Driving Rain

Last updated

Driving Rain
DrivingRain.jpg
Studio album by
Released12 November 2001
Recorded16 February – June 2001
Studio Henson, Hollywood, California
Genre Rock
Length67:21
Label Parlophone
Producer David Kahne
Paul McCartney chronology
Wingspan: Hits and History
(2001)
Driving Rain
(2001)
Back in the U.S.
(2002)
Singles from Driving Rain
  1. "From a Lover to a Friend"
    Released: 29 October 2001
  2. "Freedom"
    Released: 5 November 2001
  3. "Your Loving Flame"
    Released: 2002 (promo only)
  4. "Lonely Road"
    Released: 2002 (promo only)

Driving Rain is the twelfth studio album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 12 November 2001 as a double LP, a single cassette, and single CD.

Contents

Background

Following the example of Run Devil Run 's brisk production schedule, Driving Rain – except for two songs – was cut with David Kahne producing in two weeks, starting in February 2001. McCartney used musicians who were scheduled to back him on tour.

Album cover

The cover of the album features a photograph taken with a Casio wristwatch containing a built-in camera. [1]

Music and lyrics

"Back in the Sunshine Again" was co-written by McCartney and his son James. [2] On 11 September 2001, McCartney was sitting on a plane in New York City when the terrorist attacks occurred, and was able to witness the events from his seat. Incensed at the tragedy and determined to respond, he composed "Freedom" and helped organise The Concert for New York City, a large all-star show at Madison Square Garden on 20 October.

The songs "About You" and "Heather" were written for Heather Mills, as thanks for helping McCartney grieve the death of his first wife, Linda. [3]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [4]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The A.V. Club (mixed) [6]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Dotmusic 3.5/5 [8]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
entertainment.ie Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Entertainment Weekly B [11]
NME 6/10 [12]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Spin 7/10 [15]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]

In November 2001, Driving Rain was released to generally strong reviews but stunned many[ citation needed ] with its very low sales. The album sold 66,000 copies in its first week in the US. [17] Driving Rain peaked at number 46 in the UK, [18] and became McCartney's lowest-selling album in his homeland. The US reaction was a little stronger, with the album peaking at number 26 and being certified Gold by the RIAA.

McCartney halted the pressing of Driving Rain so that "Freedom" could appear as a hidden track (since the artwork had already been printed). The just-released "From a Lover to a Friend" (which only reached number 45 in the UK) was repackaged with "Freedom", although the single failed to re-chart.

Reviewing the album for Uncut magazine, Ian MacDonald commented on McCartney's spontaneous approach to its recording, saying that "In parts (for example, the lengthy closer 'Rinse The Raindrops'), the results are almost ferocious, coming as close to a McCartney-esque Tin Machine as one could reasonably imagine." MacDonald considered the more "polished and produced" tracks to be "the most successful", however, and concluded: "Possibly a grower, this album is certainly better than anything Macca's done for some while, if not the late masterpiece some of us have been hoping for." [16] Fox News commentator Roger Friedman remarked that the chorus of the song "Tiny Bubble" is "remarkably" similar to "Piggies", written by George Harrison and released on the Beatles' 1968 self-titled double album (also known as the "White Album"). [19]

McCartney opened his tour in support of the album in April 2002. Titled the Driving USA tour, it was a commercial success, with extensions being added to the itinerary around the world.

Track listing

All songs by Paul McCartney, except "Spinning on an Axis" and "Back in the Sunshine Again" co-written by James McCartney.

  1. "Lonely Road" – 3:16
  2. "From a Lover to a Friend" – 3:48
  3. "She's Given Up Talking" – 4:57
  4. "Driving Rain" – 3:26
  5. "I Do" – 2:56
  6. "Tiny Bubble" – 4:21
  7. "Magic" – 3:59
  8. "Your Way" – 2:55
  9. "Spinning on an Axis" – 5:16
  10. "About You" – 2:54
  11. "Heather" – 3:26
  12. "Back in the Sunshine Again" – 4:21
  13. "Your Loving Flame" – 3:43
  14. "Riding into Jaipur" – 4:08
  15. "Rinse the Raindrops" – 10:08
  16. "Freedom" (studio mix) – 3:34
    • Due to the last minute addition of "Freedom", it was not listed in the track list and thus appears as a hidden track. "Freedom" was recorded live during The Concert for New York City with later studio overdubs. There are some copies of the CD that were issued with an outerbox and a different cover and the track listings featured "Freedom" as an official track.

iTunes exclusive track

  1. "From a Lover to a Friend" (David Kahne remix 2) – 5:26
    • In 2007, upon adding McCartney's catalogue of music, the iTunes Store added one of David Kahne's two remixes of the song "From a Lover to a Friend" as an exclusive bonus track. This remix is the version released on CD-singles for this song and "Freedom".

