Paul McCartney, in spite of characterizing himself as a composer of \u201csilly love songs,\u201d is in fact a superlative lyricist. In my opinion, McCartney\u2019s best lyrics set very comfortably in the company of John Lennon\u2019s and Bob Dylan\u2019s. And perhaps in some ways they\u2019re even better than his two contemporaries.<\/p>\n
The acclaimed lyrics of Dylan and Lennon don\u2019t usually survive contact with an unadorned piece of paper. Dylan\u2019s phrasing of his lyrics on the recordings make them valid but they sure sound nutty when someone like Joan Baez covers his songs respectfully and pronounces the lyrics carefully. Ditto for John Lennon. Strawberry Fields, A Day in the Life, Across the Universe<\/em>\u2026lovely and meaningful songs but what we\u2019re talking about is lyrics here. Isolate John\u2019s lyrics and all you\u2019ve got is gobbledygook.<\/p>\n In no particular order, here are a few Paul McCartney lyrics–coherent, evocative and quotable–that surpass Bob Dylan\u2019s and John Lennon\u2019s.<\/p>\n From I\u2019m Looking Through You<\/em>: I\u2019m looking through you\/ Where did you go? \/ I thought I knew you\/ What did I know?<\/p>\n From Rocky Raccoon<\/em>: Her name was Magill\/ And she called herself Lil\/ But everyone knew her as Nancy.<\/p>\n From Back in the USSR<\/em>: Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south\/ Take me to your daddy\u2019s farm\/ Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out\/ Come and keep your comrade warm.<\/p>\n From Get Back<\/em>: Wearing her high-heeled shoes and a low neck sweater\/ Get back home Loretta.<\/p>\n From Maxwell\u2019s Silver Hammer<\/em>: P.C. Thirty One\/ Says we\u2019ve caught a dirty one.<\/p>\n From Helter\u00a0Skelter: You may be a lover but you ain\u2019t no dancer.<\/p>\n From Her Majesty<\/em>: I want to tell her that I love her a lot\/ But I gotta get a bellyful of wine\/ Her Majesty\u2019s a pretty nice girl\/ Someday I\u2019m gonna make her mine.<\/p>\n From Two of Us<\/em>: You and I have memories\/Longer than the road that stretches out ahead.<\/p>\n From I\u2019ve Got a Feeling<\/em>: All I was ever looking for\/ Was somebody who looks like you.<\/p>\n From She Came in Through the Bathroom Window<\/em>: And so I quit the Police Department\/ And got myself a steady job\/ And though she tried her best to help me\/ She could steal but she could not rob.<\/p>\n From You Never Give Me Your Money<\/em>: One sweet dream\/ Pick up the bags and get in the limousine.<\/p>\n From Lady Madonna<\/em>: Friday night arrives without a suitcase\/ Sunday morning creeping like a nun\/ Monday\u2019s child has learned to tie his bootlace\/ See how they run.<\/p>\n From Hello Goodbye<\/em>: You say yes\/ I say no\/ You say stop\/ And I say go \u2013 go \u2013 go\/ Oh no\/ You say goodbye\/ And I say hello.<\/p>\n From Let It Be<\/em>: And when the night is cloudy\/ There is still a light that shines on me\/ Shine until tomorrow\/Let it be\/ Let it be.<\/p>\n From The End<\/em>: Oh yeah !\/All right !\/ Are you gonna be in my dreams\/ tonight?<\/p>\n Do you see what I mean? These are phrases that can punctuate casual conversations. They\u2019re useful hi-lights for everyday use. They have a classic touch. You\u2019d be surprised how handy it can be to drop \u201cYou may be a lover but you ain\u2019t no dancer<\/em>\u201d into some cocktail party chit chat. Or get folk\u2019s attention by an impromptu quoting of \u201cHer name was Magill, and she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Remember, you heard it here first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Paul McCartney, in spite of characterizing himself as a composer of \u201csilly love songs,\u201d is in fact a superlative lyricist. In my opinion, McCartney\u2019s best lyrics set very comfortably in the company of John Lennon\u2019s and Bob Dylan\u2019s. And perhaps … Continue reading