The Most Rare Beatle Composition by Paul McCartney: Penina - A Musical Curiosity

Beloved for their iconic hits and timeless music, The Beatles are often remembered through their most popular songs. However, Paul McCartney's seldom-heard composition, "Penina," stands as a unique and rare piece in their extensive discography. While not one of the band's best-known tracks, "Penina" remains a fascinating insight into McCartney's creativity during his time with The Beatles.

Paul McCartney composed "Penina" during a holiday in Portugal in December 1968. The song's name is derived from the hotel McCartney stayed at, Hotel Penina. In 1994, McCartney shared his story with fans in "Club Sandwich," a fan club magazine, describing how an impromptu session of music led to the birth of this curious little track. Speaking candidly, McCartney noted, “I went to Portugal on holiday and returned to the hotel one night slightly the worse for a few drinks. There was a band playing and I ended up on the drums. The hotel was called Penina, I made up a song with that name, someone made inquiries about it and I gave it to them. And no, I shouldn’t think I’d ever record it myself!”

The Song and Its Recording

While "Penina" might not have enjoyed widespread release, it did make its way onto an album. In 1980, EMI released an album titled "The Songs That Lennon and McCartney Gave Away." This collection includes several songs that were originally intended to be part of The Beatles' repertoire but ultimately were never officially recorded. "Penina" can be found on this album, having been recorded by an artist named Carlos Mendez. Interestingly, there is also a snippet of McCartney singing a slightly different version of the song during the 1969 "Get Back" sessions.

Rare in the Beatles Discography

When it comes to discussing the band's rarest songs, Paul McCartney's "Penina" is one of the standout examples. Many Beatle fans may not be familiar with this composition. Yet, McCartney's own words provide a glimpse into why "Penina" might be considered rare within The Beatles' extensive catalog. The song is a unique example of McCartney's spontaneous creativity, outside of the confines of carefully crafted Beatles hits.

The Other Side: Disliked Songs

While "Penina" might be a rarity, it isn't the only Paul McCartney song from The Beatles that doesn't receive airplay. One such song is "She's a Woman." Many fans would argue that this was one of McCartney's lesser compositions. It is often regarded as one of the bottom five worst songs in the roughly 200 original Beatles tracks, both musically and lyrically. Despite its poor reception, Paul McCartney still contributed numerous masterpieces to the Beatles' discography. "She's a Woman," on the other hand, is a prime example of a song that simply did not resonate with the band or their audience.

Conclusion

The most rare Beatle composition by Paul McCartney isn't necessarily the most disliked; rather, it is the rarely heard "Penina." This track, imbued with the spontaneous joy and creativity of Paul McCartney's journey in Portugal, serves as a reminder that even the most iconic bands can produce music that remains tucked away in the annals of fandom history. From the whimsical "Penina" to the overlooked "She's a Woman," Paul McCartney's contributions to The Beatles offer a rich and diverse musical landscape for fans to explore.

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