Paul McCartney was an excellent songwriter and performer in The Beatles, and he was just as good throughout his solo career and continues to shake things up today. However, I can’t help but feel like some of Paul McCartney’s solo and Wings B-sides deserved to be released as A-sides instead. They’re just that good. Let’s look at a few examples, shall we? If you’re a serious Paul McCartney fan, these B-sides are probably already floating around in your memory.
“Back On My Feet” from ‘All The Best!’ (1987)
“Back On My Feet” was the B-side of the 1987 tune “Once Upon A Long Ago”. An excellent little dancey rock tune, I’m surprised this song didn’t make it to the A-side instead of “Once Upon A Long Ago”. Though, I do understand why that song got pushed to the forefront. It was a co-writing effort with Elvis Costello meant for The Princess Bride. “Back On My Feet” was also written by Costello and McCartney, though, and I think it deserves more love.
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“Flying To My Home” from ‘Flowers In The Dirt’ (1989)
“Flying To My Home” was the B-side of McCartney’s 1989 single, “My Brave Face”, from Flowers In The Dirt. A heavy piece of work, it’s a little surprising that this song didn’t get released on its own as an A-side. McCartney takes on the autoharp beautifully, Linda McCartney’s backing vocals are excellent. And Hamish Stuart’s mix of slide guitar and synths makes for a fascinating little romp that is very 1980s. It’s a shame this song didn’t get more love back in the day.
“Daytime Nighttime Suffering” (1979)
Recorded by Wings, this entry on our list of Paul McCartney B-sides backed up the 1979 non-album single “Goodnight Tonight”. This earlier work from McCartney’s solo career was the perfect B-side for “Goodnight Tonight”. That A-side kicks off a joyful listen that “Daytime Nighttime Suffering” continues. Those harmonies are on another level, and you can really get a taste for how good Wings’ collective harmonies were around this period. It’s got a bit of a funk flavor to it, too. While it was the perfect pairing, I still can’t help but think “Daytime Nighttime Suffering” would have shone on its own.
Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
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