Paul Is Live
Encyclopedia
Paul Is Live is a live album by Paul McCartney
, released in 1993 during his New World Tour
in support of the album Off the Ground
. Its cover is often used as a counter-argument to the Paul is dead
conspiracy theory.
" rumours that were popularised in 1969 after the release of The Beatles
' last studio album, Abbey Road. The name 'Paul is Live' is a play on words, the fact it is a live album and that it is similar to the phrase "Paul is alive", an obvious opposite to "Paul is dead".
The dog appearing on the cover is Arrow, one of the offspring of Martha, the sheepdog Paul claimed was the subject of the song "Martha My Dear
". The cover photo is from the Abbey Road cover photoshoot by photographer Iain Macmillan
. There are differences between this and the photograph used for the Abbey Road cover; most notably, the taxi present in the Abbey Road cover photograph does not feature here. The retouching was done by CGI
artist Erwin Keustermans, who erased the Beatles and put in McCartney and the dog, taken from 35 mm pictures by Linda McCartney
.
, as well as from various US cities, Paul Is Live followed the 1989–1990 Paul McCartney World Tour/Tripping the Live Fantastic
extravaganza by only three years, confounding critics and fans as to its appearance, and some its necessity. As a result, Paul Is Live became McCartney's lowest-selling live set of his career, peaking at #34 in the UK and a lowly #78 in the US.
McCartney would take a noticeable break from his solo career, beginning the enormous Beatles Anthology project in early 1994 with George Harrison
, Ringo Starr
and George Martin
, which would take up much of his time for the next two years, before returning with Flaming Pie
in 1997.
* Written by John Lennon
and Paul McCartney
+Written by Paul McCartney
All tracks after "Kansas City" were recorded during various soundcheck locations and are most likely improvisations.
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, released in 1993 during his New World Tour
The New World Tour
In 1993, Paul McCartney and his band embarked upon The New World Tour, spanning almost the entire year and almost the entire globe. The tour was intended to promote McCartney's album Off the Ground...
in support of the album Off the Ground
Off the Ground
Off the Ground is the ninth studio album by Paul McCartney, released in 1993. As his first studio album of the 1990s, it is also the follow-up to the acclaimed Flowers in the Dirt .-Recording and structure:...
. Its cover is often used as a counter-argument to the Paul is dead
Paul Is Dead
"Paul is dead" is an urban legend suggesting that Paul McCartney of the English rock band The Beatles died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a look-alike....
conspiracy theory.
Title and cover
The album's title and cover were made in response to the "Paul is deadPaul Is Dead
"Paul is dead" is an urban legend suggesting that Paul McCartney of the English rock band The Beatles died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a look-alike....
" rumours that were popularised in 1969 after the release of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' last studio album, Abbey Road. The name 'Paul is Live' is a play on words, the fact it is a live album and that it is similar to the phrase "Paul is alive", an obvious opposite to "Paul is dead".
- The infamous "281F" on the Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen BeetleThe Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
's license plate – mis-read as "28IF", and purportedly saying that McCartney would have been 28 if he had lived – is edited to read "51IS", indicating his age at the time is 51. - McCartney is wearing shoes; on Abbey Road he had appeared with bare feet.
- He is stepping with his left foot. In the original cover, McCartney was stepping with his right foot, instead of the left like the other three Beatles; this lack of synchronism was perceived as another eyecatch to the hoax.
- He holds the dog's leash in his left hand; since he is left-handed, many thought that another clue of the "dead Paul" from Abbey Road was the cigarette he held in his right hand.
- The police car was removed as well because on Abbey Road the police car symbolized the policemen who were bribed by the other three Beatles to keep quiet about Paul's death to stop fans around the world from committing suicide.
The dog appearing on the cover is Arrow, one of the offspring of Martha, the sheepdog Paul claimed was the subject of the song "Martha My Dear
Martha My Dear
"Martha My Dear" is a Beatles song written by Paul McCartney , which first appeared on the double album The Beatles . McCartney is the only Beatle to appear on this track.-Style and form:...
". The cover photo is from the Abbey Road cover photoshoot by photographer Iain Macmillan
Iain MacMillan
Iain Stewart Macmillan, was the Scottish photographer famous for taking the cover photograph for The Beatles' album Abbey Road in 1969. After growing up in Scotland, he moved to London to become a professional photographer. He used a photo of Yoko Ono in a book he published in 1966 and was invited...
