McCartney Pondered Dance-Pop for Latest Album [Archive]

SF4-EVER

Nov 25, 2001, 04:24 PM

Boy, aren't we glad he didn't do it?--Sandra

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Paul McCartney thought of making his latest album into a modern dance music album to compete with American popstars Britney Spears and Madonna, the ex-Beatle has told the Dagens Nyheter daily.

McCartney said it could have been a really good pop album but that friends would have complained, and sticking to his own style was more interesting for him and his audience.

``Elvis Costello would be on the phone immediately telling me off. And sure, this is a better way for me to work,'' he said in an interview.

Wanting to experiment and not relying on the Beatles' success, has been important throughout his career, McCartney said, but admitted that not all experiments were hits.

``Sure, when I look back, I think it had been a good idea not to publish some of my records. But you do what you do. I'm not a person who regrets things,'' he said.

When the Beatles broke up in 1969, the four members knew they would have to live with the legend for the rest of their lives.

``This Beatles monster has been a very nice monster. It's my friend. Even if one works in the shadow of it. I usually ignore him, maybe wave to him or say hello, then I go on with my business,'' McCartney said.

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Author of "Move Over Ms. L." and the sequel "To Thine Own Self Be True,"
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HMVNipper

Nov 25, 2001, 05:06 PM

I agree...ewwwwwwwwww...could you just IMAGINE? BLEAH!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/barf4.gif

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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. November 2001 Issue up now! About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rooftopsessions.com (http://www.rooftopsessions.com)

"O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless! O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!" -- Walt Whitman

beatlebangs1964

Nov 25, 2001, 05:43 PM

Pass me the http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/barf1.gif wastebasket, please...http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/barf2.gif

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Then we will remember things we said today. Yeah.
-- Beatles, 1964

BB1964

beatlemaniac

Nov 25, 2001, 06:09 PM

Thank god he didn't go for it, though Macca could probably do it better than Britney or Madonna.

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And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

You know it's gonna be...alright

HMVNipper

Nov 25, 2001, 06:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By beatlemaniac:
Thank god he didn't go for it, though Macca could probably do it better than Britney or Madonna.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't know about that, remember his attempt at disco with "Goodnight Tonight?" Please, save me from Paul trying to be trendy!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/barf3.gif

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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. November 2001 Issue up now! About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rooftopsessions.com (http://www.rooftopsessions.com)

"O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless! O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!" -- Walt Whitman

ImaginePeace78

Nov 25, 2001, 06:47 PM

Thank God (!) he didn't do that. What was he thinking? Doesn't he know how crappy Britney is?
-Kristi

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You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." ~John Lennon

Kristi's Writing Desk (http://www.geocities.com/lennon4080forever/index.html)

Beatleboy

Nov 25, 2001, 07:44 PM

ARRRRGGGHHHH!! Anything but that Britney dance pop, greasy tennybopper stuff!!! Damn glad he came to his senses, and didn't do it, though. That would have been a tragedy. I would have to http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif, then http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/barf1.gif just on principle.

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"Turn off your mind. Relax and float downstream."
-The Beatles, 1966

McCharlenstar

Nov 25, 2001, 08:42 PM

Paul is better off being"Paul and his Music"

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http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/dance.gif

bearkat77

Nov 25, 2001, 09:13 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By HMVNipper:
remember his attempt at disco with "Goodnight Tonight?"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not saying that "Goodnight Tonight" was a big hit, but I did like how he composed it. As for the way dance music is today, I'm glad Paul decided against going that route.

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Amalthea

Nov 26, 2001, 12:16 AM

That man is really becoming mad...http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/beammeup.gif
Glad that sometimes some wiseness sparkles in his mind http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif

Paul, don't make us so scared again.. pleeeze http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

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"Because there wasn't any reason left to keep it all inside"
- Paul McCartney 1982

FPSHOT

Nov 26, 2001, 02:28 AM

I have read that yesterday on BBC Ceefax as well.

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream1.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream1.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream1.gif

But, the BBC Ceefax added a remark Paul made which I don't have here now but is something like that he said;

But if Elvis Costello finds out he will probably call me and tell me not to do it, after which I will stop.

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'a friend of mine in so much misery' - George 2001

[This Message Has Been Edited By FPSHOT On November 26, 2001 02:30 AM]

FPSHOT

Nov 26, 2001, 02:31 AM

Anyone got the number?

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'a friend of mine in so much misery' - George 2001

mindgames

Nov 26, 2001, 04:26 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By bearkat77:
I'm not saying that "Goodnight Tonight" was a big hit, but I did like how he composed it.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

"Goodnight Tonight"-- possibly the best disco song of all time.

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This week, Paul McCartney's new album, Driving Rain, is at number twenty-six on the USA charts.

FPSHOT

Nov 26, 2001, 04:33 AM

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh1.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh3.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh1.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif

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There'll come a time when all of us must
leave here
Then nothing 'Sister Mary' can do
Will keep me here with you
As nothing in this life that I've been trying
Can equal of surpass the Art of Dying - George 1969

[This Message Has Been Edited By FPSHOT On November 26, 2001 04:34 AM]

Amalthea

Nov 26, 2001, 06:39 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By mindgames:
"Goodnight Tonight"-- possibly the best disco song of all time.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, now that you make me notice!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif

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"Because there wasn't any reason left to keep it all inside"
- Paul McCartney 1982

beatlebangs1964

Nov 26, 2001, 07:38 AM

I like it best when Paul is being true to himself. Britney sounds even worse than jackhammers and a fleet of dump trucks. She couldn't even sing in a green Chevrolet.
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/scream3.gif I'd rather hear a construction crew than Britney. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/thumbsdown.gif

Paul, just be yourself. We like your natural style. Forget about trendy. Just be you.

