insight into the writing/arrangement process or the recording process of the song, and sometimes going into detail a I'm far from being a superfan of the Beatles, Wings, or any of the solo work of the Beatles members, but as a bass guitarist and as a history enthusiast I found this to be a great read。 There's something like 100ish chapters that are dedicated to individual songs that Paul McCartney wrote or co-wrote, encompassing his entire career。 The chapters are fairly short - sometimes giving insight into the writing/arrangement process or the recording process of the song, and sometimes going into detail about what inspired the song, or simply what was going on in McCartney's life (or for the Beatles collectively) at the time the song was written/recorded。 There's a playlist on Spotify that has all of the songs in the same order as the book, and I frequently found myself queuing it up to listen to previously unfamiliar songs as I encountered them in the book。 I had at least a passing familiarity with the Beatles songs, but this marked my first experience with Wings (besides "Band on the Run" - I remember listening to my mom's old 45rpm of this when I was a young boy) and my first experience with any of McCartney's solo material。 I'll say that there are some gems in there that I am glad to have discovered - especially McCartney's 1971 solo album "Ram", and the song "Too Much Rain" off of his 2005 album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (the general feel of "Too Much Rain" kind of reminds me of George Harrison's "Something" - and that's a great thing as Something is one of my all-time favorite Beatles songs, even if Paul McCartney didn't write it!)A great read that I recommend to Beatles enthusiasts and students of pop music history。 Anyone with an appreciation of the music of the 2nd half of the 20th century needs to spend some time with the Beatles to understand and appreciate their impact on pop & rock-and-roll。 。。。more

Jeannie

I enjoyed this very much being a fan of Paul McCartney and the Beatles。 I read Vol。 1 and I'm waiting for vol。 2。3/7/2023 I just finished Vol。 2。 I learned a lot about what kind of man Paul McCartney is and I'm very impressed that his success has not gone to his head。 I enjoyed this very much being a fan of Paul McCartney and the Beatles。 I read Vol。 1 and I'm waiting for vol。 2。3/7/2023 I just finished Vol。 2。 I learned a lot about what kind of man Paul McCartney is and I'm very impressed that his success has not gone to his head。 。。。more

Haley

i bought this book during the b&n 50% off hardcovers sale and honestly, what a steal。ti also had the absolute pleasure of seeing paul mccartney speak about this book at yale recently (which is why i finally picked it up) and wow, this was incredible。 an absolute must-read for any beatles fan。i’ve loved the beatles my whole life - which is quite short in comparison to some other folks who could say the same thing。 and there’s just so much you can learn about them, about the impact they’ve had on i bought this book during the b&n 50% off hardcovers sale and honestly, what a steal。ti also had the absolute pleasure of seeing paul mccartney speak about this book at yale recently (which is why i finally picked it up) and wow, this was incredible。 an absolute must-read for any beatles fan。i’ve loved the beatles my whole life - which is quite short in comparison to some other folks who could say the same thing。 and there’s just so much you can learn about them, about the impact they’ve had on the music industry and also the entire world, and it’s cool to hear a lot of that from a beatle firsthand。 paul has also always been my favorite beatle - when i was really little it was just because he was a lefty like me (same reason nomar garciaparra was my favorite red sox player) but as i grew up, it was paul’s songwriting and solo work - both wings and by himself - that i was most drawn to。 and this book provided such fascinating insight into so many of my favorite songs, and more that i was able to develop an appreciation for after having read a bit more about them。tpaul speaks to the different stages of his life in great detail in these books - his modest upbringing in liverpool, his life in scotland with linda, and of course his prolific time in the beatles。 one of the little taglines this book has picked up is that it’s the closest thing to an autobiography that he’ll ever write, and that definitely comes through。 he rambles about all sorts of different things - some funny, some sad, some heartfelt - and if you care enough about paul mccartney to pick up this book, i’m sure you’ll enjoy it。 a few of the stories i’d heard already, but a lot of it was at least somewhat new, and since reading this (i’m writing the review a few weeks later) i’ve been spouting off random paul mccartney tidbits when something reminds me of them。 tone of the things i love about paul is that even though he’s one of the most famous, successful people in the entire world, he still seems very down to earth。 he reminds me a bit of my grandpa - and they are the same age, after all。 he’s optimistic, witty, loves to tell a story about the good old days, and really values the love of his family (in all senses of the word) above all else。 and there’s something powerful about the way he’s always been able to cut to the core of it。 he’s also quite well-read - there’s a lot of talk about a number of classics, and of course the influence of his favorite teacher, alan durband。 ti think the choice to present this book alphabetically instead of chronologically is quite fun, too - it flows as more of almost a conversation instead of a timeline, and you really get the sense of how influential the beatles have been (and specifically john lennon, especially when we look at songwriting) on his life when it’s all interspersed like that。 i also loved how you could just feel the love he has for linda and their life together from the page。 he wasn’t overly mushy or anything, but it was just so clear how much he loved her through the stories he told。 and paul muldoon did a great job editing this - it flows really well。tit was also lovely to hear sir paul speak about this in real life。 i thought i was lucky getting to see him in concert at fenway park, but getting to hear him just chit chat with paul muldoon and a yale lit professor in front of just a couple thousand people for an hour was next level cool。 one of my favorite bits that was not in the books was when he was asked the question (by the moderator) what song did he wish he’d written that he didn’t? he said god only knows by the beach boys。 he talked about how he’d always loved that song, and about how when he got to perform it once with brian wilson he kept crying during the rehearsals haha。 it was just a really sweet story and i’ve always loved that song too。 。。。more

Ellie

It was such fun to read the provenance of many of my favorite Beatles songs, as well as post-Beatles music by Paul。 Many parts of it would merit 5 stars from me, but he left out some tunes I really hoped would be included, and there were a few from more recent years that didn't interest me nearly as much。 It was great fun to listen along (via YouTube on my phone) and refresh my memory on quite a few。 Wonderful photos! It was such fun to read the provenance of many of my favorite Beatles songs, as well as post-Beatles music by Paul。 Many parts of it would merit 5 stars from me, but he left out some tunes I really hoped would be included, and there were a few from more recent years that didn't interest me nearly as much。 It was great fun to listen along (via YouTube on my phone) and refresh my memory on quite a few。 Wonderful photos! 。。。more

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