Hot As Sun

Written by Paul McCartney Instrumental

Album This song officially appears on the McCartney LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1970
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1959 (Paul McCartney was 17 years old)

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions





Other songs from the "McCartney" instrumental medley


Glasses

Officially appears on McCartney


Related interviews


"McCartney" press release Q&A

Apr 09, 1970 • From Apple Records

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Song facts

Hot As Sun” is a fragment of a 3-parts instrumental track on Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, “McCartney“, released in April 1970 – the two other parts being “Glasses” and a very few seconds of “Suicide“.

Hot As Sun” dates from The Quarry Men era, circa 1958 or 1959. When it was first recorded with The Beatles during the “Get Back” sessions on January 24, 1969, it was mostly an instrumental track with Paul McCartney adding some vocal sounds and a spoken word passage: “Welcome to the South Sea Islands, where the sound of a wave landing on the sand brings joy to the air”.

In February 1970, “Hot As Sun” was recorded for the “McCartney” album, with elements of Hawaiian and Calypso styles, according to author Adrian Allan:

There are elements of the Hawaiian style in Hot As Sun; but only in a broad and generic fashion.

For example, the pedal steel guitar originated in Hawaii in the 1920s. A key feature of the pedal steel technique involves the use of harmonised sixths, which are in abundance in Hot As Sun. The steel string guitar on the track is recorded very brightly, and gives the impression of a steel guitar.

The only thing that is missing is any use of slide bottleneck technique in McCartney’s playing. Hot As Sun consists of parallel sixth movements and could indeed be played in a bottleneck or slide style, but unlike George Harrison, McCartney never developed a proficient slide guitar technique in his career.

Hot As Sun displays some elements of the Calypso style. Indeed, there is an ill-defined blur between the styles. For example, Harry Belafonte’s Jamaica Farewell begins with an acoustic guitar solo in sixths, features the primary chords of A, D and E major and has a syncopated bass line that is stylistically very similar to Hot As Sun.

It is impossible to escape the significance of Belafonte’s Calypso album, released in 1956. It became the first LP record album to sell over one million copies.

As a teenager in the late 1950s, McCartney would have been acutely aware of Belafonte and undoubtedly absorbed traits of the calypso style, as a part of his ever-widening musical palette.

From Hot As Sun – The Evolution of An Early McCartney Composition – Paul McCartney After The Beatles: A Musical Appreciation

Paul McCartney and Wings performed “Hot As Sun” in a pronounced reggae style during their last UK tour in 1979, as well as at the Concert For The People of Kampuchea, a charity concert organized on December 29, 1979.


We’re going to do a bit of Caribbean number with Paul on the guitar.

Denny Laine – Introducing “Hot As Sun” during the Concert for The People of Kampuchea, December 29, 1979

A song written in about 1958 or 9 or maybe earlier, when it was one of those songs that you play now and then. The middle was added in Morgan Studio, where the track was recorded recently.

1 acoustic guitar.
2 electric guitar.
3 drums.
4 rhythm guitar.
5 organ.
6 maracas.
7 bass.
8 bongos.

Paul McCartney, from the press release of “McCartney”, April 1970

In the early eighties, lyricist Tim Rice added words to “Hot As Sun“. Singer Noosha Fox released a version of “Hot As Sun” with lyrics in July 1981. Elaine Page also covered the song in her eponym album released later in 1981, the sleeve notes erroneously mentioning that Paul had written the song specifically for her.


From the press release of “McCartney”, April 1970

Last updated on April 13, 2022

Variations


A Medley with "Glasses" • From "McCartney"

A1992 Medley with "Glasses". 1992 remaster • From "McCartney (by DCC Compact Classics)"

A1993 Medley with "Glasses" - 1993 remaster • From "McCartney (1993)"

A2011 Medley with "Glasses" - 2011 remaster • From "McCartney - Archive Collection"

A2020 Medley with "Glasses" - 2020 half-speed mastering • From "McCartney (50th Anniversary)"

L1 Live version • Glasgow • Apollo Centre • United Kingdom • Dec 17, 1979 • From "McCartney - Archive Collection"

Officially appears on


McCartney

LP • Released in 1970

1:28 • Studio versionA • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide"

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Feb 12-20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney (by DCC Compact Classics)

CD • Released in 1992

1:28 • Studio versionA1992 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 1992 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Steve Hoffman :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12-20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

1:28 • Studio versionA1993 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 1993 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12-20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


McCartney - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2011

1:28 • Studio versionA2011 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 2011 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Simon Gibson :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12 to ~20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2011

2:28 • LiveL1 • Stereo

Performed by :
Paul McCartneyLinda McCartneyDenny LaineLaurence JuberSteve Holley
Paul McCartney :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Mixing engineer
Eddie Klein :
Recording engineer
Jon Jacobs :
Mixing engineer assistant
Mark Vigars :
Recording engineer
Jim Jones :
Recording assistant

Concert From the concert in Glasgow, United Kingdom on Dec 17, 1979

Session Mixing:
April 1980
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK


McCartney (Limited Red LP)

LP • Released in 2017

1:28 • Studio versionA2011 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 2011 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Simon Gibson :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12 to ~20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney (50th Anniversary)

Official album • Released in 2020

1:28 • Studio versionA2020 • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 2020 half-speed mastering

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Miles Showell :
Mastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12-20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney I II III Limited Edition Colour 3LP Box Set

LP • Released in 2022

1:28 • Studio versionA2011 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 2011 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Simon Gibson :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12 to ~20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


McCartney I II III Box Set

Official album • Released in 2022

1:28 • Studio versionA2011 • Stereo • Medley with "Glasses", "Suicide" - 2011 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Simon Gibson :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 12 to ~20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

Bootlegs


A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 24th, 1969 - 3 & 4

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

1:35 • Rehearsal • Jan.24 - D3-20 - Hot As Sun 24.63

Session Recording:
Jan 24, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London


Studio Rarities Vol. 1

Unofficial album • Released in 2014

1:28 • Studio versionA • Stereo • Complete version of "Hot As Sun / Glasses / Suicide" medley

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Maracas, Organ, Producer
Phil McDonald :
Mixing engineer
Robin Black :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Feb 12-20, 1970
Studio :
Morgan Studios, London

Session Mixing:
Feb 24, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Last Flight

Unofficial live • Released in 1998


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol. 1

Unofficial album

1:30 • Demo • 1/24/69

Session Recording:
Jan 24, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London



Films


Hot As Sun (Live at Concert for the People of Kampuchea)

2011 • For Wings • Directed by Keith McMillan

Live performances

“Hot As Sun” has been played in 18 concerts and 1 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where Hot As Sun has been played


Concert For The People of Kampuchea

Dec 29, 1979 • United Kingdom • London • Hammersmith Odeon






Going further


Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

Shop on Amazon


If we like to think, in all modesty, that the Paul McCartney Project is the best online ressource for everything Paul McCartney, The Beatles Bible is for sure the definitive online site focused on the Beatles. There are obviously some overlap in terms of content between the two sites, but also some major differences in terms of approach.

Read more on The Beatles Bible


http://www.popmatters.com/post/127517-paul-mccartney-hot-as-sun-glasses/

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Daniel 7 years ago

I am a lifelong New Yorker - My first thought when I heard this was "I used to hear this when I watched cartoons, but this seems slower..."


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