Top 20 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written by Paul McCartney

We hope McCartney never stops writing songs! For this list, WatchMojoUK counts down the Top 20 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written by Paul McCartney. We're looking at hits written by McCartney for other artists, including Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Cilla Black, and many more! Let us know your favourite tune from the Cute Beatle in the comments.
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WatchMojoUK is your source for British Top 10s, covering popular shows like Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Great British Bake Off, Coronation Street, This Morning, Good Morning Britain, The Graham Norton Show, Sherlock, and more! We also cover the latest in British Movies, Music and Pop Culture - We Top 10 it all!
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[@WatchMojoUK]

Which of the Beatles do you think had the best songs? Top 10 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written by John Lennon kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKqmZJiDoJ6WrKc Top 10 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By George Harrison kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnjcfXirqdikgrM

[@markzappasodi]

Yes.

[@sejrec56]

I always knew who wrote what with the Beatles , lol So not something I didn't know what songs each of them wrote, but I'm an obsessive fan.

[@xenotbbbeats7209]

What's weird is when I heard Badfinger's "Come and Get It," as a child, I got confused because I swore that was a Beatles song, but my older siblings kept telling me it wasn't. It has an undeniable Beatles sound.

[@patmanchester8045]

yeah. I have always thought you can tell a Paul McCartney song when you hear it. Thay have that "Paul" sound.

[@xenotbbbeats7209]

@@patmanchester8045 It's the rhythmic happy piano chord beat. Someone told me John got sick of it.🤣🤣

[@UseByDate-Expired]

Is it possible you heard Paul's version, bootlegged? Paul made his demo of the song, come and get it, as a blueprint for Badfinger and insisted they do it note for note the way he did it. He did the same for Mary Hopkin with "Goodbye", insisting it be done the way he did it.

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

@@xenotbbbeats7209 Someone was wrong. Paul recorded the demo alone in Abbey Road, playing all the instruments. John wasn't present.

[@modernretroradio993]

Paul recorded the demo for Badfinger and insisted they play it exactly like his, which they did.

[@trinaq]

Wow, Paul certainly has a knack for songwriting, I love many of the tunes on this list. He's 81, and is still continuing to thrive away, doing what he loves. ❤

[@Freyja_M4106]

Word, but i gotta say m pretty much done giving Ringo a pass on his shitty musik. Being one the last Beatles shouldn't guilt us into hearing more crap just because he is Ringo an he said "peace and love"!

[@modernretroradio993]

Check out "Electric Arguments."

[@MrBigShotFancyPants]

I'm pretty much done giving Paul a pass on his limited musical ability. I think maybe he ordered the hit on John just to be the most relevant Beatle left. Yet George still blows him away... imo ​@@Freyja_M4106

[@margiedavis1685]

I've known this talent since 1964 & now I'm 70! Beatles Forever~

[@grobannoel]

There simply aren't enough words to describe the joy that Paul's music has brought to me in my life.

[@notyouraccount566]

His mind just keeps on going. I was lucky enough to touch one of his early pianos at the r&r hall of fame museums. I’m an old man but I cried touching a part of history

[@alexharvey1787]

This guys throwaway songs are better than most peoples best songs. Whoever is 2nd behind McCartney is a hell of a long way behind.

[@jp3813]

That would be John Lennon. Although many lists apparently rank Bob Dylan above both of them.

[@alexharvey1787]

@@jp3813 Yes mate, Lennon for sure. Dylan was a good lyricist I think, but as far as voice range and versatility goes he is surely miles behind McCartney and Lennon. Also McCartney can play every instrument

[@jp3813]

@@alexharvey1787 This is about songwriting though.

[@alexharvey1787]

@@jp3813 very true. I was edging off topic.

[@BetsyApple]

The Beatles music spoke the words of hope from all the innocents who died in crazy wars then and now. Love is all you need!

[@TheRealDermatologist]

a genius pure and simple.. we will miss him when he goes..

[@user-zo9wf2wn9m]

Paul was the driving force behind the Beatles. He far surpassed Lennon. The man continuous to put out incredible music.

[@freden9234]

20. Mine for Me 19. 4th of July 18. Penina 17. Let’s Love 16. Catcall 15. Giddy 14. If I Take You Home Tonight 13. Love in the Open Air 12. On the Wings of a Nightingale 11. It’s for You 10. Veronica 9. Six O’Clock 8. I Wanna be Your Man 7. Songbird in a Cage 6. I’ll Keep You Satisfied 5. Woman 4. A World Without Love 3. Goodbye 2. Like Dreamers Do 1. Come and Get It 😊

[@cynskeptical]

Thanks

[@Susanna-ti2pv]

The challenge is writing for someone other than yourself and it's a perfect fit. Paul's versatility upgrades his musicianship. Very generous.