. There are differences between this and the photograph used for the Abbey Road cover; most notably, the taxi present in the Abbey Road cover photograph does not feature here. The retouching was done by CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
artist Erwin Keustermans, who erased the Beatles and put in McCartney and the dog, taken from 35 mm pictures by Linda McCartney
Linda McCartney
Linda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
.
Release and reception
Excerpted from his shows in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, as well as from various US cities, Paul Is Live followed the 1989–1990 Paul McCartney World Tour/Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic is Paul McCartney's first official live album and his first release of concert material since Wings' 1976 Wings over America live package. It was released in 1990 as triple LP, double cassette and double CD. Tripping the Live Fantastic reached #16 in the UK and #26 in...
extravaganza by only three years, confounding critics and fans as to its appearance, and some its necessity. As a result, Paul Is Live became McCartney's lowest-selling live set of his career, peaking at #34 in the UK and a lowly #78 in the US.
McCartney would take a noticeable break from his solo career, beginning the enormous Beatles Anthology project in early 1994 with George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
, Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
and George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
, which would take up much of his time for the next two years, before returning with Flaming Pie
Flaming Pie
Flaming Pie is an album by Paul McCartney, first released in 1997. His first studio album in over four years, it was mostly recorded following McCartney's involvement in the highly successful The Beatles Anthology project. In Flaming Pies liner notes McCartney said: " reminded me of The Beatles'...
in 1997.
Track listing
- Drive My CarDrive My Car"Drive My Car" is a song primarily written by Paul McCartney, with lyrical contributions from John Lennon, and first released by The Beatles on the British version of the 1965 album Rubber Soul; it also appeared in North America on the Yesterday and Today collection...
* – 2:34 - Let Me Roll ItLet Me Roll It"Let Me Roll It" is the last track on side one on the Paul McCartney & Wings album Band on the Run. The song was seen by critics as a pastiche to John Lennon's sound, particularly the riff and the use of tape echo on the vocals. McCartney, however, never claimed the song was intended as a pastiche...
+ – 4:10 - Looking For Changes+ – 2:43
- Peace in the Neighbourhood+ – 4:50
- All My LovingAll My Loving"All My Loving" is a song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney , from the 1963 album With The Beatles. Though it was not released as a single in the United Kingdom or the United States, it drew considerable radio airplay, prompting EMI to issue it as the title track of an EP...
* – 2:16 - Robbie's Bit (Thanks Chet) (Robbie McIntoshRobbie McIntoshRobbie McIntosh is an English guitarist. McIntosh is well known as a session guitarist and member of The Pretenders from 1982 until 1987. In 1988 he began doing session guitar work for Paul McCartney joining his band full time until early 1994...
) – 2:00 (A solo performance by guitarist Robbie McIntoshRobbie McIntoshRobbie McIntosh is an English guitarist. McIntosh is well known as a session guitarist and member of The Pretenders from 1982 until 1987. In 1988 he began doing session guitar work for Paul McCartney joining his band full time until early 1994...
and inspired by Chet AtkinsChet AtkinsChester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
.) - Good Rockin' Tonight – (Roy BrownRoy Brown (blues musician)Roy James Brown was an American R&B singer, songwriter and musician, who had an influence on the early development of rock and roll music. His "Good Rocking Tonight" was covered by Wynonie Harris, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone, and the rock group Montrose. In addition,...
) – 2:48 - We Can Work It OutWe Can Work It Out"We Can Work It Out" is a song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. It was released as a "double A-sided" single with "Day Tripper", the first time both sides of a single were so designated in an initial release...
* – 2:42 - Hope of DeliveranceHope of Deliverance"Hope of Deliverance" is a hit song by Paul McCartney, featured on his 1993 album Off the Ground. It became a hit in his native UK, reaching #18. It did not fare well on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #83, but did better on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, hitting #9. It is part of Paul...
+ – 3:29 - MichelleMichelle (song)"Michelle" is a love ballad by The Beatles, mainly written by Paul McCartney, with the middle eight co-written with John Lennon. It is featured on their Rubber Soul album. The song departs from most of The Beatles' other recordings in that some of the lyrics are in French...
