What happened for Paul in 1981

1981 marked the official end of Wings, even if the writing was on the wall since January 1980 and the events in Japan. As a consequence, it’s Paul McCartney as a solo artist who spent the year recording his new album, “Tug Of War” (to be released in 1982), with Beatles producer George Martin and a cast of high-profile musicians.

During this year, he collaborated with Stevie Wonder (with two duos to appear on “Tug Of War“) and Michael Jackson (starting recording the two duos to appear on 1983 opus “Pipes Of Peace“), but also with George Harrison & Ringo Starr on the song “All Those Years Ago“.

Another consequence of this new era is that 1981 has been the first year since 1962 that Paul McCartney didn’t release any new song.

Last updated on April 25, 2020

Albums Paul McCartney contributed to, released in 1981




Somewhere in England

By George Harrison • Official album


Stop and Smell the Roses

By Ringo Starr • Official album

Films released in 1981


Lucille

1981 • Directed by Keith McMillan


Rock For Kampuchea

1981 • For Various Artists • Directed by Keith McMillan

Recording sessions in 1981


Recording "Christian Bop"

Circa 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace - Archive Collection


Recording "Ballroom Dancing", "Wanderlust", "Sweetest Little Show"

Jan 02, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


"Cold Cuts" overdubs and mixing

January 12th - 23th, 1981


Recording "Tug Of War"

Jan 21, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


"Tug Of War" sessions at AIR Studios, Montserrat

February 2 till March 3, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Dress Me Up As A Robber", "The Pound Is Sinking", "Average Person"

Feb 04, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Somebody Who Cares"

Feb 09, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Hey Hey"

Feb 10, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Recording "The Pound Is Sinking"

Feb 10, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Keep Under Cover"

Feb 11, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Recording "Take It Away", "Average Person"

February 16-18, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Get It"

Feb 24, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "My Old Friend"

Feb 25, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Go Cat Go!


Recording "Ebony And Ivory"

Feb 28, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "What's That You're Doing", "Tug Of War"

Mar 01, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Overdubs for "What's That You're Doing?"

March 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Overdubs for "All Those Years Ago"

March / April 1981 ? • Songs recorded during this session appear on All Those Years Ago / Writings On The Wall


Tug Of War sessions at AIR Studios, London

March 11, 1981 - March 1982 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Newt Rack"

Mar 11, 1981


Overdubs for "The Pound Is Sinking"

Mar 12, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Overdubs for "Ballroom Dancing"

Mar 17, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Keep Under Cover"

Mar 23, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Overdubs for "Take It Away", "Dress Me Up As A Robber"

Mar 23, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Ebony And Ivory"

Mar 30, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording "Say Say Say", "The Man"

May 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Recording "Average Person"

July 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Mixing "Dress Me Up As A Robber"

Aug 14, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Mixing "Average Person"

Sep 01, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace


Mixing "Somebody Who Cares", "The Pound Is Sinking"

Sep 01, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Mixing "Get It", "Wanderlust", "Ballroom Dancing", "What's That You're Doing"

Oct 01, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Overdubs for "Ebony And Ivory"

October 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Mixing "Christian Bop"

Nov 11, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Pipes Of Peace - Archive Collection


Recording "Here Today"

Nov 30, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Mixing "Here Today"

Dec 09, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Mixing "Tug Of War"

Dec 13, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War


Recording and mixing "Be What You See"

Dec 29, 1981 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War

Songs written in 1981


Any Younger

Unreleased song


Be What You See

Officially appears on Tug Of War


Get It

Officially appears on Tug Of War


Here Today

Officially appears on Tug Of War


Hey Hey

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


Newt Rack

Unreleased song


Peruvian Bird Song

Unreleased song


Say Say Say

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


Simon's Wigwam

Unreleased song


The Man

Officially appears on Pipes Of Peace


Tug Of War

Officially appears on Tug Of War


What's That You're Doing?

Officially appears on Tug Of War

1981 interviews




Down Memory Laine

Nov 07, 1981 • From Sounds

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