[@jp3813]

Many times, the song was already written before an artist was chosen.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Has any other artist given so much away. Take You Home Tonight is beautiful. Love in the the Open Air is also a stunningly gorgeous piece. I love John, George and Ringo but in all truth could they have written such material in such vast quantity and quality. McCartney is absolute genius.

[@paulwalker9421]

Ringo said they would not have produced so much music if it had not been for Paul.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Good ol' Ringo always just happily being straight forward. I admire him and thanks for your reply. It certainly is pretty much a known truth amongst Beatle fans. I hope you have a great week.,@@paulwalker9421

[@jp3813]

@@paulwalker9421 Although I believe The Beatles recorded slightly more songs by John.

[@jp3813]

Somebody said that Barry Gibb gave away more songs & hits to other artists. Prince was also up there.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

@@jp3813 Yes that's true and a good point. I know Prince wrote (or gave) Manic Monday to the Bangles. People who share art are the best. Cheers.

[@sejrec56]

Even though many Paul's post Beatles songs in 80s and On were no comparison to his solo and Wings era. Few good tunes scattered throughout last 20 years , but should still not take away from the huge and fantastic or beautifully written catalog of some of the best songs ever written with Lennon. Timeless, and will be loved forever much longer after all of us are gone . For future generations for ever! A collaboration by the Beatles and our creator ! The magic of the joining up of McCartney, Lennon, Harrison and Starr was a miracle to have even happened ! But most likely will never happen like that again.

[@jp3813]

Don't forget George Martin.

[@sejrec56]

@@jp3813 absolutely correct and George Martin (the real 5th Beatle)

[@kingshearer2]

yes they were smoking some great stuff back then

[@cleret1407]

In the same way as Elvis was recognised for his being 'different ' ,so were the Beatles who stood out as a multi talented group of boys whose sound, style and humour was such that they were instantly recognised.

[@dommidavros2211]

Wow! This was very educational! Thanks!

[@captaincarl8230]

It certainly was and even met the man, Sir Paul that is. I hadn't heard some of these songs since some of them were in the UK and I'm in the US.

[@patricksmith4424]

Another thing you can add to Paul's long Genius list is how the songs he writes for other people actually fit their style perfectly. Paul's colaboration with Costello was awesome, and produced some great songs, Veronica amongst them. It also re booted his touring.

[@julianaylor4351]

Paul McCartney once said he has many unpublished, half finished and finished songs, and I can believe that. I once saw him on The South Bank Show, compose a song on the spot on a piano on the show, in front of Melvin Bragg. Diana Krall is the wife of Elvis Costello, whom Paul McCartney also wrote songs with and collaborated with musically, recording together. Long Tall Sally is a Beatles EP not an album. EPs were four songs on 7 inch single format, common until the introduction of 12 inch singles.

[@jp3813]

Prince also has tons of unreleased material in his vault even after decades of releasing albums almost annually and also giving away songs to other artists. Apparently, him & Paul are neck & neck when it comes to sales. Of course, that doesn't count The Beatles.

[@kingshearer2]

He probably had the song already rattling in his head

[@fshoaps]

Macca is the greatest songwriter in the history of modern music!

[@modernretroradio993]

I think The Bee Gees -- Barry Gibb, particularly -- eclipse McCartney when it comes to songs that were written for other artists. Countless hits.

[@jp3813]

Apparently, many rank Bob Dylan higher.

[@modernretroradio993]

@@fshoaps I think U2's Bono is the best rock lyricist of all time.

[@fshoaps]

@@modernretroradio993 I think it’s John Lennon. And I think Bono might just agree.

[@rupertschwarz1176]

McCartney is alway so good to listen, but Lennon wrote the more interesting songs. Together they worked magic.

[@angieallen4884]

Great content; thanks! As a life long McCartney/Beatles fan, this was a terrific compilation. I knew about a few of them, but loved learning about the others. Once you know it, you realize the distinctive McCartney sound in them.

[@patbrennan6572]

This is just one more reason I believe Paul is the greatest musical composer of all time. I'm sure Bach and Mozart would agree.

[@pallen49]

My two favorites are...' Goodbye' and ' World Without Love '...