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Then we will remember things we said today. Yeah.
-- Beatles, 1964

BB1964

[This Message Has Been Edited By beatlebangs1964 On November 26, 2001 07:39 AM]

FPSHOT

Nov 26, 2001, 09:32 AM

Yes, ballad # 2045, whatever, as long as it is not the B girl. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/afraid1.gif

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There'll come a time when all of us must
leave here
Then nothing 'Sister Mary' can do
Will keep me here with you
As nothing in this life that I've been trying
Can equal of surpass the Art of Dying - George 1969

jtal909

Nov 26, 2001, 11:29 AM

How about Coming Up? Wasn't that disco/dance oriented.

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"Why don't you say it in your famous James Mason impersonation?"

FPSHOT

Nov 26, 2001, 02:31 PM

Now that's another story. Yes, it was a dancer, still see the TOTP audience dancing.

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There'll come a time when all of us must
leave here
Then nothing 'Sister Mary' can do
Will keep me here with you
As nothing in this life that I've been trying
Can equal of surpass the Art of Dying - George 1969

mindgames

Nov 27, 2001, 04:28 AM

If Paul had done this, it would undoubtedly be the best dance-pop album of all time, forcing the whole genre to raise its standards.

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This week, Paul McCartney's new album, Driving Rain, is at number twenty-six on the USA charts.

Amalthea

Nov 27, 2001, 07:35 AM

HMVNipper

Nov 27, 2001, 01:37 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By mindgames:
If Paul had done this, it would undoubtedly be the best dance-pop album of all time, forcing the whole genre to raise its standards.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry, nope, I don't agree -- I think it would have been embarrassing! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/blush2.gif He would have been skewered by the press, and skewered by his fans (and most of us would have hated it, no matter what we say now when it didn't happen) and would have set himself up for unending ridicule. Better that he stuck to his own style than trying to be someone he's not, IMHO.

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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. November 2001 Issue up now! About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rooftopsessions.com (http://www.rooftopsessions.com)

"O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless! O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!" -- Walt Whitman

beatlebangs1964

Nov 27, 2001, 02:12 PM

I agree with Susan. I think it would have been a bad idea for Paul to go through with such an embarrassing venture. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/blush2.gif

Paul, just be yourself. IMHO that is best all around.

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Then we will remember things we said today. Yeah.
-- Beatles, 1964

BB1964

[This Message Has Been Edited By beatlebangs1964 On November 27, 2001 02:13 PM]

Rellevart

Nov 27, 2001, 02:24 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By HMVNipper:
Better that he stuck to his own style than trying to be someone he's not, IMHO.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

While I agree that he shouldn't try to be someone he's not, (and damn, I'm glad he didn't do the dance/pop thing cuz I can't stand that kind of music), I find the phrase "his own style" kind of limiting. I don't think there's anything wrong with him wanting to expand his horizons or take some musical chances. Sure, sometimes those experiments aren't going to turn out so great, but I'd rather hear him continue to try new ideas than rewrite the same song over and over.

I'm not sure you can even say that somebody who's gone from "Here, There and Everywhere" to "Helter Skelter" to classical oratorios to experimental music to roots rock (I could go on, but I'll be merciful) even has "a" style! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

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If I had some more time to spend, then I guess I'd be with you, my friend....

beatlebangs1964

Nov 27, 2001, 02:30 PM

I can't stand pop either, Rellevart. I agree with you about it being a healthy and good thing for Paul to expand his horizons. Heck, I even LIKE 1980's "Coming Up!"

What I meant was that I hoped Paul would be true to whatever his natural style and approach to whatever he does is. Just a few years ago I was bowled over by that opera he wrote. A versatile, gifted and highly creative man, I have nothing but the deepest respect for Paul McCartney's abundance of talent.

As for Britney, http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/thumbsdown.gif I'd still rather hear those jackhammers, the meat grinder and the 5:00 train whistle any day.

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Then we will remember things we said today. Yeah.
-- Beatles, 1964

BB1964

alliesun

Nov 27, 2001, 10:04 PM

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif

i love reading what you think about all of this stuff. i too am thankful that there are innovative musicians (in particular - the beatles) who stood to take risks within the music industry - and in doing so - created some of the greatest music ever. however, due to personal taste - i have to admit a flooding sense of relief that paul did not make another ("another in the sense that there are so many of these albums out right now) dance-type album. thank heaven for elvis costello and his direct phone line to sir mccartney...
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/wink3.gif

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http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/blush4.gif

McCharlenstar

Nov 28, 2001, 12:54 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By Amalthea:
yay!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/clap2.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's very True!!!!!

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http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/dance.gif

mindgames

Nov 28, 2001, 04:26 AM

Where can I get connected to this phone line?

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This week, Paul McCartney's new album, Driving Rain, is at number twenty-six on the USA charts.

Amalthea

Nov 28, 2001, 09:40 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote:<HR>Originally Posted By mindgames:
Where can I get connected to this phone line?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/laugh2.gif

And I do agree with you, allie! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/thumbsup.gif

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"Because there wasn't any reason left to keep it all inside"
- Paul McCartney 1982