Personnel

Personnel per booklet. [20]

Charts and certifications

Related Research Articles

<i>Ram</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Paul and Linda McCartney

Ram is the only studio album credited to the husband-and-wife music duo Paul and Linda McCartney, and the former’s second album post-Beatles. Released on 17 May 1971 by Apple Records, it was recorded in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Three singles were issued from the album: "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey", "The Back Seat of My Car" and "Eat at Home". The recording sessions also yielded the non-album single "Another Day".

<i>Back in the World Live</i> 2003 live album by Paul McCartney

Back in the World is a live album by Paul McCartney composed of highlights from his spring 2002 "Driving USA" tour in the United States in support of McCartney's 2001 release Driving Rain. It was released internationally in 2003, save for North America – where Back in the U.S. saw issue four months earlier in 2002 – to commemorate his first set of concerts in almost ten years.

<i>Wings over America</i> 1976 live album by Wings

Wings over America is a triple live album by the British–American rock band Wings, released in December 1976. The album was recorded during the American leg of the band's 1975–76 Wings Over the World tour. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

<i>Paul Is Live</i> 1993 live album by Paul McCartney

Paul Is Live is a live album by Paul McCartney, released in 1993 during his New World Tour in support of his studio album Off the Ground, released that same year. Paul Is Live contains live recordings of McCartney and his touring band—which at the time included his then-wife Linda and guitarist Robbie McIntosh—performing songs by McCartney's former bands The Beatles and Wings, as well as songs from his solo career. The tracks included on the album were recorded at various concerts during his New World Tour, in several American cities and in Australia.

<i>Back in the U.S.</i> 2002 live album by Paul McCartney

Back in the U.S. is a double live album by Paul McCartney from his spring 2002 Driving USA Tour in the US in support of his 2001 release Driving Rain. It was released with an accompanying DVD to commemorate his first set of concerts in almost ten years.

<i>McCartney II</i> 1980 studio album by Paul McCartney

McCartney II is the second solo studio album by the English musician Paul McCartney, released on 16 May 1980. It was recorded by McCartney at his home studio in the summer of 1979, shortly before the dissolution of his band Wings in 1981. Like his debut solo studio album, McCartney (1970), he performed all the instruments himself. It yielded three singles: "Coming Up", "Waterfalls", and "Temporary Secretary".

<i>Pipes of Peace</i> 1983 studio album by Paul McCartney

Pipes of Peace is the fourth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Paul McCartney, released on 31 October 1983. As the follow-up to the popular Tug of War, the album came close to matching the commercial success of its predecessor in Britain but peaked only at number 15 on America's Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. While Pipes of Peace was the source of international hit singles such as "Say Say Say" and the title track, the critical response to the album was less favourable than that afforded to Tug of War.

<i>Give My Regards to Broad Street</i> 1984 soundtrack album / studio album by Paul McCartney

Give My Regards to Broad Street is the fifth solo studio album by Paul McCartney and the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The album reached number 1 on the UK chart. The lead single, "No More Lonely Nights", was BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominated. It was also to be his final album to be released under Columbia Records, which had been his US label for over five years.

<i>Press to Play</i> 1986 studio album by Paul McCartney

Press to Play is the sixth solo studio album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 25 August 1986. It was McCartney's first album of entirely new music since Pipes of Peace in 1983, and his first solo album to be issued internationally by EMI following a six-year alliance with Columbia Records in the United States and Canada. Keen to re-establish himself after his poorly received 1984 musical film Give My Regards to Broad Street, McCartney enlisted producer Hugh Padgham to give the album a contemporary sound.

