10 Most Rocking Paul McCartney Songs

10 Best Songs With The Word 'Love' In The Title

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Our article on the 10 most rocking Paul McCartney songs showcases Paul McCartney’s rock and roll side throughout his entire musical career. For this article, we decided to present 10 songs from his time as a member of The Beatles, the band Wings, and, of course, his solo albums. Naturally, McCartney’s discography could easily support a top 50 most rocking songs list from The Beatles’ music alone. Additionally, some of his greatest rock contributions during his solo career came with Wings, so we’ve split this list between Beatles songs, Wings tracks, and one surprising choice from his solo catalog.

This is just a small sampling of Paul McCartney’s greatest rock and roll moments. He’s had hundreds—if not thousands—of them throughout his career, but he’s also written some of the most beautiful ballads and substantial pieces of pop music we’ve ever heard. In the end, McCartney is arguably the greatest songwriter of the modern era. Who else could you place in the same league as him? No one.

We hope you enjoy this list. You’ll probably think of many songs that could have made it, but as usual, we’ve chosen to keep it to just 10.

**# 10 – Nod Your Head – Memory Almost Full – Paul McCartney**

This is definitely the most surprising pick on this list for most people, and it will probably get a lot of flack for being chosen—but that’s okay. That’s just a normal day for us. The reason we chose this one is, first and foremost, that it’s a pretty rocking Paul McCartney tune. It’s also one that a lot of old-school Beatles and Paul McCartney fans may have missed unless you’re a die-hard fan who buys every single album he puts out, just like we do. If you are, you know this one—and if you’re a die-hard Paul McCartney fan, you probably like it. If not, we hope it’s a pleasant surprise. Of course, there are tons of Beatles songs that are closer to this theme, but we do like to make these lists interesting for everyone.

“Nod Your Head,” was the closing track from Paul McCartney’s 2007 album Memory Almost Full. Recorded between 2003 and 2006 at various studios, including The Mill and Abbey Road, the track was produced by David Kahne. McCartney himself played all instruments on the song, including bass, guitar, drums, and keyboards.

Read More: Top 10 Paul McCartney Solo Songs

**# 9 – Letting Go – Venus And Mars – Paul McCartney & Wings**

“Letting Go,” released in 1975 as a single from Wings’ Venus and Mars album, is a sultry, blues-tinged rocker that showcases Paul McCartney’s ability to craft songs that are both atmospheric and emotionally resonant. Recorded at Sea-Saint Studio in New Orleans and Abbey Road Studios in London, the track was produced by Paul McCartney and features Wings members Linda McCartney on backing vocals and keyboards, Denny Laine on guitar and backing vocals, Joe English on drums, and Jimmy McCulloch on lead guitar. The horn section, arranged by Tony Dorsey, adds a soulful depth to the track, enhancing its moody, late-night vibe.

**# 8 – Beware My Love – Silly Love Songs – Paul McCartney & Wings**

With its explosive energy and dynamic shifts, “Beware My Love” stands as one of Wings’ most powerful rock tracks. Featured on the 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound, the song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and AIR Studios in London. Produced by Paul McCartney, the track showcases the talents of Wings members Linda McCartney on keyboards, Denny Laine on rhythm guitar, Joe English on drums, and Jimmy McCulloch, whose lead guitar work adds fiery intensity to the piece. Paul McCartney himself delivers a raw, impassioned vocal performance and anchors the song with his commanding bass lines.

# 7 – Jet – Band On The Run – Paul McCartney & Wings

“Jet,” a high-energy rocker by Wings, was released in 1974 as the lead single from the Band on the Run album. Recorded at EMI Studios in Lagos, Nigeria, and completed at AIR Studios in London, the song was produced by Paul McCartney along with longtime collaborator George Martin. Featuring McCartney on vocals, bass, keyboards, and lead guitar, the track also includes Linda McCartney on backing vocals and keyboards, Denny Laine on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, and Howie Casey’s vibrant saxophone contributions. The result is a dynamic and exuberant track that remains one of Wings’ most beloved songs. The song was a commercial and critical success, reaching number seven on both the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100.

Read More: Top 10 Paul McCartney Albums

# 6 – Juniors Farm – Single – Paul McCartney & Wings

Released as a stand-alone single in 1974, “Junior’s Farm” is a rollicking, guitar-driven track that captures Wings at their most playful and energetic. Recorded at Sound Shop Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Paul McCartney, the song features Paul on bass and vocals, Linda McCartney on keyboards and backing vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and backing vocals, Jimmy McCulloch on lead guitar, and Geoff Britton on drums. The track was inspired by the McCartneys’ time spent on a farm owned by songwriter Curly Putman, lending the song its unique title and rural charm. “Junior’s Farm” was a commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

# 5 – **Venus And Mars/Rock Show – Venus And Mars – Paul McCartney & Wings**

“Venus and Mars/Rock Show” is an electrifying medley that opens Wings’ 1975 album Venus and Mars. Recorded at Sea-Saint Studio in New Orleans and Abbey Road Studios in London, the track was produced by Paul McCartney and features the classic Wings lineup: McCartney on bass, piano, and lead vocals; Linda McCartney on keyboards and backing vocals; Denny Laine on rhythm guitar and backing vocals; Jimmy McCulloch on lead guitar; and Joe English on drums. Seamlessly blending two distinct sections, the medley introduces the album with an air of anticipation before exploding into a raucous celebration of live rock performance.

