None of the ex-Beatles achieved the same level of success as solo singers that they had achieved while together but Paul's solo career was very successful by any other standards. Paul recorded mostly ballads but he could rock too, as he showed with songs like Jet and Band on the run.
It is not possible to include all of Paul's hits on a single CD but all the tracks here were British top ten hits. Eleven of them made the UK top three including three number ones (Mull of Kintyre, Pipes of Peace, Ebony and ivory),while others peaked at number two. Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey topped the American chart but, like Maybe I'm amazed, didn't chart in Britain so isn't included here.
Some UK top ten hits were left out for lack of space, including Mary had a little lamb, With a little luck (a top five UK hit and an American chart-topper), Goodnight tonight, Wonderful Christmastime, Waterfalls and The girl is mine (with Michael Jackson). Also missing are Paul's top twenty UK hits including Give Ireland back to the Irish, Helen wheels, Junior's farm and Take it away.
So it would have been easy to fill a double CD with Paul's hits but his more recent compilation, Wingspan (a double CD) missed that opportunity, instead containing one hits CD and one CD of mostly album tracks with a few hits. Nevertheless, the hits selection on Wingspan is different and the most obvious omissions from this set can be found there.
Of the tracks that are here, my favourites are Mull of Kintyre (complete with bagpipes), No more lonely nights (a superb ballad), Let 'em in, Pipes of peace, My love, Another day and his duet with Stevie Wonder, Ebony and ivory. Also worthy of note are Say say say (with Michael Jackson), Silly love songs (possibly an attack on those who criticize Paul for doing mostly ballads?), Band on the run and the James Bond theme, Live and let die.
Considering the many great tracks that have been omitted, some people will be disappointed at the inclusion of We all stand together (complete with frog chorus) but although it's not one of my favourites here, its place is justified - it was a British top three hit, after all, so a lot of people DO like it - and it's not meant to be taken seriously anyway.
Originally released in 1987, this compilation provides an excellent overview of Paul's solo music. Although he has made some interesting music since 1987 (even including classical music), it is the music he made prior to 1987 (especially with the Beatles) that ensures his place in history.