Paul McCartney: Greatest singer ever?

[1966425]

I definitely think he's the greatest songwriter of all time. No one even compares to what he's written. His writing with Lennon alone makes then the greatest team ever but add his tremendous solo career and you have someone who not only re-wrote the history of rock. He invented pop as we know it.

The industry today is the way it is because of Paul McCartney. The way songs are written, recorded, released. Album covers, concert tours and videos. He started it all. The real King of pop is Paul.

[xAmpersand]

Freddie was better,but Paul is an amazing singer.

[jimidee33]

He has a very versatile voice and has always tried a lot of different styles. The Beatles were the Beatles because he was there as a needed counterpoint to Lennon. His vocal range and sampling of different styles was immense, from tin pan alley and music hall melody, to harder rock to sappy ballads later with Wings.

[MAGICO240]

Paul sing well,but I do not think he is the top 50.

He was a great composer though. There are many much better singers: Tom Jones, Elvis, Sinatra, Wilson, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochrane, Orbinson, etc.

[reneperezz]

@MAGICO240 shut up you twat, Paul is the greatest singer, artist, musician EVER.

[SgtPepper996]

There are a lot of things, which I cannot be sure, but one thing is for sure. I never get tired of listening to Paul's amazing voice. Thanks for this great video.

[TheDilligan]

EVERYBODY SEND THIS VIDEO TO PAUL!!! his youtube acount is PAULMCCARTNEY (all caps)

[TheDilligan]

great video! i really like this

[joaormedeiros]

@emeraldprophet you say mccartney sang about meaningless things.... ever heard of eleanor rigby?

[cesarmeral1982]

so many people can undertand this.. and so many people can't.. so many people love him and so many hate him.. some people think john is better, or george, or whoever... but the true, the reallity never change.. sorry people but PAUL MCCARTNEY IS THE BEST´!!!! AND GREATEST GENIUS FROM XX CENTURY.. IF YOU LIKE OR IF YOU DON'T.. HE STILL THE GREATEST

[lirfrank]

8:34 where's that video from?

[drrettner]

I saw Paul a few months ago. At 68 years old, he blew me away. He did a 3 hour concert-all live, no lipsynch. He rocked out too with helter skelter, purple haze and a day in the life. He sang like a 20 year old. Great voice, great energy. Bravo Paul!

[klavx]

what is the last song he sings...never heard it before... very cool

[pianissimo5]

@superman11978 yeah and also if you listen to like flaming pie (a product of the 90's), he's still got it.

[macrockettere]

Has anyone paid attention to the fact that Paul has worked every year since 2000 consecutively? He has it posted on his page, the years he has worked and the ones where there may be a period of time that wasnt listed SINCE 1974! ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE but TRUE!

[kuba99pp]

he still sings great !!! sounding older of course nowadays, but like a good wine...

[maccalennonstarr]

@superman11978 I agree. Lennon also wrote alot of "nonsense" songs that made absolutely no sense (i.e., Happiness Is A Warm Gun). Besides, John was the activist - that was his thing. McCartney was a great song writer. But does that make his songs worse?! HELL NO! Two distinct styles - but two incredible composers. And he's written some pretty significant songs - btw. Not as much as lennon - but as Paul said... Love isn't silly at all. ;)

[maccalennonstarr]

This was EXTREMELY well done - and I'm glad that you included his ENTIRE career - because some of his best vocal work has been on his last few albums. WELL DONE.

[maccalennonstarr]

@rule914 I TOTALLY disagree with that! He still has an incredible voice, and what he did with "Jenny Wren", and especially with his last album as the Fireman - it has only proved that he still has it. Wow... I can't believe that you said his voice went way downhill... Like wine, it's just gotten better over the years. His vocals have changed (as all of our vocals do), but that change has allowed his vocals to become even more distinctive. I TOTALLY disagree with that one.

[rule914]

@maccalennonstarr

Better with time? That's crazy. He doesn't have the range anymore. His voice cracks up. He can't make clean strong live performances like he used to at all... Any serious musician could hear this easily... including McCartney.

