The 15 Best Paul McCartney & Wings Songs of All Time

Paul McCartney & Wings was a famous rock band formed in 1971 by former Beatles singer, Sir Paul McCartney and joined by his wife, Linda McCartney. Although the band went through four drummers and three lead guitarists, they still achieved 14 Top 10 singles and 11 Grammy nominations. He certainly came a long way from when we first saw them play with The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.If you’re a fan of classical rock music, here are 15 of Paul McCartney & Wings greatest songs you have to give a listen.

The Top 15 Paul McCartney & Wings Songs of All Time

It’s hard to judge Sir Paul McCartney‘s solo career after the breakup of The Beatles. Together, with John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr they pumped out some of the biggest hits of all time.  From upbeat songs like Lady Madonna, and Hard Day’s Night, to ballads like Let It Be, Hey Jude and Blackbird, the fab four set a very high bar.  This list of our best Paul McCartney and Wings songs proves that going solo didn’t leave Paul with any “Lonely Nights.”

1. Live & Let Die

Unsurprisingly, Live & Let Die is the best song by Paul McCartney and Wings. Live & Let Die was composed for a James Bond film of the same name, and paved the way for McCartney to be known as one of the most talented musicians of his time, both solo and along with the band, Wings.  The song takes the listener on a distinct musical journey as it begins with a slow, soothing melody but then builds into a full-blown arena rocker with screaming guitars.

You would think that this song lost some of its popularity over time but such is not the case. The producers of Live and Let Die believed that Paul’s musical style was exactly what they were looking for, and he surely didn’t disappoint with the fusion of rock and classical music.  The song received a “rebirth” after being covered by the iconic heavy metal band Guns ‘N Roses in 1991 on “Use Your Illusion I,” the follow-up to their smash sensation, “Appetite For Destruction.”

2. Band on the Run

As a Grammy-winning song of it’s own, there is no question that Band on the Run gives Live and Let Die a run for its money as the top spot on this list. The song also reached the number one spot on Billboard Hot 100 in 1973 and still plays heavily on the radio today.  The lyrics of the song were based upon the themes of “freedom and escape” which were sampled from many things, including their troubles feeling trapped by their record label, Paul McCartney’s legal troubles from a marijuana possession charge, as well as the theft of the studio tapes for the album, Band On The Run.

What’s even more surprising is that while most of their songs have a run time of about two minutes, Band on the Run is five minutes long and maintains a consistent melodic feel. It’s style has even been compared to the California sound of the band, Eagles.  If you’re looking for an entire cinematic experience with great production value, no better song should be on your screen.

3. Listen to What the Man Said

Not only was Listen to What the Man Said the lead single from the Venus and Mars LP, but it also garnered the number one spot in the Billboard Hot 100 music charts of 1975.

This song has melodies similar to the ones by The Beatles yet still managed to be one of the most unique songs Paul McCartney ever wrote. Radio hosts back in the day agreed that only a musical genius like Paul McCartney could create such a hit song with a catchy and dramatic groove.

Listen to What the Man Said was even praised by Rolling Stone magazine for being one of the best compositions by Paul McCartney after his career as the bass guitarist for the Beatles. Most of all, this song was loved by fans worldwide for encouraging compassion and understanding in this soft-rock groove.

The funny thing about this song is that the band was not originally satisfied with the way the song was coming out in production.  So they called in a local saxophone player to add to the song.  They ended up keeping the first take he played and the rest is history.

4. Let Me Roll It

If you’re looking to witness Paul McCartney’s pure emotion with a mix of rhythm and groove, no song gives you all of this and so much more than Let Me Roll It.  The song was released on their 1974 album, Band On The Run, as the B-side to their banger, Jet.

Anyone who knows Paul McCartney knows he often writes songs with sentimental meanings, and this one is no different. Let Me Roll It was a tribute to John Lennon after they both found common ground again after a fight. McCartney wants to honor Lennon’s impact on his life.  Many even say that he sings this song in a voice that sounds like John Lennon.

This song is extra special because it paved the way for another musical masterpiece called Beef Jerky by John Lennon, inspired by the end of the fight with McCartney. Lennon also incorporated the rift from Let Me Roll It in the song to pay tribute to McCartney.

5.  Let ‘Em In

Let ‘Em In is a classic hit from 1976 that only exists because of a dream Paul McCartney had one night. He woke up one morning with the tune’s foundation stuck in his head and knew he had to put it on tape.

Although pretty much all McCartney songs are backed with exceptional songwriting skills, this one is just extra special. It combines pop, rock, and soul to create a musical masterpiece and is as soothing a track as was ever written. As a track with super catchy melody, it’s hard not to keep singing this song, in your head, after listening.

What’s more special about Let ‘Em In is that the lyrics teach listeners about acceptance and unity. McCartney has always had a big heart, and he encourages others to open their hearts in the same way by listening to their hearts and speaking from their souls. 

6. Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre was produced in 1977 by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine. It is a tribute to a peninsula in Scotland due to its picturesque landscape, which adds a special touch to the song. This was Wings’ best selling single in Britain and even became the number one Christmas song in 1977. It was the first song to sell more than two million copies, besting even The Beatles‘ “She Loves You.”

This famous song even triggered an interesting story. After its release, the Mull of Kintyre grew to be a well-known tourist destination, drawing fans from all over the globe who wanted to witness the beauty that had inspired this incredible song that was McCartney’s love song to this special place.

