Paul McCartney's 'Somedays' Is A Solo Gem
Check out this previously unheard version...
*Paul McCartney* is one of pop's fountainheads, one of the defining figures in the development of the artform.
A songwriter with no shortage of magic in the vaults, he recently decided to turn his sights to 1997 album 'Flaming Pie'.
Paul McCartney's tenth solo album, it was an international success, a record that ranks amongst the highest echelons of his storied discography.
Later this month a lavish re-issue hits the shelves, featuring rarities and unheard gems galore.
We've obtained this early, raw version of album cut 'Somedays' and it's a gorgeous listen, little more than guitar and that instantly recognisable voice.
A beautifully affecting piece of music, this is the original recording, before George Martin developing the finished song's distinctive arrangement.
You can download it on Paul McCartney's official website *HERE* and check it out below.
As an extra treat for fans, we've also obtained some exclusive quotes from Sir Paul himself, discussing the process that lay behind 'Flaming Pie' - find his words after the jump.
*How would you describe the songwriting process for the material on 'Flaming Pie'?*
Songs can come from anywhere. Sometimes, I would drive Linda to one of her cookery assignments, and on one particular day, I had driven her to a photo session at a farmhouse in Kent. I kept out of the way, went upstairs and made up a little fantasy for myself to write a song.
I knew that Linda would be about two hours doing the shoot, so I set myself a deadline to write a song in that time. And 'Somedays' was it. I wrote the whole song in that time.
Normally, you might get most of it down and think you’ll finish it up next week. But I thought I’ll finish it up so that when Linda had finished the shoot and would say “What did you do? Did you get bored?”, I could say, “Oh I wrote this song, wanna hear it?” It’s just a little game that I sometimes play with myself.
John and I used to play this game and I don’t think it ever took us more than three or so hours to write a song.
*You play a great deal of the parts on the record yourself. What was your thought process when planning the recording sessions?*
I don’t really think about it too much. The good thing is that I have always got the option. I mean, the absolute extreme scenario is just doing everything. And there are songs on 'Flaming Pie' where I do that.
Like on 'Somedays', I recorded that by myself, played everything, just like on McCartney. But when I was working on the final version, I thought that maybe it could use a little arrangement, so I rang up George Martin. Who better to do it?
- - -
Paul McCartney's Archive Collection release of 'Flaming Pie' is due July 31st via MPL/Capitol/UMe.
Photo Credit: *© Paul McCartney* / Photographer:* Linda McCartney*
Join us on the ad-free creative social network Vero, as we get under the skin of global cultural happenings. Follow Clash Magazine as we skip merrily between clubs, concerts, interviews and photo shoots. Get backstage sneak peeks, exclusive content and access to Clash Live events and a true view into our world as the fun and games unfold.
Buy Clash Magazine
