Father McCartney Writing the Words...

[Greg]

How come Paul didn't really mention his father in any kind of song?  Or did he?  He wrote an entire love song to John, mentioned his mother, but never wrote about his father.  Shoot, even Uncles Albert and Ernie (Keith Moon), Auntie Gin, and Brother Michael get a mention.

Is there a song on his later albums that I missed?

Ok, if he didn't mention him, WHY do you think he didn't?

Me?  I think it is just Paul's nature not to reveal those kind of thoughts/feelings.

[lampie1970]

Me?  I think it is just Paul's nature not to reveal those kind of thoughts/feelings.

Me too...he very rarely writes about personal stuff. It is always like a mostly made up story with semi autobiographical details thrown in every now and then. But I think that is what makes the song about John so special.  It was to a real person with real feelings.

[chris]

flowers in the dirt's put it there was written about his father, i think. and i seem to (nearly) remember a big band-ish sounding b-side around late wings era (maybe speed of sound, maybe back to the egg) that was actually written by his pop (walking in the park with eloise)...or not. 

[Greg]

Oh yes.
I had blanked those right out.
The Walking in the Park was def a major tribute to his dad.  Recording one of his songs must have been a thrill for both.
And Put It There.  Yeah, didn't his dad used to say that to him or something?
I really like that song too.
Anyway.
Nice job on calling those two songs up.  Thanks.

[mervap]

As I recall, wasn't the Father McKenzie character in "Eleanor Rigby' originally blocked out the be Father McCartney? :)

[Greg]

Yep.  Paul nixed his original thought of Father McCartney because he didn't want anything read into it.  I'm not sure if Shotton told him it was a bad idea or if Paul decided it himself.  Shotton had something to do with that song lyrically anyway.  So did Ringo actually.

[chris]

and speaking of paul and his lyrics...i think unlike john, who wrote exactly what he was thinking while he was thinking it...paul wrote metaphorically. which occasionally came of as...sort of wishy washy. it is hard to say what a song is about if you aren't sure. but that doesn't mean it wasn't about anything...it (could) mean paul is just being purposefully vague.

could a song actually be about his father without using the words dad...or father? i bet it could be. if it was written by paul.

[Greg]

Great point...again.
Costello does that a lot.
Stipe too.  I was surprised when I learned that Harbor Coat was about Nazi Germany.
Maybe we just overlook the fact that his most well-known song is quite soul-bearing in a sense.   Yesterday.  Since it was born in a dream sense, maybe he was was wondering why his mother had to go.  I know I know the odds are miniscule, but I had to throw that out there.

[beatlefan]

that's not at all a reach. I have heard that suggested many times regarding "yesterday". I have heard that although it wasn't with jim mccartney in mind lyrically, that the style of "when I'm 64" and "honey pie" certainly had his dad's musical style! so,jim was definately not snubbed.