Even in 1984, when his voice was in MUCH better shape than it is now, music critics collectively noticed in comparing the Beatles covers on 'Give my regards to Broad street', that his voice had gone downhill.

[rule914]

@maccalennonstarr

(continued)... Yes, I admit the vocals on recent songs like 'Highway' are impressive, but his voice, overall, just isn't nearly as powerful or smooth, and you can really hear it when you compare live performances. How could it be with 40 more years of smoking and drinking and senescence?

[maccalennonstarr]

@rule914 I agree that TODAY (at almost 70 years old) he can't sing the range (which is normal, because we have to remember that the man is now a senior citizen!), but to compare that with what he sang when he was 20 is ridiculous. I (personally) love the way his voice sounds today. It's very distinctive, and the work he did on the last Fireman album - especially the very low notes on Lighthouse and Traveling Light is excellent.

[maccalennonstarr]

@rule914 (continued)... I'm not saying it's better re: vocal range/smoothness - but I think it's better in the sense that he's his voice sounds different today, which adds another dynamic/dimension to his (already) wide range of music. I've seen the man 14 times lives - a couple of weeks ago as well - and hearing him belt out Helter Skelter and Rockshow perfectly, and then sing "And I Love Her" - and almost all the songs in their original keys?! We'll have agree to disagree on this one.

[rule914]

@maccalennonstarr

We are both obviously McCartney fans, and yeah we probably can't resolve this difference of opinion. :P

Technically, he was better when he was younger. Clearly this isn't surprising -- as you say, he's almost 70. I can see your argument about the extra dynamic, but I would still much prefer he had his voice from the 60s and early 1970s. That would be really awesome. He could do some mind-blowing live performances of songs like 'Oh! Darling'.

[maccalennonstarr]

@rule914 I hear your point as well - but I still think he sounds great - especially when you consider his age. His performance of Helter Skelter blew me away a couple of weeks ago! Regardless - long live Paul!! I enjoy the debate. :P

[PicciProductions]

@rule914 True, they did go down. I saw a video of him during his nasty divorce and he just sounded drained and to be honest it was depressing how bad he sounded. But once his divorce was over, he started to gain his ability again. I saw him live last summer and he sounded perfect

[derekec]

Thank you for this loving tribute. 10 minutes well spent for me on Youtube. And I agree with a lot of the comments.Sure McCartney's voice certainly isn't what it was and I even recall in '74 thinking his voice was differing, yet still wonderful. Even today at 68, Paul can outsing most and still no one can do a McCartney song like McCartney. But even for himself his legacy is a tough act to follow. What a gift to us all! Love him always and I got to feel this since Feb. 1964!

[rule914]

@superman11978

As John Lennon said, Paul is a very capable lyricist who thinks he can't write lyrics. Paul at his best wrote far more profound lyrics than George, in my opinion. Blackbird and Hey Jude are absolutely poetic.

[LanaH1224]

@rule914 Excuse me?? Sorry, have you listened to any of concerts of the last 10 years? He sounds fantastic and he sings for 3 hours with few breaks. Like to see another 68 year old singer do that...sorry, you just got my ire up!! :)

[rule914]

@LanaH1224

I have listened a little... I think that people saying he's a good singer at 68 give others a false impression about how *actually* good he was in his prime. When he was in his mid twenties to early thirties he was unbeatable as a vocalist -- he had the smoothness, the range, the versatility... Most people forget that, because honestly, he doesn't have that any more. Sorry I got your ire up. ;)

I am really sensitive to changes... even when he was 36 I could hear differences..

[maccalennonstarr]

@LanaH1224 I agree. He's even been nominated for best vocals (re: Grammys) for his last few albums. His voice has CHANGED - but that does NOT mean that it's gotten worse. There's a BIG difference there.

[windycitygal1000]

Just like a fine wine Pauls voice has aged brilliantly, thanks for posting this.

[maccalennonstarr]

@windycitygal1000 I just said that earlier!!! LOL

[windycitygal1000]

@maccalennonstarr LOL so whats your point? I surely havent read your postings?

