Paul McCartney Beyond The Beatles: His Early Collaborations and Compositions

Paul McCartney, one of the most influential musicians of all time, is renowned for his extensive work with The Beatles. However, before he became a global superstar, he wrote and collaborated with several other artists. This article explores Paul McCartney's early musical endeavors beyond The Beatles, focusing on his compositions and collaborations.

Early Compositions and Their Destinations

Some of McCartney's earliest songs achieved fame not due to his involvement with The Beatles but rather through other artists. One notable example is the song Love of the Loved. Composed before The Beatles were even formed, this track became a part of their live performances. However, instead of being performed by The Beatles, it was given to Cilla Black, who released a personal rendition of the song. This decision illustrates McCartney's willingness to share his work with others, even before his connections with the Fab Four had cemented his fame.

Another famous example is the song World Without Love. Written when Paul was just 16, this composition was passed along to the duo of Peter and Gordon. In 1964, Peter and Gordon took World Without Love all the way to the top of the charts, securing it a place in pop music history. This early success not only demonstrated McCartney's innate talent but also his foresight in recognizing the potential of his fellow musicians.

Collaborating with Other Artists

McCartney's collaboration with other artists began even earlier than one might think, before The Beatles hit mainstream success. During the early days of The Beatles, he and fellow Beatle John Lennon were on a tour with Helen Shapiro, supporting the headlining artist. At Norrie Paramor's request, they wrote a song specifically for Shapiro's upcoming album. Though Shapiro's management did not feel the song suitable for her, it was recorded and released by Kenny Lynch, supporting act on the tour. This event marked Kenny Lynch as the first person to release a cover version of a Beatles song, a significant milestone in the band's musical journey.

Meanwhile, the Beatles themselves recorded their version of this song and included it on their debut album, Please Please Me.

Other Early Collaborations

While Kenny Lynch's Misery did not chart, it paved the way for other artists to cover Beatles' songs. In 1963, Del Shannon's cover of From Me to You became a hit in the United States. Despite The Beatles' relative obscurity in the U.S. at the time, this cover single helped introduce their music to a broader audience.

For fans of music, there is no better way to appreciate these early songs than by listening to various covers. Here is a special bonus track: one of my favorite covers of Misery by the legendary Flamin' Groovies from around 1976. Enjoy the music!