On this day April 11, 1980, Paul McCartney released the single Coming Up, a quirky and energetic track that showed off his experimental side and brought him back to the top of the charts. The song later climbed to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot from June 28 through July 18. It also hit number 1 in Canada.
Coming Up appeared on McCartney’s second solo album McCartney II and blended pop, funk, and new wave influences with layered vocals and a playful groove. While the studio version was popular in the UK, American fans gravitated toward the live version recorded with Wings in Glasgow, which became the version played on US radio. The single marked a strong comeback for McCartney as a solo artist in the new decade and proved that he was still evolving musically even after years of success with The Beatles and Wings.
Fun fact: The music video for Coming Up featured Paul McCartney playing all the instruments and impersonating every band member in a spoof of 70s pop groups.
Trivia question: What Paul McCartney hit released in April 1980 reached number 1 in both the US and Canada with a popular live version?
Coming Up appeared on McCartney’s second solo album McCartney II and blended pop, funk, and new wave influences with layered vocals and a playful groove. While the studio version was popular in the UK, American fans gravitated toward the live version recorded with Wings in Glasgow, which became the version played on US radio. The single marked a strong comeback for McCartney as a solo artist in the new decade and proved that he was still evolving musically even after years of success with The Beatles and Wings.
Fun fact: The music video for Coming Up featured Paul McCartney playing all the instruments and impersonating every band member in a spoof of 70s pop groups.
Trivia question: What Paul McCartney hit released in April 1980 reached number 1 in both the US and Canada with a popular live version?