[maccalennonstarr]

@windycitygal1000 I just commented that like wine, his voice is getting better - and you made a similar comment. That's all! I was complimenting your post. That was my point!!!! :)

[mecaesare]

I've got a feeling and Helter Skelter are amazing

[RJLKMRD]

Paul's Elvis impersonation kind of says it all about how talented he was in his prime. Wow! Far and away the best singer in the Beatles. No one touches him on vocals. His consistency is remarkable.

[Alphaboo2]

PS listen to handle with care and an older Roy Orbison. And are we talking about the greatest rock and roll singers or the greatest singers--Hello Mister Caruso.

Here there and everywhere it's the harmonies.

And again two songs later she's leaving home, the harmonies.

Hey jude is beautiful but not taxing, plus the wrote considering their limitations. If you can listen to david Bowie signing with Bing Crosby on his Christmas show,

[Alphaboo2]

Actually the most important thing were the harmonies produced between John and Paul. The vocal harmonies are rich and complex and basically unrepeatable

The key is not in the individuals who as we see were less than the sum but in the totality of the parts that were the Beatles.

Plus once and for all John used Yoko as a wedge to destroy the thing he created and was tired of. John was a passive aggressive(we all are something in our problem solving techniques) who used yoko as his weapon.

[dadslbm]

Just one man's opinion...the idea of who was the "best" is rather pointless. If you look at a hand, which finger is the best? I guess the thumb is what makes it a hand, but without all the fingers it has to compensate and is functional but not intact. The Beatles were a remarkable band made up of remarkable musical artists. There are many "better" musicians, but as a group and as artists they are unique and wonderful and the world (at least my view of it) is better for their having been here.

[dadslbm]

Just one man's opinion...the idea of who was the "best" is rather pointless. If you look at a hand, which finger is the best? I guess the thumb is what makes it a hand, but without all the fingers it has to compensate and is functional but not intact. The Beatles were a remarkable band made up of remarkable musical artists. There are many "better" musicians, but as a group and as artists they are unique and wonderful and the world (at least my view of it) is better for their having been here.

[DinoDude65]

3:52

And thus, heavy metal was in it's embryonic stage XD

[Yellyist]

@emeraldprophet John and Paul were equally talented. Paul was a better musician than John, and had a better voice. But John was just as talented as Paul when it came to songwriting. George Harrison was good, but didn`t come close to John and Paul, and he wasn`t in their league as a singer. His voice wasn`t very good. George faith was that he ended up in a band with two supertalented people. George was talented too, but not as talented as John and Paul.

[emh26]

Great video, great idea. He had, and still has a tremendous vocal range. One question: the "To John" that shows up in the video for 'This One', did you put that in? Presumably it wasn't in the actual video. It's widely speculated that that song was written as a message to John, but I've never actually seen it definitely written before.

[mbrotinho]

the best one singer!!!!!!

[magicmoon1000]

I saw Paul in concert earlier this month. His voice was just WONDERFUL. From Maybe I'm Amazed to Blackbird, from Helter Skelter to Yesterday he hit every note. Those who are critical of the current state of his voice don't know what they are talking about. Listening to him live was truly a gift which I'll always treasure.

And yes, Paul was by FAR the best musician of The Beatles

[NicNac13c]

I like the edit of that last song... I love the song but I hate thinking that it was written for she whose name shall not be mentioned. Interesting video (I feel bad that you had to sit through "Give My Regards To Broad Street" to get footage, though. Not his best moment but then again not really his fault.)

[ShotGunAnd]

What did that woman say at 04:05 ?

[DLDamon1]

@ShotGunAnd

"i can't see how this makes sense"

She was wrong very wrong

[sciccise]

great video

thanks

[tititop]

What the names of this songs in 0:34/1:19 and 1:37 please ?

[gca0]

@tititop Kansas City and Here There And Everywhere :)

[tititop]

@gca0 Thanks ^^

[kinolek18]

oh if someone could PLEASE tell me what are songs in this video called, these after Wings... any song!

[kinolek18]

05:57 what is that song? sounds great!

