Tug Of War

One of perhaps five essential albums Paul has made since leaving the Beatles, Tug of War was the first time McCartney had worked with George Martin since those heady times, and he rose to the occasion by producing an album that included some of his best tunes (with or without the other fab three) and his most concise lyrics.

Those who are annoyed by McCartneys tendency not to take himself seriously will not be impressed by the mildly ingratiating Ballroom Dancing, and Ebony and Ivory is a track whose trite sentiment is simplistic in the extreme.

But the pleasures on this album are to be found elsewhere, the fantastic production of the title track, the heartfelt hymn to Lennon 'Here Today', and the excellent 'Pound is Sinking' a track who's multiple parts remind one of a lower key Band on The Run or Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.

But these all pale into insignificance compared with 'Wanderlust', a song so breathtakingly beautiful that it will leave you literally speechless. In my opinion his finest post Beatles song, it counterpoints two contrasting melodies to incredible effect. In fact it may make you want to go and single handedly take issue with all those people who claim that McCartney was a spent force after the Beatles. It's that good - you may even forgive him for Ebony and Ivory...

This album was so welcome in 1982, especially given Lennon's tragic and untimely killing and because we heard it was Paul on his own, not like on 'McCartney 2' but with a proper solo album with other musicians, free of any limitations which Wings had placed upon him. Whatever they were. But in any event, expectations were high. And on this record, McCartney did not disappoint. It is a fine record.
But is it any better than Wings? Probably not. For McCartney was the driving force behind every Wings album anyway. And here he substitutes the occasional Denny Laine vocal with guest appearances from Stevie Wonder and Carl Perkins. And here it works because it is a novelty. Collaborations with Michael Jackson or Eric Stewart would stifle his later 1980s output. But at least here, the songs are good.
'Tug Of War' is the sublime opening title track. It is such a fine song, with a decent lyric (if only Lennon could have heard this one!) and a magestic tune. Denny Laine contributes guitar so it is almost a Wings track anyway. The next track 'Take It Away' was a single but is with hindsight at least a pretty unremarkable song. Despite Ringo's presence on drums. 'Somebody Who Cares' is a great McCartney ballad, complete with a finger picking acoustic guitar solo from the man himself. Then we have the first of the McCartney-Wonder collaborations 'What's That You're Doing' which is an enjoyable disco-ish number. Not great but enjoyable yes. And now we come to 'Here Today', McCartney's heartfelt tribute to his ex partner Lennon. Easily the best song on the album, and recently performed in concert as well, 20 odd years later. Here we have Paul showing more emotion and love for someone other than Linda for about the only time in his life. I would dismiss any cynicism here. This is a Love Song, for John Lennon. Who can fail to be moved?
'Ballroom Dancing' is a decent rocker which could have fitted well on the Back To The Egg final Wings album. But the ever present Denny Laine is present here so it again has a Wings quality to it. 'The Pound Is Sinking' is interesting but ultimately forgettable. Silly lyric.
But on the next track 'Wanderlust' McCartney produces his best ballad in many a year. And the counter melody singing is really great. This song is about the highlight of the album. The song with Carl Perkins 'Get It' is charming and works perfectly in this context. 'Dress Me Up As A Robber' is an ingenious song which shows that Paul could still be innovative when he wanted to be. Infectious. So we come to 'Ebony And Ivory', the duet with Stevie Wonder, which has invited as much ridicule as George Bush over the years. But it is a heartfelt song recorded by two great artists, black and white. I personally think this song is great, an important statement less than twelve months after the ugly Brixton riots in London of 1981. Paul: don't listen to those tedious critics of this song. It is good. It was an important and valid statement to make in 1982. So there. OK so it was simple. But it was heartfelt. And what's wrong with that? I'd like to know.
All in all, this album is more consistent than any other McCartney offering from the 1980s. 'Flowers In The Dirt' (1989) obviously runs it close. But in 1982, the world and certainly the Beatle community welcomed this commendable album with open arms. And I for one will still defend it to this day.

Tug of War was Paul's first new album since the disappointing McCartney II. Much had happened in the 2 years since this, the break up of Wings, the irreparable loss of his old friend and bandmate John Lennon and a brief reunion of Paul, George and Ringo in 1981. The question was "Could he still cut it?!". Tug of War was a stunning return to form silencing all the critics. Paul was approaching his 40th birthday during the album's production and you can see that he was looking back through the years; the title track sums up the relationship of the post-split Beatles, "Ballroom Dancing" the Hamburg years and of course the touching tribute to John Lennon. It's FAB!!!!