Why ‘Tug of War’ by Paul McCartney Might Be His Best Work

Is Tug Of War by Paul McCartney underrated? Probably not. However, some might not immediately think of that album as their favorite Macca solo effort. That being said, Tug Of War is on another level and doesn’t often get recognized for it. Let’s break down why Tug Of War by Paul McCartney might just be the former Beatle’s solo magnum opus.

The Background of ‘Tug Of War’

Paul McCartney is on another level with the 1982 album Tug Of War. If anything, this record proved to Macca’s biggest critics that he could master solid rock tunes in a contradictory way as if it came naturally to him.

The third solo album by McCartney, Tug Of War was the first solo effort he would release after his band Wings broke up in 1981. It also follows the death of his friend and songwriting partner John Lennon. Nobody knew what to really expect from this release, yet McCartney defied all expectations nonetheless.

Produced by Beatles legend George Martin, Tug Of War was a no. 1 hit across the globe and sold over a million copies in the United States alone in 1982. For many listeners, it was a true return to form for McCartney. 

“‘Tug Of War’ is the masterpiece everyone has always known Paul McCartney could make,” Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone wrote of the record.

“‘Tug Of War’ is bouncy, joyful, sweet and melodic — things we expect from Paul McCartney,” M. Howell of The Boston Phoenix said of the album. “It’s also frightened and fierce — things he’s not supposed to be. To say that ‘Tug Of War’ is a far better record than McCartney’s ever made is to slight it. ‘Tug Of War’ goes beyond anything that McCartney ever indicated he was capable of.”

Why ‘Tug Of War’ by Paul McCartney Could Be His Very Best Work

So, what makes Tug Of War such a standout Paul McCartney release? It all comes down to the vivid sound of the album, as well as McCartney’s consistently good songwriting.

The collaborations on this album are also beautiful. McCartney sings with Stevie Wonder on “What’s That You’re Doing?” and “Ebony And Ivory”. He also sings with Carl Perkins on “Get It”.

When it comes down to it, Tug Of War almost sounds like a greatest hits album, but those “greatest hits” catalog McCartney’s life experiences at the time. There’s grief, there’s fatherhood, there’s a song about race relations, there are vulnerable songs and there are jaunty tunes suitable for the charts. McCartney did it all on one somewhat short record. 

Even if Tug Of War isn’t your favorite McCartney release, you can’t deny that it’s simply an elevated piece of work to come out of the 1980s.

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