[emberock1]

"Oh Woman, Oh Why

[kinolek18]

great thanks!!!

[theYezen]

The last song is amazing! does anyone wanna tell me more about it? When did it come out, what's it called, what cd, is it on youtube? where is it?

[katrin2801]

Yoko is looking so strange. She is jealous?

[emberock1]

It's "Heather" from Driving rain album

[rule914]

His vocal prime was clearly from about 1964-1974. After 1978, we never hear really clear strong vocals, like at the *beginning* of 'Oh! Darling', or 'Golden Slumbers'. He still does some really great singing on some tracks, especially 1978-1985, but overall his voice is not in the same shape, and you can especially tell this from live performances, when comparing with the 'Hey Jude' or Rooftop concerts.

[rule914]

I think there was a drop in 1974, another in 1978, a big one in 1986, some decline through the 1990s, and another big drop in 2000 or so.

Having said that, I was pretty impressed by Highway. That did surprise me. Some of his raw abilities are obviously still preserved... I don't think they'd come through live, though. Any more recent tracks (last 20 years) like that you could suggest?

[Camy1695]

I love this man...

[stemvis]

Whats all that at 3:40???

[Zzarra222]

does anyone remember the song paul did called "ooh you" ? It was on the album that had cherries on it , I just think that most people called it the cherries album, but I cant find it anywhere, can anyone give or have more information on it,please? thanks!

[DarkBee101]

It was on the album McCartney, his first after the Beatles. It's a "groovy" sort of track.

[williami99]

wot song is that at 5.45

[potofjuice]

The Back Seat Of My Car

[freklfacejpgr]

Awesome video. I have always said that Paul has got to be one of the most versatile singers ever.

[magicmoon1000]

Thank you for all your work in this video. To me, Paul has not only the most melodic and powerful voice, but also the most heartfelt one. Some of the reasons why he's my #1 :)

[young5ever]

Best voice in the Beatles anyhow because Elvis could outsing them all four without moving a hair.

[MacoutesGabber]

even though they outsold Elvis by millions, without moving a hair

[TheBeatlesAreLife]

Brillaint video! It's really captured the incredible-ness of Paul's voice.

Listening to him warms my heart<3. He's got the greatest voice I've ever heard!

A true legend.

[Rigelcentauri58]

Sir Paul: Thou art a man of the World

beyong borders and frontiers:

Thou e´en belong to the Universe

where thy words art traveling.

Thou art a true verbigratia of greatness

and love.

superman11978: Much thanks for this

marvel.

[inesgiers]

What a pleasure to watch!! Thanks so much for your efforts and time!

[68liayn]

P.S. I love how the final song you selected, at first a little jarring, became just perfect with the addition of Linda's face as the true Queen of Paul's heart came into view. I'm all teary again!

[68liayn]

Oh, this is just stunning. Thank you sincerely for all the work that went in to making this video. On this day especially, the 9th of October, this video really touched my heart so deeply. I watched through many tears, loving Paul's voice as always, but also feeling again the closeness between this group of people who shaped so much of my life. It is deeply appreciated. Yes, please do more of them!

[sitarro55555]

That version of Two Of Us should have been recorded......... and Yoko can kiss my ass.

[Thomasdrengen]

great video

[johnlennonismylover]

i notice that on she's leaving home, paul and john are like the mother and father. while the mother is wondering why the father is wondering how.

[kerrithesinger]

I saw him in ATL this past weekend... amazing.

[063319]

While Paul Mccartney is one of the best singers ever, I reckon Lennon is probably even better.

[MaryMRevis]

*Sigh* I tell you. The lads are SO intertwined in events of my life (via their music) that knowing we no longer have our John and George with us..still ACHES at my heart. I know I'll lose it when and if we ever lose our Paul and Ringo!. God bless the lads for all this talent and being part of our lives!

[bagzie]

Paul's voice was great, but even better was his bass playing - simply astonishing.

[TheDilligan]

@bagzie

was his bass playing really that good??? cause his voice is pretty amazing

[tettestagg]

@TheDilligan It was. And it is.

