What happened for Paul in 1980

1980 has been a difficult year for Paul McCartney, starting in January by his arrest in Japan for possession of marijuana, 10 days in jail, and the cancellation of the Wings Japan tour, and ending in December by the murder of John Lennon.

While the Japan accident didn’t mean the end of Wings (the band was officially dismantled in 1981), Paul McCartney put the band on hiatus and released his second solo album, McCartney II, during that year. In November 1980, Wings reconvened for some rehearsals; but McCartney decided to work on his new album (the future “Tug Of War” which first recording sessions started in December 1980) with George Martin as the producer and without the band.

From Ken Dodd, Stockhausen and Psycho: unlocking Paul McCartney’s musical genius | Paul McCartney | The Guardian – Here, there and everywhere … McCartney in 1980. Photograph: Linda McCartney

Last updated on October 30, 2021

Singles and EPs released in 1980


Coming Up

By Paul McCartney • 7" Single


Coming Up

By Paul McCartney • 12" Single


Coming Up

By Paul McCartney • 7" Single



Waterfalls

By Paul McCartney • 7" Single


Albums released in 1980


McCartney II

By Paul McCartney • Official album


Rarities (US - 1980)

By The Beatles • Official album



Albums Paul McCartney contributed to, released in 1980


Japanese Tears

By Denny Laine • Official album


Films released in 1980


Coming Up

1980 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Keith McMillan


Rockshow

1980 • For Paul McCartney & Wings


Seaside Woman

1980 • For Linda McCartney • Directed by Oscar Grillo


Waterfalls

1980 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Keith McMillan

Recording sessions in 1980


Japan Tour Rehearsals

January 2nd - 10th, 1980



"McCartney II" double-album editing

Late February 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on McCartney II


Mixing the 1979 Glasgow show

April 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Coming Up


Rehearsal session

Jul 04, 1980


"Can't Fight Lightning" / "Stop And Smell The Roses" sessions

July 11st-21st, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Stop and Smell the Roses


Home recordings

August 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War - Archive Collection


Pugin Hall rehearsals

October 2-25, 1980




We All Stand Together session #1

Oct 31, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together


We All Stand Together session #2

Nov 03, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together


Overdubs, editing and mixing for "We All Stand Together"

Nov 10, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together


Overdubs, editing and mixing for "We All Stand Together"

Nov 15, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together



Recording "Ode To A Koala Bear", "Keep Under Cover"

Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 8, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Tug Of War sessions at AIR Studios, London

December 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording the intro of "Tug Of War"

Dec 07, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Rainclouds"

December 8th-9th, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Ebony And Ivory / Rainclouds


Recording "Ballroom Dancing"

Dec 14, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War

Songs written in 1980


Attention

Officially appears on Stop and Smell the Roses


Average Person

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


Ballroom Dancing

Officially appears on Tug Of War



Ebony And Ivory

Officially appears on Tug Of War


Ecology of The World

Unreleased song


Give Us A Chord, Roy

Unreleased song


Good Morning Song

Unreleased song


Keep Under Cover

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


New Orleans Jam

Unreleased song






Rock 'n' Roll Rodeo

Unreleased song




Sweetest Little Show

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


Take It Away

Officially appears on Tug Of War



Wanderlust

Officially appears on Tug Of War


1980 interviews



Paul McCartney: Ten Days in the Life

Feb 20, 1980 • From RollingStone


A miraculous simplicity

Jun 14, 1980 • From Melody Maker


Interview with Paul

July 1980 • From The Beatles Monthly Book


The McCartney Interview

Oct 01, 1980 • From Club Sandwich

Contribute!

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glenn marshall 3 years ago

Bill Harry's Paul McCartney Encyclopedia lists a demo from 1980 called 'Baby Make Love To You'.Any info on this would be welcome.


The PaulMcCartney Project 3 years ago

Thanks @glenn, I didn't know about that - will see what I can find !


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