Without a doubt, this song captures the skill and ingenuity found in Paul McCartney and Wings’ greatest works. It’s a magical piece that continues to move people worldwide.

7. Silly Love Songs

Silly Love Songs is an iconic track for many reasons, but mainly because it topped the Billboard charts for not one, not two, but five consecutive weeks in 1976, which is unheard of even today.  To top it off, this was in the era dominated by disco music.

This song is not a stranger to criticism, now is Sir Paul, as he was often criticized for writing sentimental love songs.It’s true, McCartney is known for showing raw emotions in his lyrics, and and tended to write more up-beat, optimistic songs that expound on the joys of love.  “The song was, in a way, to answer people who just accuse me of being soppy,” McCartney told Billboard in 2001.

McCartney wrote this song to show his determination to pursue his music despite having all the odds against him with many negative opinions.  The success of Silly Love Songs proves Paul’s belief that a catchy tune about love and hope never goes out of style. 

8. Jet

Jet by Paul McCartney and Wings was released in January of 1974 on the album Band of the Run and one of several songs that immediately topped the charts by rising not only to #7 in the US but also to #5 in the UK.

If you’ve heard the song Band of the Run from the same album, you’d think that there’s no way anything would top this but Jet is one of many songs from that album that comes close. What many people do not know is that Paul’s wife, Linda McCartney, started writing the song before it was finished together with Paul.

Did you know that the song was named after McCartney’s dog? During a live performance in 1976, he told the audience that his dog inspired this song. But later, in 2010, Paul revealed that the song was named after their pony, not their dog.  Regardless, it is another Wings song that has stood the test of time.

9. My Love

My Love is probably the oldest song on this list, released in 1973 on the Red Rose Speedway album. The song rose to the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 music charts in 1973.

What makes this song special is that McCartney dedicated it to his late wife, Linda McCartney. Their love was like no other, and it was evident in the raw emotion he displayed in this masterpiece. She even performed along side of him as a member of the band, Wings.  The song was one of the most heartfelt ballads of Paul’s career, and it was quite an emotional experience for everyone – including the audience.

We recommend listening to this song in a quiet room with your eyes closed for the full experience. McCartney shows hints of surprises along the way in this melody, and if you want to catch every one of them, there’s no better way to do so than by giving it your full attention.

10. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five

Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five is another musical masterpiece from none other than the Band On The Run album (are you seeing a pattern here?).

Although this album was released in 1973, the song only gained popularity after being performed live during their recent tours in 2016 and 2022.  It is less well-known, compared to the others on this list, but has earned its spot, nonetheless.

Not only did the audience really enjoy this song, but it turns out that the band really enjoyed playing it live as well. McCartney and his alternative rock voice were one to not miss during the tour. The Band On The Run album was probably one of the most successful ones they’ve created.

11. Beware My Love

Beware My Love has always been a fan favorite from the Wings at the Speed of Sound album released in 1976. The song hit the number three spot on the Billboard 100 and the number one spot on the Cashbox music charts in 1976, thus becoming an album with several hit singles.

The other popular songs from this album are Silly Love Songs and Let ‘Em In. That being said, Beware My Love is probably the only one that’s still a bop today. Aside from the Band On The Run album, we recommend rock fans to get the Wings at the Speed of Sound album as well.

12. Dear Friend

Did you know Dear Friend was recorded for Paul McCartney’s previous album Ram? Like Let Me Roll It, this song served as an apology to former Beatles partner John Lennon. The two have been arguing quite a bit both in public and private for a couple of years.

Knowing that this is an apology song, you can expect McCartney’s raw emotion to really come out with the sentimental melody. What makes this song even more special is how drummer Denny Seiwell produced a series of heavy and dramatic background music for the record.

13. To You

When the song To You was produced, no one would’ve thought it would be airing wall-to-wall on MTV just a few years later. That being said, as a song that is fresher and more modern than the rest on Back to the Egg, it was bound to gain attention worldwide.

To You features howls and other sounds similar to that produced by Ric Ocasek. If you couple this with the beat produced by guitarist Laurence Juber, you’ll realize that the harmony produced is unlike any other in the album or perhaps even their entire career.

14. Junior’s Farm

Junior’s Farm was actually produced back when Paul McCartney was still in the Beatles. It never made it to any of their albums and so, McCartney decided to release it with Wings in 1974 and it’s pure McCartney.  If you don’t think Junior’s Farm is one of Paul McCartney and Wings greatest hits, listen again, and with “a little luck” you just may change your mind.

Junior’s Farm was actually inspired during McCartney’s stay at a farm owned by Curly Putman Jr. McCulloch was in the original version of the song, but after his retirement, Thunderclap Newman joined the show, and his guitar work made quite the impact on this rock sensation.

Fans often wonder how the song would’ve played out if The Beatles released it. Would it have gained as much popularity as it did with Wings? It probably would’ve known how popular they were, but McCartney gave it the extra special attention it deserved.

15. Hi Hi Hi

There was no way that we’d move on without adding Hi Hi Hi to the list of top songs by Paul McCartney and Wings. Although this song didn’t gain as much traction as the rest, it is on this list for a reason. Hi Hi Hi is probably the most controversial song by the band to date.

In fact, the song was even banned by the BBC due to some of the lyrics like “Get you ready for my body gun” and the fact remains that many believed the song to be about getting high. Knowing McCartney, he had to have at least one controversial moment in his career.

Which Paul McCartney & Wings songs are your favorite? Let us know in the comment section!