[@kenmclemore523]

We can hear McCartney's compositional voice in practically all of these examples, either stylistically, lyrically or instrumentally; his body of work has become genuinely recognizable to the extent that newer composer/performers emulate him today, such as Emily Linge... KDM

[@JeffSchall]

Veronica is such a great song, and it's about Alzheimer's. The lyrics are brilliant, and the music matches.

[@alanwhit8770]

Paul knew Cilla when she was a hatcheck girl called Cilla White at the Cavern!

[@danveddern6427]

Surprised that Bad to Me didn’t make it, but fun list.

[@sejrec56]

Members of Badfinger told me that McCartney was adamant that they reproduce it EXACLY as he did on his demo for them. They had to emulate it almost perfectly and it will be a hit, and they did, and it was!

[@UCS0608]

That's a wellknown fact... 😁

[@TOP5InstantRegret]

Viewing your video feels like embarking on an evocative time-travel adventure, enabling us to revisit the opulence of Hollywood's past and celebrate the remarkable achievements of these actors in today's context.

[@mikestylianou]

Thank you for all this and eye-opener, even for a Beatles fan

[@gdholmfirth]

If you're a Beatles fan, you knew most of these already.

[@rslitman]

Regarding "It's for You": Living in the U.S., I am more familiar with two other versions of this song than Cilla Black's. The first one was done by Three Dog Night on their first album in 1968. The second was by the group Springwell, released as a single in 1971. It was a note-for-note copy of the Three Dog Night version.

[@tonymifsud8785]

Great clip Alan , great track 🎸🤘🏻

[@SpaceCattttt]

Wow, this must be the first time that a Mojo video title wasn't entirely wrong! I've only heard half of these songs before. I knew they were written by Paul, but I had no idea of the existence of any of the others.

[@GregoryKeithe]

What a great list!❤

[@rslitman]

Regarding "Woman": As one who has always been fascinated by different songs with the same title, I think it's interesting that John Lennon and Paul McCartney both wrote songs called "Woman" apart from each other. John's was a hit single from his "Double Fantasy" album. Paul has written or co-written two different songs called "Hold Me Tight", one by the Beatles and one by Wings,

[@topherthe11th23]

It's a bit more difficult to be surprised by the Rolling Stones recording of "I Wanna Be Your Man" than by these others, as it was on the Beatles' first U.S.A. album, "Meet The Beatles". I don't know where it was on the British albums, but a person can look that up.

[@Mr22thou]

Not hard to hear why he didn't record all these himself. There are a few good ones though. I have always loved Come and Get It by Badfinger, Good Bye by the adorable Mary Hopkin and Woman by Peter and Gordon in particular. And though it ain't much of a song, I Wanna Be Your Man is a fun rocker to dance to. So is The Beatles version.

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

I believe that's Paul singing backup on Mine For Me.

[@lifebeatmusic1565]

A World Without Love is the best of it all!!!

[@joshlunt7827]

Interesting video! 😁

[@rslitman]

Regarding Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas: If I recall correctly, Lennon and McCartney wrote two other songs they did, "Bad to Me" and "From a Window". The non-Beatles artist with whom I most associate "I Call Your Name" is the Mamas and Papas. I am also familiar with a version by another American group, the Buckinghams.

[@paulobueno864]

Came and get it is one of my favorites songs of Macca. Wonderful.

[@ichbinich3166]

On the Wings of a nightingale is such a wonderful song. It brings a lot of childhood memories. Didn‘t know that Macca wrote it.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS ONE WAS A STINKER AND WAS SURPRISED AT WHO HE WROTE IT FOR. THE EVERLYS WERE ONE OF PAULS IDOLS. HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER 4 SURE. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO COMMENT BACK SO DON'T. EVERYTHING PAUL WROTE IN YOUR MIND WAS GOLD. THE FACT THE SONG WENT NOWHERE FOR THEM ONLY PROVES I'M RIGHT. SONGS DON'T LIE. STEP INSIDE LOVE WAS ANOTHER STINKER WRITTEN FOR CILLA BLACK. IT WAS A DUD THAT WENT NOWHERE AS WELL. I'M ALSO A BIG BEATLES & MCCARTNEY FAN. I JUST TELL IT LIKE IT IS. NOW PROVE ME WRONG AND REPLY BACK WITH ONE SONG YOU THOUGHT HE WROTE THAT WAS A STINKER. THERE ARE OTHERS.

