Paul McCartney - Solo Ballads (1969-2026) | ALBUMS THAT SHOULD EXIST

 Paul McCartney - Solo Ballads (1969-2026) (A Mike Solof Guest Post)

Paul says: Here we are, with the last album in guest poster Mike Solof's eight album series of the best rockers and ballads from the solo careers of the four ex-Beatles. As I mentioned in the write up to the last album in this series, for Paul McCartney's solo rockers, McCartney has had a long and prolific career, so there's just more of his songs. That led to a solo rocker album just for him, and now this solo ballad album just for him.

As usual with this series, the songs generally come from the well-known studio albums. That's the case here. However, there's a surprise in that one song, "Best Love," is a Paul lead vocal on a song that appeared on an album by comedian Steve Martin (who also happens to be a surprisingly good banjo player, so it's a serious song). 

Also, four of the songs are special edits made by Mike, the ones with "[Mike's Mix 2026]" in their names. That's because some of these songs were a little rocking to truly qualify as ballads. So Mike edited them to make them sound more gentle and mellow. 

Although this series is over, Mike wanted to carry on making rocker and ballad best ofs for other musical acts. Hopefully you will see one result from that posted here soon. 

This album is 51 minutes long. 

01 I'm Carrying 
02 Once upon a Long Ago [Mike's Mix 2026] 
03 Waterfalls
04 With a Little Luck [Mike's Mix 2026]
05 Here Today 
06 Best Love (Steve Martin & Paul McCartney)
07 This One [Mike's Mix 2026] 
08 Maybe I'm Amazed [Mike's Mix 2026] 
09 My Love 
10 My Valentine 
11 Distractions
12 This Never Happened Before 
13 Wanderlust 

(all tracks Paul McCartney except where noted) 

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers - "Best Love" (featuring Paul McCartney)

Rounder Records