1980 highlights
Articles
Dec 08, 1980
"Rockshow" premiered in New York
Nov 26, 1980
September 7-14, 1980
Filming of the “Coming Up” promotional video
March 26 & March 27, 1980
Feb 27, 1980
Paul McCartney writes his “Japanese Jailbird” memories
February - April 1980
Paul McCartney released from Japan prison
Jan 25, 1980
Other Wings members leave Japan
Jan 21, 1980
Wings '80 Japan tour cancelled
Jan 17, 1980
Paul McCartney arrested and jailed in Japan
Jan 16, 1980
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.

Last updated on October 30, 2021
Albums released in 1980
By Paul McCartney • Official album
By The Beatles • Official album
By Paul McCartney • Official album
Singles released in 1980
By Paul McCartney • 7" Single
By Paul McCartney • 12" Single
By Paul McCartney • 7" Single
Temporary Secretary / Secret Friend
By Paul McCartney • 12" Single
By Paul McCartney • 7" Single
By Paul McCartney • 7" Single
Albums Paul McCartney contributed to, released in 1980
By Denny Laine • Official album
Seaside Woman / B-Side To Seaside
By Suzy and the Red Stripes • 12" Single
Films released in 1980
1980 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Keith McMillan

1980 • For Paul McCartney & Wings
1980 • For Linda McCartney • Directed by Oscar Grillo
1980 • For Paul McCartney • Directed by Keith McMillan
Sessions
Dec 14, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War
December 8th-9th, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Ebony And Ivory / Rainclouds
Recording the intro of "Tug Of War"
Dec 07, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War
Tug Of War sessions at AIR Studios, London
December 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War

Nov 30, 1980
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
Overdubs, editing and mixing for "We All Stand Together"
Nov 15, 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
We All Stand Together session #2
Nov 03, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together
We All Stand Together session #1
Oct 31, 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on We All Stand Together

Oct 30, 1980

Oct 18, 1980

October 2-25, 1980
August 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War - Archive Collection
"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

Jul 04, 1980
April 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Coming Up
"McCartney II" double-album editing
Late February 1980 • Songs recorded during this session appear on McCartney II

Feb 02, 1980

January 2nd - 10th, 1980
Songs written in 1980
Officially appears on Stop and Smell the Roses

Unreleased song

Unreleased song

Unreleased song

Unreleased song

Unreleased song
Officially appears on Say Say Say / Ode To A Koala Bear
Officially appears on Stop and Smell the Roses
Officially appears on Ebony And Ivory / Rainclouds

Unreleased song
Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace - Archive Collection
Stop, You Don't Know Where She Came From
Officially appears on Tug Of War - Archive Collection

Unreleased song
Officially appears on We All Stand Together
Officially appears on Tug Of War
Officially appears on Tug Of War
Officially appears on Tug Of War
Officially appears on Tug Of War
Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace
Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace
Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace
Officially appears on Give My Regards To Broad Street (CD version)
Interviews
Oct 01, 1980 • From Club Sandwich
July 1980 • From The Beatles Monthly Book
Jun 14, 1980 • From Melody Maker
Paul McCartney: Ten Days in the Life
Feb 20, 1980 • From RollingStone
My evil husband forced me to sing backing vocals on Mull of Kintyre!
Jan 12, 1980 • From New Musical Express
Contribute!
Have you spotted an error on the page? Do you want to suggest new content? Or do you simply want to leave a comment ? Please use the form below!
Bill Harry's Paul McCartney Encyclopedia lists a demo from 1980 called 'Baby Make Love To You'.Any info on this would be welcome.
Thanks @glenn, I didn't know about that - will see what I can find !