[@ichbinich3166]

@@TRICK-OR-TREAT236 No, I really like the song. There are a lot of Macca songs which I personally don't like. Silly Love Songs e.g. Or Waterfalls. or After the Ball or ObladiOblada or, or. or.... But Wings of a nightingale is a nice one IMO.

[@IsaacWale2004]

Arguably the best song writer of all time.

[@gnzrx333]

Pretty hard not to know that "I Wanna Be Your Man" was at least written by Lennon/McCartney, simply because The Beatles also recorded it on "Meet The Beatles" (or whatever other album title was used depending on which side of the ocean the album was released)

[@artedejali]

Nice ❤ Thank you 😊

[@johannebaker9730]

And what I love is he doesn’t read music! Amazing talent x

[@PeterMackett]

I never knew "Goodbye" was written by him.

[@beatlemania2006]

FUN FACT: "Like Dreamers Do" was later given to the group the Applejacks, who had a hit single with "Tell Me When". As a follow up to that single, it became a Top 20 hit in 1964. You're welcome, Mojo (Filter)....😊

[@herbertashe4351]

Great !

[@gdholmfirth]

Number 8 through number one are as well-known by McCartney fans as his songs as something like "Hey Jude". How could we possibly not know about the songs for Peter and Gordon and Badfinger?

[@modernretroradio993]

The implication of this list is that these are well-known songs that we'd be surprised to know were written by Macca. With the exception of the Badfinger song (a big hit) and The Everly Brothers song (a minor hit that I LOVE!), I was unaware of these songs' existence at all, let alone that McCartney wrote them.

[@williamashton9235]

"Goodbye" was all over the radio in 1969.

[@modernretroradio993]

@@williamashton9235 As a McCartney fan, I'm familiar with it by title but I couldn't begin to tell you how it goes.

[@Housemartinuk]

The BJK & The Dakotas song that Lennon was dissatified with and that The Beatles recorded and released on the 'Long Tall Sally' E.P. (not album) was "I Call Your Name", not "I'll Keep You Satisfied".

[@williamwilliams1139]

What about Love Of The Loved also recorded by Cilla Black There is actual audio of the Beatles doing this song.

[@adriancalin8688]

Paul mc cartney genius love New musical Express

[@jabohonu]

Ser Paul McCartney it's a gift to the world

[@michaelbaldauf]

Those were the days is also from McCartney. He also wrote songs for Michael Jackson.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Mine for Me...the excerpt you played of the melody sounds like it was taken from the verses to the song "It Never Rains in California" by Albert Hammond, [1972]. on "Giddy" excerpt Daltry singing "My baby left me for another guy" sounds like a snippet from "Mercy Mercy Mercy" verses, a jazz song written by Joe Zawinul (lyrics by Gail Fisher) coververd by Cannon Ball Adderly, and made popualr as a "rock" song by the Buckinghams; on 1967. Like the line in that song that goes "My baby, when she walks by" same notes.

[@DannyPowell-thorne]

Very interesting

[@rager1969]

I didn't know Lennon/McCartney wrote I Wanna Be Your Man. The Beatles should've recorded that song with Ringo on vocals and put it on their second album, maybe even put clips of the song in a Beatles movie. They could be in a club either hanging out with other people or dancing. I don't know, maybe that's just crazy talk. If only I knew they had written that song.

[@tomklopp4691]

It is on With the Beatles from 1963😁✌

[@jamesalexander5623]

What about 'Bad to Me"? By Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas.

[@mauroteti]

Absolute Genius

[@thethirdrail8397]

I Went looking for Paul's version of Panin'a probably Seven years ago and, I instead found Calos and Mende's Version Instead. my big question is how did the song become Pernin'a? is it just a language thing ?

[@Merseyrock]

It's astounding just how much of rock music that is taken for granted, was actually single-handedly influenced by McCartney's efforts as one of its chief architects; even if The Beatles were to be partially disregarded for said influence, there are no shortage of projects were McCartney himself had something to do with.

[@martinkristensen8398]

InThey have forgotten cilla black she recorded 2 songs by paul "love of the loved" & "step inside love" & peter & gordons "nobody i know" & "i don't want to see you again"

[@smokinhalf]

Sir Paul McCartneys "throw away" songs are gold compared to most artists

[@billsantospianomore678]

"Like Dreamers Do" was recorded by The Applejacks.

[@malhunter7]

I was waiting for the song by Phoebe Snow ..''Every Night'', which I believe was written by Paul McCartney and he had his own version of it.......

