Over the course his illustrious post-Beatles career, Sir Paul McCartney released 21 singles that crashed the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100. In addition, he’s recorded nine Number 1 hits in the US. Despite some grumblings that his solo work did not come close to The Beatles (has any artist come close to the Beatles?), McCartney was a hit machine in the 70’s and 80’s – far surpassing the commercial success of the other three members of The Fab Four. Included here are songs recorded under Paul McCartney, Wings and Paul McCartney and Wings. Not included are songs released on other albums such as the “The Girl Is Mine” from Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
“Another Day” # 5 (1971) non-album single
“Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” #1 (1971) from Ram
“Hi, Hi, Hi / C Moon” #10 (1972) non-album single by Wings
“My Love” #1 (1973) from Red Rose Speedway by Paul McCartney and Wings
“Live and Let Die” #2 (1973) from Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney and Wings
“Helen Wheels” #10 (1973) from Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
“Jet” #7 (1973) from Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
“Band on the Run” #1 (1974) from Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
“Junior’s Farm” #3 (1974) non-album single
“Listen to What the Man Said” #1 (1975) from Venus and Mars by Wings
“Silly Love Songs” #1 (1976) from Wings at the Speed of Sound by Wings
“Let ‘Em In” #3 (1976) from Wings at the Speed of Sound by Wings
“Maybe I’m Amazed” (live) #10 (1977) from Wings Over America by Wings
“With a Little Luck” #1 (1978) from London Town by Wings
“Goodnight Tonight” #5 (1979) non-album single by Wings
“Coming Up” #1 (1980) from McCartney II
“Ebony and Ivory” (with Stevie Wonder) #1 (1982) from Tug of War
“Take it Away” #10 (1982) from Tug of War
“Say Say Say” (with Michael Jackson) #1 (1983) from Pipes of Peace
“No More Lonely Nights” #6 (1984) from Give My Regards to Broad Street
“Spies Like Us” #7 (1985) non-album single
George Harrison
Harrison came out of the gate with great material. His 1970 album All These Must Pass is considered one of the best albums of the 70’s and possibly the best of all post-Beatles solo records. While Harrison had the least amount of Top 10 US hits of the four Beatles, he did hit #1 on three different occasions.
“My Sweet Lord” #1 (1970) from All Things Must Pass
“What Is Life” #10 (1971) from All Things Must Pass
“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” #1 (1973) from Living in the Material World
“All Those Years Ago” #2 (1981) from Somewhere in England
“Got My Mind Set on You” #1 (1987) from Cloud Nine
John Lennon
As one half of the Lennon-McCartney sing writing team – arguably the greatest songwriting partnership in the history of recorded music – John Lennon enjoyed success as a solo artist. However, his commercial success is not even close to McCartney’s. Even if you account for his untimely death where he was clearly at a creative peak, Lennon didn’t have nearly as many hits in the 70’s as his partner.
“Instant Karma!” #3 (1970) non-album single
“Imagine” #3 (1971) from Imagine
“Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” #1 (1974) from Walls and Bridges
“#9 Dream” #9 (1974) from Walls and Bridges
“(Just Like) Starting Over” #1 (1980) from Double Fantasy
“Woman” #2 (1981) from Double Fantasy
“Watching the Wheels” #10 (1981) from Double Fantasy
“Nobody Told Me” #5 (1984) from Milk and Honey
Ringo Starr
Ringo was always the fourth Beatle in terms of songwriting and performing. However, he quickly established himself as a commercial force in his solo career. In fact, Ringo had as many Top 10 US hits as John Lennon (8) and more than George Harrison. Starr had an astounding run of 8 consecutive Top 10 hits in the US from 1971-1975.
“It Don’t Come Easy” #4 (1971) non-album single
“Back Off Boogaloo” #9 (1972) non-album single
“Photograph” #1 (1973) from Ringo
“You’re Sixteen” #1 (1973) from Ringo
“Oh My My” #5 (1974) from Ringo
“Only You (And You Alone)” #6 (1974) from Goodnight Vienna
