Yesterday I posted a video with the bass line and vocals for I Want You (She’s So Heavy). If you’ve not checked that out – it’s here:
Paul McCartney’s Greatest bass Line?
In yesterday’s post I talked about that for me it was either I Want You, or Something. So here’s Something given the bass and vocals treatment so you can directly compare:
This is probably the greatest!!
Amazing… thank you so much for sharing this. Love hearing the bass and vocals like this. Sounds so TRUE and clear.
Agree think this is the greatest
Is it just me but of all the songs mentioned, SHE’S SO HEAVY, SOMETHING, RAIN, TAXMAN, HEY BULL DOG, DEAR PRUDENCE, COME TOGETHER, AND OUR BIRD CAN SING, ETC…from the Beatle catalogue were primarily not a McCartney composition? Maybe, he was able to relax and really cut loose not having to worry about vocals, writing, this and that. He was able to shine and explore untrod bass roads on a John or George track. Maybe just himself and an engineer in the wee hours of the morning having a go. It also showed he was a true team player, bringing his best when his best was needed. Thanks to both “Pauls” for helping us to stay on the right road.
I maybe wrong but I always mess with mates stuff (improvise) embellish chords try 7ths is a d7 instead of major etc. But when I’ve written something when it’s completed I’ve done the best I think I can and don’t visualise opertunities to do more with it. I guess for want of a better term “I can’t see the wood for the trees” as I’m to deep in the wood and feel it’s reached the best.
I look at John or Daves compositions (songs) and there always seems to be so much other stuff I can do to enhance there work. Sounds a bit like I’m up myself but it’s like on playing I see opportunities to embellish chords change majors to 7th to add a different dimension or an airy feel etc, and in fairness they do the same on mine (and often I love it) which is good as it opens my eyes to how I could possibly have done a bit more (or better).
Sir paul can be a bit anal (change song credits etc)but I love the guy what true talent and what a voice a beautiful voice, and such great harmonies.
And when he lets it all “come together” and rocks out there ain’t many that were as great as our Paul.
Thank you for sharing all this stuff and your excellent bass lessons in a way that even this humble bumbling chords bashing old git can grasp.
Sadly his playing got overshadowed by the vocals and lyrics. Thanks for sharing, I’m 67 and started playing back in 65 so this is special for me.
the McCartney bass lines always impressed me when I started way back when and still do. Love these isolated tracks
These 2 are particularly impressive IMO!
But this is a George Harrison song, my favourite Beatles song of all time. Great bass, but it’s George writing and singing, not Paul.
But George didn’t come up with the bassline. And writing a song is not the same as writing the bass line. The title of the post isn’t McCartney’s Greatest Bassliens on Songs That He Wrote 😉