PLAYLISTICLE: Paul McCartney – four EPs [2020]

We started reading The McCartney Legacy Volume 1 around Christmas 2024 – it may have been a gift by way of a gift card. The e-book is dense, overflowing with detail and minutiae. Even before we finished the book in May, we had downloaded The McCartney Legacy Volume 2. For our tastes in McCartney's solo and Wings music, Volume 2 has been a great read. We find ourselves reading more solely in anticipation of which song will spring next from McCartney's bottomless songwriting well. One of the coolest things about reading a book about music is listening to the music that is being documented and discussed. I'm at the part of the book where Paul is beginning to record the songs that will become Wings At The Speed Of Sound, including one of my favorite songs of his, "Silly Love Songs".

"Silly Love Songs" is the first track of Paul McCartney's Love EP, a six-song digital playlist released on December  4, 2020. It was the fourth in a series of four themed EPs released over four consecutive weeks in November and December 2020. As of today, Love is still available to listen to on Apple Music (check your preferred streaming options for availability) and consists of the following songs:

• "Silly Love Songs" from Wings At The Speed Of Sound [1976]
• "Waterfalls" from McCartney II [1980]
• "Love Is Strange" from Wild Life [1971]
• "My Love" from Red Rose Speedway [1973]
• "My Valentine" from Kisses On The Bottom [2011]
• "Maybe I'm Amazed" (live Glasgow 1979) from McCartney (2011 Archive Collection Special Edition) [1970]

The Family EP was released on November 27, 2020. Like the playlist above, it is currently available on Apple Music. Your streaming preference may vary. The six songs in the playlist are deep, deep cuts:

• "Mama's Little Girl" from Red Rose Speedway sessions [1972]
• "Deliver Your Children" from London Town [1978]
• "Put It There" from Flowers In The Dirt [1989]
• "Heaven On A Sunday" from Flaming Pie [1997]
• "Bip Bop" from Wild Life [1971]
• "Little Woman Love" from the B-side of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" [1972]

The Holidays EP was released on November 20, 2020. Like the two playlists above, I was able to listen to it today on Apple Music. The playlist's six songs are:

• "Wonderful Christmastime" from the single [1979]
• "Coming Up" (live Glasgow 1979) from the B-side to "Coming Up" [1980]
• "Pipes Of Peace" from Pipes Of Peace [1983]
• "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" from Kisses On The Bottom sessions [2012]
• "Hosanna" from New [2013]
• "Lady Madonna" (live) from Wings Over America [1976]

The Home EP is another collection of deep, deep cuts like the Family EP. Currently streaming at Apple Music and maybe other streaming services. Home was the first playlist in the series, released back on November 13, 2020. The EP's six tracks are:

• "Eat At Home" from Ram [1971]
• "Cook Of The House" from Wings At The Speed Of Sound [1976]
• "Mull Of Kintyre" from the B-side to "Girls' School" [1977]
• "Home Tonight" from the Egypt Station sessions [2019]
• "Every Night" from McCartney [1970]
• "Heart Of The Country" from Ram [1971]