* – 2:56 - Biker Like an IconBiker Like an Icon"Biker Like an Icon" is a song by Paul McCartney from his 1993 album Off the Ground. It was released as a 12" single.-Track listing:12" single# "Biker Like an Icon"# "Midnight Special"# "Things We Said Today"# "Biker Like an Icon"...
+ – 3:40 - Here, There and EverywhereHere, There and Everywhere"Here, There and Everywhere" is a song written primarily by Paul McCartney , recorded for The Beatles 1966 album Revolver. In his biography Many Years From Now, McCartney said the song is one of his favourites. Beatles' producer George Martin has also mentioned it as one of his favourite McCartney...
* – 2:29 - My Love+ – 4:06
- Magical Mystery TourMagical Mystery Tour (song)"Magical Mystery Tour" is a song by The Beatles, the opening track and theme song for the album, double EP and TV film of the same name. Unlike the theme songs for their other film projects, it was not released as a single.-Composition:...
* – 3:15 - C'Mon PeopleC'Mon People"C'Mon People" is a single from Paul McCartney's 1993 album, Off the Ground. The song reached number 41 on the UK singles chart.McCartney recorded the song for UK music programme Top Of The Pops....
+ – 5:38 - Lady MadonnaLady Madonna"Lady Madonna" is a song by The Beatles, primarily written by Paul McCartney . In March 1968, it was released as a single, backed with "The Inner Light." The song was recorded on 3 and 6 February 1968 before the Beatles left for India...
* – 2:33 - Paperback WriterPaperback Writer"Paperback Writer" is a 1966 song recorded and released by The Beatles. Written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, the song was released as the A-side of their eleventh single...
* – 2:39 - Penny LanePenny Lane"Penny Lane" is a song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney. It was credited to Lennon–McCartney.Recorded during the Sgt. Pepper sessions, "Penny Lane" was released in February 1967 as one side of a double A-sided single, along with "Strawberry Fields Forever". Both songs were later included...
* – 2:58 - Live And Let DieLive and Let Die (song)"Live and Let Die" is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die and was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings for the movie soundtrack and appears on the soundtrack album. The song was one of Wings' most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point...
(McCartney, Linda McCartneyLinda McCartneyLinda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
) – 3:51 - Kansas City – (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) – 3:54
- Welcome to Soundcheck – 0:41
- Hotel in Benidorm+ – 2:00
- I Wanna Be Your ManI Wanna Be Your Man"I Wanna Be Your Man" is a Lennon–McCartney-penned song that was recorded separately by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones' version was released a few weeks earlier...
* – 2:36 - A Fine Day+ – 6:18
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
+Written by Paul McCartney
All tracks after "Kansas City" were recorded during various soundcheck locations and are most likely improvisations.
Band lineup
- Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
– lead vocals, bass guitar, guitar, piano, keyboards - Hamish StuartHamish StuartHamish Stuart is a guitarist, bassist, singer, composer and record producer.- Biography :Stuart had recorded a couple of singles with his first band, the Dream Police, before he was invited to join the recently formed Average White Band in June 1972.A member of AWB from 1972 to 1982, he went on to...
– guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals - Robbie McIntoshRobbie McIntoshRobbie McIntosh is an English guitarist. McIntosh is well known as a session guitarist and member of The Pretenders from 1982 until 1987. In 1988 he began doing session guitar work for Paul McCartney joining his band full time until early 1994...
– lead guitar, backing vocals - Paul 'Wix' WickensPaul WickensPaul "Wix" Wickens is a keyboardist and composer from Essex, United Kingdom. Wickens has worked with musicians such as Paul McCartney, Nik Kershaw, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Bon Jovi and many other artists. Wickens has been a member of McCartney's touring band since 1989.-Career:Wickens began...
– keyboards, accordion, guitar, backing vocals - Blair CunninghamBlair CunninghamBlair Cunningham is a drummer who has played with Haircut One Hundred, The Pretenders, Paul McCartney, Alison Moyet, Sade, Paul Rutherford, the Indigo Girls, Roxy Music, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Mick Jagger, Ray Davis, Andy Taylor, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, Kevin Rowland and The Big Dish...
– drums - Linda McCartneyLinda McCartneyLinda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
– backing vocals, keyboards, autoharp, percussion