Paul McCartney Tug Of War

Paul McCartney entered the '80s regaining his focus. He’d dissolved his group Wings and began figuring out where his melodic pop fit within the spectrum of the emerging era. McCartney II showed signs of pop life, with its new wave synths and effortless hooks. Tug of War, with Beatles producer George Martin, refines McCartney’s craft ever so slightly. The hits tell the story. “Take It Away” and “Ebony and Ivory,” one of two duets with Stevie Wonder, are highly melodic and catchy tunes that capture McCartney’s mainstream appeal at its least forced, enjoying their sweet, professional productions without sinking into cloying sentimentality. “Somebody Who Cares” pulses with the cautious melancholy of Paul Simon. The heartfelt ballad “Here Today” pays tribute to his dear friend John Lennon. “Ballroom Dancing” skirts a playful early rock 'n’ roll sensibility. The other (and less famous) duet with Stevie Wonder, “What’s That You’re Doing,” packs a bit more funk than the average McCartney track without turning into parody.