Tug of War

[The Big Guy]

Released in 1982.

[Kylenz]

A slick record, brilliant production by Paul and George Martin. I'm actually a FAN of Ebony and Ivory. I don't care if every other Paul fan in the world is ashamed of that song, I personally love it! 

Take It Away is one of my favourite solo Paul songs of all time (Ringo is in the video too). I do however prefer the Broad Street versions of Ballroom Dancing and Wanderlust over the Tug Of War versions.  The Pound Is Sinking is another top pick. I wish he would play that song live!

[mervap]

Not all Paul fans are ashamed of "Ebony"...I like Paul's solo version of it better.

Take It Away is one of my favourite solo Paul songs of all time (Ringo is in the video too).

As is George Martin...I remember thinking, "Who's that old dude in Paul's band?"

"The Pound Is Sinking"...a brilliant song...heck, there isn't a song on this album that I don't at least 'like'.

[chris]

tug of war is an album that while many people claim to love...i feel doesn't really get the attention it deserves. this is a classic. from the opening guitar chorus on the title track...i knew i was in for something special. he was dealing with his own demons while making this record. with the death of john lennon...to the breakup of his band, wings. he responded admirably (as many artists do...to tragedy)

for my money...beginning with ballroom dancing, the pound is sinking (which sports the finest middle 8 he has ever written, which speaks volumes since paul has always been the middle 8 master) and ending with wanderlust...is the finest three consecutive songs released on a paulie solo album in his entire arsenal.

it took me years to appreciate here today. i knew what it was about. but it just didn't resonate with me till years later. when i saw this song performed live in 2002, it not only surprised me, but in that intimate setting, as well as its deep meaning, nearly had me in tears.

take it away sported a fantastic bass line that had been missing in paul's recent releases.

this album is deep. and it is filled with so many intricate subtleties, that you may miss them on first listen. go back and put this one on the cd player again. its a voyage you will not regret. and strap yourself in for some terrific middle 8's.

[EddieV]

This is a briiliant album, sure it is!! Great rockers and ballads and what is in between. It is not so high in my rankings maybe because there wasn´t a tour to support it.

Starts off very good and continues to the last to songs where something happens Dress Me Up As A Robber and Ebony and Ivory

[RickStark79]

This is a briiliant album, sure it is!! Great rockers and ballads and what is in between. It is not so high in my rankings maybe because there wasn´t a tour to support it.

Starts off very good and continues to the last to songs where something happens Dress Me Up As A Robber and Ebony and Ivory

I think Dress Me Up As A Robber gets better everytime I hear it.  It's like rock/funk/disco/prog rock/folk all mixed into one 3 minute jam.  I just love it!

[MeanMrMustard]

Wanderlust is one of my fave Macca comps...the in-studio sequence of the song in Give My Regards To Broadstreet version is the best, I feel (btw, didnt Ringo look totally layed-back in that scene!! LOL)

(ps : the Tug Of War Wanderlust isnt too bad either lol)

[Pam]

Eek - really didn't like this album.  Most of the songs seem very "cutesy" to me.  I used to buy all the McCartney albums that hit the shelves, but didn't buy anymore after this until "Flowers in the Dirt."

[Greg]

Love the album.  I like Ebony also but wish it was just a single and not on the album.  His voice was so great at this point, and the songs were great.  I wish he would have written more into a double album for this one. 

[mervap]

There almost was enough for a double....the leftovers (mostly) ended up on "Pipes of Peace".

[acebackwords]

There almost was enough for a double....the leftovers (mostly) ended up on "Pipes of Peace".

Course maybe thats why its such a great album.  Because for once Macca managed to keep the "leftovers" off of it.  I never heard "Pipes of Peace."  Do the songs hold up?

For my tastes, this is one of the great Beatles solo albums (really like the under-rated "Red Rose Speedway" too, but I'm not sure if its a great album or if it just caught me at the right time (age 16)).  "Ballroom Dancing" is a great one.  And "Here Today..." nobody can write a tear-jerker like Macca.

[chris]

Let's not forget my all time top three solo McCartney songs...Wanderlust.

One of the things that Paul stands out from other artists is he writes great middle 8's. I'd argue his greatest ever is in the song The Pound is Sinking.

This album is full of really memorable moments.

[2 of 3]

I never heard "Pipes of Peace."  Do the songs hold up?

Let's put it this way....you are welcome to my copy. 

[mervap]

I never heard "Pipes of Peace."  Do the songs hold up?

Some of them do..."Keep Under Cover", The Other Me" & "So Bad" might not have sounded out of place on "Tug", but overall, the quality just isn't as good on "Pipes".

[mervap]

One of the things that Paul stands out from other artists is he writes great middle 8's. I'd argue his greatest ever is in the song The Pound is Sinking.

You know, that middle 8 was an entirely different song in demo form.....I think they were both on a boot I saw called "Rude Demos". They work brilliantly together, eh?