From his Beatles farewell to his Wings years and into a solo golden age, Paul McCartney's discography is one of popular music's great ongoing adventures. Which album captures him at his creative peak?
1Band on the RunWings' 1973 comeback masterpiece recorded in Lagos with a skeleton crew, widely considered McCartney's greatest post-Beatles achievement.
2RamThe 1971 home-studio album made with Linda McCartney, a joyful, eclectic record now celebrated as an ahead-of-its-time indie-pop gem.
3Tug of WarMcCartney's polished 1982 comeback featuring collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Carl Perkins, earning widespread critical acclaim.
4McCartneyHis 1970 debut solo album, recorded intimately at home with Paul playing all instruments, a raw and charming statement of independence.
5Flaming PiePaul's warmly received 1997 album, inspired partly by the Anthology project, praised as a return to form and emotional honesty.
6Chaos and Creation in the BackyardProduced by Nigel Godrich, this reflective 2005 album is lauded for its stripped-back intimacy and standout melodies.
7Venus and MarsWings' 1975 American stadium rock record, featuring lush arrangements and radio-friendly singles that dominated the charts.
8McCartney IIA quirky 1980 electronic solo experiment, ahead of its time and now influential among synth-pop and indie artists.
9Flowers in the DirtPaul's celebrated 1989 comeback co-written with Elvis Costello, marking a creative resurgence with songs full of craft and hooks.
10Egypt StationHis 2018 album that debuted at #1 in the US, blending McCartney's classic songwriting style with modern production.
11Memory Almost FullA reflective 2007 album touching on mortality and memory, praised for emotional depth and inventive arrangements.
12NewMcCartney's vibrant 2013 album produced by four different producers, combining fresh sounds with his trademark melodic instincts.
13Wings at the Speed of SoundWings' 1976 crowd-pleasing effort featuring 'Silly Love Songs', one of the best-selling singles of the decade.
14London TownThe 1978 Wings album recorded partially on a yacht, blending soft rock with new wave influences and yielding radio hits.
15McCartney IIIA surprise 2020 lockdown album recorded solo at home, continuing the DIY spirit of McCartney I & II with psychedelic textures.
16Driving RainPaul's 2001 comeback after a period of grief, recorded quickly and openly with fresh collaborators to celebrate new love.
17Wild LifeWings' raw and spontaneous 1971 debut, notable for being recorded in just three days and its loose, live-feel charm.
18Red Rose SpeedwayWings' 1973 album featuring the #1 hit 'My Love', capturing McCartney's gift for romantic pop songwriting.
19Pipes of PeaceMcCartney's 1983 follow-up to Tug of War, best known for 'Say Say Say' with Michael Jackson and the seasonal 'Pipes of Peace'.
20Run Devil RunA lively 1999 covers album of rock 'n' roll classics, recorded as therapy after Linda McCartney's death with raw, live energy.
21Off the GroundPaul's 1993 album, partly recorded with the same band from Flowers in the Dirt, featuring bold arrangements and optimistic themes.
22Press to PlayMcCartney's 1986 synth-heavy album, under-appreciated at the time but home to some ambitious production experiments.
23Back to the EggWings' 1979 swan song, an uneven but bold album blending rock riffs and orchestral pop in a punk-era context.