[princesschrissy555]

@bagzie was? More like IS :)

[spinalCJ]

mccartney and steve marriot on a par

[BeatleMonkeegirl15]

Paul sang it <3

[seanjaboy]

hahaha "the two of us wearing postcards"

[beatlesfan4eva456]

Ha! the old woman at 4:06 ALWAYS craxks me up!!!

Macca can do anything! Thanks for showing this to the people who don't believe that.

[Shizalumni]

What did she say?

[beatlesfan4eva456]

"I just can't see how it makes sense!"

It's mainly just the way she says it that makes me bust out in hysterics.

[Shizalumni]

Ah, I hear it now! Thanks :)

[dontreallycare3]

brilliant video. you picked the best bits.

[THEtinybrat24]

He is Definetely the BEST singer/songwriter in the whole world. He has produced the best music this world has ever seen. And he still keeps on rocking out :)

yeah that song is about HEATHER McCARTNEY, not mills.

There's a Big difference.

[superman11978]

Hehe. Actually, that song isn't about Heather Mills, it's about Heather McCartney. Paul said in an interview that he was just messing around on the piano and his daughter heard the melody and urged him to record it, so he did and named the song after her.

[zacefronandwiggles]

@superman11978 what song could u show me it please?

[PercyMcCartney]

Haha, I like how you cut out the part where he whispers "Heather."

[superman11978]

For all the credit that Lennon gets, I really think he deserves even more. For instance, Eric Clapton once said Lennon was the best rhythm guitarist he had ever worked with, but no one ever talks about that. Everyone talks about Imagine and his songwriting, but then they tend to forget that John might have had the best rock voice in history.

Maybe I'll make a video for John next.

[mase15]

Completely agree.

Please do

[Ikaru1797]

1second or a billion years, this video would NEVER be too long for me.

[soulmojo7]

What an ending!

[justinlom]

this is great.

[rocnrollurisback]

Very nice job on the vid superman11978.

[rocnrollurisback]

Pardon my stupidity, but why are Paul's eyes so deep dark brown appearing in some vids but different in others? Does he wear contacts??? anyone...????

[THEtinybrat24]

This is really great! Thanks for posting this. Paul is one hell of a guy :)

[GlassWalrus]

Wow this style is rarely new and has never been heard by me. Extremely well done Superman. The Beatles will be fab and will continue into eternity. Hope to hear another.

[rachcc4]

Thanks for doing this. What you said is so true and I've been telling this to people for years and years.

[superman11978]

True, I could do an identical video for John. Those two are in a class of their own.

[Brenglezote]

I think its John

[zuzukyd]

both of ther are/were really good, but i think Lennon is overestimated, Maybe fs he were not dead he would be the number one.

[way2waky]

Not Only That But An Outstanding Guitar Player

Love The Shindig Bit K.C.

[DieHardBeatlesFan]

"Macca-nificent Post " WoW !!

Excellent Share THANKS Kathy

Greatly Appreciated

[beatlequeen06]

This vid says it all. He's just so... perfect!

[asil1005]

Oh my, the end is so....I need a tissue. Thanks for this :)

[zapeti1235]

Paul McCartney= pure talent and pure genius

[pantera1800]

whats the song which start at 7:47 called?

Please answer

[dan1elpess0a]

This One, from the Flowers in the Dirt album

[moonman190]

1968...

Some of the best clips from the Let It Be movie. Great to hear the Wings and Solo stuff, too. "Ram" was always one of my favorites with V&M and BotR.

The little "Broad Street" bit and Here, There, and Everywhere reprise was cool, and My Brave Face is just about my absolute favorite Macca song. "Flaming Pie" makes up the other 90% of my favorites. Willow, Somedays, Beautiful Night, all those.

And the last bit with Electric Arguments and a perfect end with I'm Gonna Fly to the Moon.

[PatrickWysocki]

John had good reason to be a Jealous Guy.

[jaeheediamond]

I am a big fan of Paul McCartney. Happy to see this video!

[psychoo947]

Simply beautiful ! Great job...

[eanders417]

Nice job!

[434james]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for putting this together.