The Best Paul McCartney Albums, Ranked

Coley Reed
Updated May 10, 2024 36 items

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1.2K voters
9 reranks
Voting Rules

Only studio albums.

Paul McCartney, a musical genius whose work transcends decades, has an expansive discography that's often the subject of debates among music buffs. In our crowdranked list of McCartney's best albums, we invite fans to examine critically acclaimed records and lesser-known gems alike. Featuring his solo works, albums with the Wings, McCartney's classical music albums, and other collaboration records, the albums are evaluated based on their musical innovation, commercial success, critical acclaim, and of course, the timeless appeal of McCartney's music.

Among this distinguished list is the acclaimed album, Ram, a magnificent blend of rock music that McCartney collaborated with his beloved wife Linda. We also remember Flaming Pie, a masterpiece that brought together the creative minds of George Martin, Jeff Lynne, and McCartney. Tug of War, another pinnacle of McCartney's discography, features the poignant track "Ebony and Ivory." Then there's the ingenious Chaos and Creation in the Backyard where McCartney demonstrated his musical prowess by playing nearly all instruments himself. We also included his albums with Youth as the experimental duo The Fireman. Each album beautifully demonstrates the diversity in McCartney's music taste and his mastery of various musical genres.

Let's not forget the underrated McCartney II, a testament to McCartney's fearlessness when it comes to embracing new wave and electronica. There's also the Beatles' inspired Flowers in the Dirt, an album that saw McCartney collaborate with Elvis Costello, and the highly personal Run Devil Run, which saw McCartney delve into 1950s rock and roll. Each of these records embodies McCartney's remarkable adaptability and his uncanny ability to redefine the rock music landscape.

Now, it's your turn to become a part of this musical exploration. Whether you're a seasoned McCartney fan ranking his top albums or a new listener discovering his expansive discography, we welcome your input. Have your say, share your insights, and vote for which Paul McCartney albums you believe are the greatest. Our collective wisdom might just paint a unique portrait of the legendary musician that textbooks don't capture. Participate, debate, and most importantly, immerse yourself in the remarkable world of Paul McCartney's music.

Latest additions: Twin Freaks, McCartney III, Band on the Run
Over 1.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Paul McCartney Albums, Ranked
  • Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
    Photo: EMI Classics / Amazon
    31
    128 votes

    Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio

    In 1991, Paul McCartney dove deep into the realm of classical music and created an impressive live album with Carl Davis. The composition was a remarkable tribute to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 150th anniversary. Living up to expectations, it quickly drew media attention for its elegance and originality. Offering a remarkable saga that parallels McCartney's own life, the oratorio left a lasting legacy. Though critical reception was mixed with criticisms over its simplicity and length, the piece earned its presence in the classical music charts worldwide. The notable performances of renowned singers like Kiri Te Kanawa and Jerry Hadley were stand-out elements amidst the sophisticated collection of movements, leaving a signature McCartney mark on the world of classical music.

    Tracklist:

    1. "Andante (Orchestra)"
    2. "'Non Nobis Solum'"
    3. “'The Air Raid Siren Slices Through…”
    4. "'Oh Will It All End Here?"
    5. "'Mother and Father Holding Their Child'"
    6. "'We're Here in School Today to Get a Perfect Education'"
    7. "'Walk in Single File Out of the Classroom (Headmaster)"
    8. "'Settle Down'"
    9. "'Kept in Confusion"
    10. "'I'll Always Be Here (Mary Dee)"
    11. "'Boys, This Is Your Teacher (Headmaster, Miss Inkley)"
    12. "'Tres Conejos (Miss Inkley, Headmaster, Shanty)"
    13. "'Not for Ourselves (Headmaster, Miss Inkley, Shanty)"
    14. "'And So It Was That I Had Grown (Shanty)"
    15. "Dance"
    16. "'I Used to Come Here When This Place Was a Crypt (Shanty, Preacher)"
    17. "'Here Now (Shanty)"
    18. "'I'll Always Be Here (Mary Dee, Shanty)"
    19. "'Now's the Time to Tell Him (Mary Dee, Shanty)"
    20. "Andante Lamentoso"
    21. "'O Father, You Have Given… (Chief Mourner)"
    22. "'(Ah)'"
    23. "'Hey, Wait a Minute' (Shanty)"
    24. "'Father, Father, Father' (Shanty, Chief Mourner)"
    25. "Andante Amoroso"
    26. "'I Know I Should Be Glad Of This' (Shanty, Mary Dee)"
    27. "'Father, Hear Our Humble Voices' (Preacher)"
    28. "'Hosanna, Hosanna' (Mary Dee, Shanty)"
    29. "Allegro Energico"
    30. "'Working Women at the Top' (Mary Dee)"
    31. "Violin Solo"
    32. "'Did I Sign the Letter...' (Mary Dee)"
    33. "Tempo I"
    34. "'When You Ask a Working Man' (Shanty, Mr. Dingle)"
    35. "'Let's Find Ourselves a Little Hostelry' (Mr. Dingle)"
    36. "Allegro Molto"
    37. "'The World You're Coming Into' (Mary Dee)"
    38. "Tempo I"
    39. "'Where's My Dinner?' (Shanty, Mary Dee)"
    40. "'Let's Not Argue' (Shanty, Mary Dee)"
    41. "'I'm Not a Slave' (Mary Dee, Shanty)"
    42. "'Right! That's It!' (Mary Dee)"
    43. "'Stop. Wait.'"
    44. "'Do You Know Who You Are...' (Nurse)"
    45. "'Ghosts of the Past Left Behind' (Nurse, Shanty, Mary Dee)"
    46. "'Do We Live in a World...' (Mary Dee, Nurse, Shanty)"
    47. "'And So It Was That You Were Born' (Shanty)"
    48. "'God Is Good'"
    49. "'What People Want Is a Family Life' (Preacher)"
    50. "'Dad's in the Garden (Nurse, Mary Dee, Preacher, Shanty)"
    51. "'So on and on the Story Goes' (Mary Dee, Shanty)"

  • Standing Stone
    Photo: EMI Classics / Amazon
    32
    134 votes

    Standing Stone

    Paul McCartney unveiled his second full-length original classical composition in 1997, following his acclaimed Liverpool Oratorio from 1991. An intriguing venture into orchestral territories, the record redefined McCartney's creative depth. A unique tapestry, it interweaves English and Latin lyrics backed by the substantial power of an 80-piece symphony and 120-member choir. The premiere, held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, met acclaim. The worldwide success was evident when it reached Billboard number 194 for one unyielding week, defying the pop genre's stronghold. This unusual classic successfully transcended music boundaries, markedly impacting pop culture and reaffirming McCartney's artistic versatility.

    Tracklist:

    Movement I – After heavy light years
    1. "Fire/Rain" Allegro energico
    2. "Cell Growth" Semplice
    3. "'Human' Theme" Maestoso
    Movement II – He awoke startled
    4. "Meditation" Contemplativo
    5. "Crystal Ship" Con moto scherzando
    6. "Sea Voyage" Pulsating, with cool jazz feel
    7. "Lost at Sea" Sognando
    8. "Release" Allegro con spirito
    Movement III – Subtle colours merged soft contours
    9. "Safe Haven/Standing Stone" Pastorale con moto
    10. "Peaceful Moment" Andante tranquillo
    11. "Messenger" Energico
    12. "Lament" Lamentoso
    13. "Trance" Misterioso
    14. "Eclipse" Eroico
    Movement IV – Strings pluck, horns blow, drums beat
    15. "Glory Tales" Trionfale
    16. "Fugal Celebration" L'istesso tempo. Fresco
    17. "Rustic Dance" Rustico
    18. "Love Duet" Andante intimo
    19. "Celebration" Andante

  • Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest
    Photo: Parlophone, Capitol / Amazon
    33
    90 votes

    Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest

    Unveiled in 1993, the debut album from the teamwork of Paul McCartney and Youth defied conventional norms. Consisting of reimagined echoes of McCartney's earlier music, the project first landed on the UK soil in November awakening interest and rave reviews. The American reception in February 1994 saw a simmering that added to the collection’s allure. Despite McCartney's concealed involvement, the layers of ambient, trance and house in the album extraordinary nuances distinguished it in the pop culture diorama. However, its dancehall influence failed to garner Grammy or Billboard recognition, marking it a sublime relic of McCartney's foray into experimental music.

    Tracklist:

    1. "Transpiritual Stomp"
    2. "Trans Lunar Rising"
    3. "Transcrystaline"
    4. "Pure Trance"
    5. "Arizona Light"
    6. "Celtic Stomp"
    7. "Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest"
    8. "4 4 4"
    9. "Sunrise Mix"

  • Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart)
    Photo: EMI Classics / Amazon
    34
    139 votes

    Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart)

    Spanning over eight years in creation, the fourth classical album by Paul McCartney was unveiled on 25 September 2006. An exquisite amalgamation of English and Latin lyrics harmonized with an orchestral score and angelic chorales, it sprouted from the seeds of inspiration sown by McCartney's late wife, Linda. The celebrated opus, lauded globally, resonated profoundly within the hallowed walls of New York's Carnegie Hall during its coveted American première. It bagged the prestigious Best Album accolade at the Classical Brits 2007, testament to acclaim by Classic FM enthusiasts. Though uniquely classical, its profound cultural influence percolated seamlessly into pop culture, further cementing McCartney’s legendary status.

    Tracklist:

    1. "Spiritus"
    2. "Gratia"
    3. "Interlude (Lament)"
    4. "Musica"
    5. "Ecce Cor Meum"

  • Liverpool Sound Collage
    Photo: Hydra, Capitol / Amazon
    35
    108 votes

    Liverpool Sound Collage

    Heralding a surprising new avenue for Paul McCartney in 2000, this inventive sonic experiment incorporated elements of electronic and avant-garde music in equal measure. Bolstered by McCartney's robust involvement in crafting the piece, it was a collection of sounds that deftly merge musique concrète with ethereal Beatles chatter and carefully selected clips from McCartney's classical performances. Garnering recognition through a nomination for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2001 Grammys, the album simultaneously stirred and baffled audiences. This ambitious endeavor appeared as an intriguing ripple across pop culture, spotlighting McCartney’s capacity for inventive reinvention beyond the conventional realms of music.

    Tracklist:

    1. "Plastic Beetle" (Paul McCartney, The Beatles)
    2. "Peter Blake 2000" (Super Furry Animals, The Beatles)
    3. "Real Gone Dub Made in Manifest in the Vortex of the Eternal Now" (Youth)
    4. "Made Up" (Paul McCartney, The Beatles)
    5. "Free Now" (Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Super Furry Animals)

  • Ocean's Kingdom
    Photo: Decca, Hear Music / Amazon
    36
    124 votes

    Ocean's Kingdom

    The fifth classical album from Paul McCartney emerged in 2011, serving as the score for a renowned New York City Ballet commission. Saturated with elements of a fantastical love story, this unique composition enthralled audiences with its intricately woven tapestry of orchestral movements. Notwithstanding, the majestic score resonated across the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at an impressive 144. While it may not have notched up Grammy accolades, this album has undoubtedly marked its territory within the rich panorama of McCartney’s classical ventures.

    Tracklist:

    Movement 1
    1. “Ocean's Kingdom”
    Movement 2
    2. “Hall of Dance”
    Movement 3
    3. “Imprisonment”
    Movement 4
    4. “Moonrise”