# 4 – I’m Down – B Side – The Beatles

“I’m Down,” a raucous rocker by The Beatles, showcases Paul McCartney channeling his rawest, Little Richard-inspired energy. Released as the B-side to the iconic Help! single in 1965, the track was recorded in a single session on June 14, 1965, at EMI Studios in London. Produced by George Martin, the song features McCartney on lead vocals and bass, John Lennon on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, George Harrison on lead guitar, and Ringo Starr pounding out the propulsive drumbeat. Lennon’s distinctive addition of the Hohner Pianet keyboard adds a wild, frenetic texture to the song’s already blistering energy.

Read More: Top 10 Beatles Songs 1965-1966

# 3 – Can’t Buy Me Love – Beatles Single – The Beatles

The Beatles: 1962-1966 (The Red Album) (2CD)

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” one of The Beatles’ most enduring rock anthems, highlights Paul McCartney’s knack for crafting infectious melodies and timeless themes. Written primarily by McCartney and credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, the song was recorded at Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris on January 29, 1964, during a break in the band’s European tour. Produced by George Martin, the track features McCartney on lead vocals and bass, John Lennon on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, George Harrison on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Ringo Starr delivering a lively drum performance. Harrison’s crisp, bluesy guitar solo adds a dynamic edge to the song’s exuberant rhythm. Released as a single in March 1964, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a commercial juggernaut, reaching number one in the UK and the US, where it was also featured on the album A Hard Day’s Night.

Read More: Top 10 Beatles Songs of 1964

**# 2 – Helter Skelter – The White Album – The Beatles**

The Beatles (The White Album) (50th Anniversary

“Helter Skelter” is often hailed as one of The Beatles’ most ferocious and influential rock songs, with Paul McCartney delivering a primal, unrelenting performance that set a new standard for heavy rock in the late 1960s. Recorded during the sessions for The White Album at EMI Studios in London in 1968, the track was produced by George Martin and engineered by Ken Scott and Chris Thomas. Featuring McCartney on lead vocals and bass, John Lennon on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, George Harrison on lead guitar, and Ringo Starr pounding out one of his most chaotic drum performances, the song’s raw energy and chaotic spirit pushed the boundaries of The Beatles’ sound.

“Helter Skelter” stands as a landmark in rock history, showcasing Paul McCartney and The Beatles at their most adventurous and uncompromising. Its place on this list celebrates McCartney’s ability to embrace the extremes of rock, blending intensity, innovation, and raw energy into a track that remains as impactful today as it was over five decades ago.

Read More: Top 10 Beatles Songs 1967-1968

# 1 – “Oh! Darling” – The Beatles

Closing this list is “Oh! Darling,” a passionate and soulful track from Abbey Road that showcases Paul McCartney’s ability to channel raw emotion through his vocal performance. Recorded at EMI Studios in London in 1969, the song was produced by George Martin and features McCartney on lead vocals and bass, John Lennon on backing vocals and piano, George Harrison on guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums. The track stands out on Abbey Road for its throwback to early rock and roll and its deep emotional intensity.

McCartney’s vocal delivery, marked by grit and desperation, was the result of repeated takes as he aimed for the perfect rawness to match the song’s heart-wrenching lyrics. The result is one of his most memorable performances, capturing the vulnerability and pain of someone pleading to save a crumbling relationship. Compared to the unrestrained chaos of “Helter Skelter,” another entry on this list, “Oh! Darling” is slower but no less intense, channeling its power into soulful, bluesy energy.

As the closing song on this list, “Oh! Darling” is a fitting finale, highlighting McCartney’s unparalleled ability to combine emotional depth with technical brilliance.

Read More: Top 10 Beatles Songs 1969-1970

Updated May 14, 2025

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One Response

Jens Sundin December 9, 2024

First of all I want to thank you for this website called Classic rock. It gives me the opportunity to listen to songs that I had not previously heard or discovered. Above all, I like the themes that refer to “best rocking songs”. However, I have some opinions about the episode that dealt with Paul McCartney’s most rocking songs. Here I was a little surprised when, in my opinion, there were several songs that are not real rock songs, while I miss some of his real rock songs such as “Helen wheels” (a lively rock’n’roll song about driving on the road, inspired by McCartney’s Land Rover), “Medicine jar” (a rocking song with a dark theme that deals with the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse), “I´ve had enough” (a powerful, bluesy rock style with driving guitars and a rhythmic rush that makes the song one of the rockier ones on the album London Town), “Girl´s school” (typical mix of rock, pop and blues is clearly present here, and the song has an attraction to the classic rock’n’roll style), “Soily” (one of McCartney’s more energetic and hard-rocking songs, it stands out for its heavy guitar-driven sound. The song starts with a fast riff, and the whole arrangement is quite rough and almost a bit punk for its time), “Save us” (a fast, guitar-driven rock song from Paul McCartney’s album New from 2013. It showcases McCartney’s ability to blend classic rock elements with modern production), “Slidin´ (a song from Paul McCartney’s 1982 album Tug of War. This is a rocking, energetic and quite raw song that reflects McCartney’s ability to create heavy and intense rock tracks), “Old Siam, sir” (a playful and energetic song from Wing’s album Back to the Egg (1979). The song has a rather tough rock style with a rather swinging tempo and a distinct bass line and offers a fairly straightforward rock arrangement with heavy drums and energetic guitars).

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