[@hudahekizzy8402]

This would be a solid greatest hits collection for another band.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

I read that Badfinger didn't like the song and Paul had to shove it down their throats. A great song IMO.

[@raymondruiz5839]

It’s For You, was also recorded by 3 DOG NIGHT

[@BadderSanta]

Well done, Billy

[@kaitlyng8968]

He is a pure genius

[@theo9952]

I must admit that 11 of those, I did not know at all, first time i hear of them.

[@ARIXANDRE]

I was hoping to find a version of Macca's Soldier of Love, made famous by Pearl Jam.

[@constancelacroce1123]

Of the 20, I knew about 17. Of the 17, I have copies of 15 of them.

[@mrcell0phanefm]

Come and Get It has to be number one, but Veronica needs to be higher up this list

[@plateforme3037]

'It's for you' is a masterpiece. The song could have been written by Bacharach/David.

[@marioleonibalpedroso3073]

Difícil. Tánto Paul como John são gênios

[@jeffgolladay5813]

Obviously Paul is a genius

[@NewhamMatt]

There are some problems with this video. The section on "I'll Keep You Satisfied" appears to be all about "I Call Your Name". The section on "6 O'Clock" is missing the header. I know you push out a lot of content, watchmojo, but at least get someone to run their eye over it before you upload.

[@janetmueller3730]

Woman, A World Without Love, & Come & Get It are the only songs I have heard & listening to the other selections I know why.

[@Polyphemus47]

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" ~Thumper

[@kingshearer2]

I just wish Paul recorded his own version of the songs since some of the versions on here are a bit poor.

[@sejrec56]

Wings of a nightingale were done well by Everly bros who John and Paul were very influenced by.

[@higgme1ster]

I never heard "mine for me" so you're off to a bad start. And the "Bad Finger" song you played from "The Magic Christian", I've know from the start was written and produced by Paul McCartney after I watched the film when it first came out at the theater. "'U'm Ringo." They played that song “Come And Get It” during the scene where they pumped thousands of gallons of offal and feces from the Chicago Stock yards and meat packing plants in a giant above ground pool and then dropped a million dollars in the middle of the putrid pit and showed people diving into it to get as many bills as they could get. "OK, I got to the end of your video and the only other song I remembered and liked was the Peter and Gordon song "A World Without Love." Still I clicked like and upped your algorithm with a comment. Mate, I'll never forget my sister visiting with her friend Shirley while her brother Perry, my brother Bobby and I were outside on the porch laughing at them and mimicking them while they listened to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There" over and over when the 45 record first came out..

[@stevefricker7005]

10 I quite like as Elvis Costello gives it some welly.

[@lane99]

No. 20 songs I didn't know, period.

[@christianenriquez1603]

Why did “Girlfriend” by Michael Jackson not get included in this list?? 👀😭

[@misterchris3491]

Maybe because McCartney recorded it first with Wings

[@dabreu]

Thank you for this video. I knew most of them were by Paul but some were indeed unknown to be. However, there is a mistake in the information, as Linda never composed any song with Paul. I know she got the credit for business reason, and Paul was sued for this reason, as she was not a composer. So, it is not correct to insist she was his partner because...she was not.

[@carolnahigian9518]

💛Paul we Love you 4- Ever

[@ofrabjousday1]

The Beatles never recorded "I'll Keep You Satisfied."

[@markzappasodi]

Thank you. I was going to say that but I checked if someone had commented about it before me. Good catch!

[@prozier4378]

Paul has a certain musical style that one can hear the musical arranging

[@steveroberts9453]

Girlfriend .....from Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall" 1979

[@LuvPureCom]

Now I don't feel so silly that I grew up thinking "If You Want It" was Paul McCartney.

[@FrizleFry00]

This should have been called... "Top 20 Songs You Didn't Know and Were Written by Paul McCartney"

[@DerrellStumpfel]

WOW....

[@stevefricker7005]

16 did not have me tapping my feet whatsoever.

[@davidkelley1555]

This shows how musically wise McCartney was, he gave away the clinkers.

[@user-dc6mg2rk8p]

Only 2 I’ve ever heard of

[@archangelmusic13]

when this great man dies, you will have all these nontalented people in music singing songs of his at a tribute concert, and most of them dont even listen to his music, they are just doing it to be in the spotlight because they know many will be watching a tribute concert for him. and many of them wont even be playing music because many people in music today can't even play music and lack the talent to be musicians.

[@Hixley]

Tanks I fought there would be surprises for me, but there was!