<i>Flowers in the Dirt</i> 1989 studio album by Paul McCartney

Flowers in the Dirt is the eighth solo studio album by Paul McCartney. The album was released on 5 June 1989 on Parlophone, as he was embarking on his first world tour since the Wings Over the World tour in 1975–76. It earned McCartney some of his best reviews for an album of original songs since Tug of War (1982). The album made number one in the United Kingdom and Norway and produced several hit singles. The album artwork was a collaboration between artist Brian Clarke, who painted the canvas and arranged the flowers, and Linda McCartney, who produced the cover photography.

<i>Off the Ground</i> 1993 studio album by Paul McCartney

Off the Ground is the ninth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, released on 1 February 1993. As his first studio album of the 1990s, it is also the follow-up to the well received Flowers in the Dirt (1989).

<i>Rushes</i> (album) 1998 studio album by the Fireman

Rushes is the second album by the Fireman, released in 1998.

<i>Tug of War</i> (Paul McCartney album) 1982 studio album by Paul McCartney

Tug of War is the third solo studio album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 26 April 1982. It is his 11th album overall following the break up of the Beatles in 1970, his first album released after the dissolution of his band Wings the previous year, and his first album following the murder of his former songwriting partner John Lennon. The cover features an abstract oil painting by the artist Brian Clarke, a frequent McCartney collaborator, incorporating an overpainted transparency of a portrait of Paul taken by Linda McCartney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James McCartney</span> English-American musician and songwriter (born 1977)

James Louis McCartney is an English-American musician and songwriter. He is the son of singer, songwriter, and former Beatle, Paul McCartney. He has contributed to solo albums by his parents, including Flaming Pie (1997) and Driving Rain (2001) by Paul McCartney, and Wide Prairie (1998) by Linda McCartney. He has released two EPs and two albums. His most recent, The Blackberry Train, was released on 6 May 2016.

<i>Memory Almost Full</i> 2007 studio album by Paul McCartney

Memory Almost Full is the fourteenth solo studio album by English musician Paul McCartney. It was released in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2007 and in the United States a day later. The album was the first release on Starbucks' Hear Music label. It was produced by David Kahne and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Henson Recording Studios, AIR Studios, Hog Hill Mill Studios and RAK Studios between October 2003, and from 2006 to February 2007. In between the 2003 and 2006 sessions, McCartney was working on another studio album, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005), with producer Nigel Godrich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Boy</span> 1997 single by Paul McCartney

"Young Boy" is a song by English musician Paul McCartney, included as the fifth track on his 10th solo studio album, Flaming Pie (1997). McCartney reportedly started working on the song in August 1994. The initial tracks were recorded in February 1995 at Steve Miller's studio in Sun Valley, Idaho, and were completed in May at McCartney's home studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom (Paul McCartney song)</span> Song by Paul McCartney

"Freedom" is a song written and recorded by Paul McCartney in response to the September 11 attacks in 2001. McCartney was in New York City at the time of the attacks and witnessed the event while sitting in a plane parked on the tarmac at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From a Lover to a Friend</span> 2001 single by Paul McCartney

"From a Lover to a Friend" is a song by Paul McCartney, featured on his 2001 album Driving Rain. It was released as a single and spent two weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #45. It also reached #6 on the Canadian Singles Chart. In the U.S. it became the b-side to his single "Freedom" and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<i>Electric Arguments</i> 2008 studio album by the Fireman

Electric Arguments is the third album by the Fireman. The album was first announced 29 September 2008, on Paul McCartney's website, and was released on 24 November 2008 on the duo's website. It is the first Fireman release to be publicly acknowledged by McCartney, and the album cover features the names of both contributors in contrast to the anonymity of earlier works.

<i>Kisses on the Bottom</i> 2012 studio album by Paul McCartney

Kisses on the Bottom is the fifteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, consisting primarily of covers of traditional pop music and jazz. Released in February 2012 on Starbucks' Hear Music label, it was McCartney's first studio album since Memory Almost Full in 2007. The album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and includes just two original compositions by McCartney: "My Valentine" and "Only Our Hearts". The former features jazz drummer Karriem Riggins. Kisses on the Bottom peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 5 on the US Billboard 200, while also topping Billboard magazine's Jazz Albums chart.

References

  1. "Paul McCartney 'Driving Rain' news". Archived from the original on 15 January 2012.
  2. Clayson, Alan (2003). Paul McCartney. London: Sanctuary. p. 252. ISBN   9781860744822.
  3. Vincent Perez Benitez, The Words and Music of Paul McCartney: The Solo Years 2010, p. 158: "Your Way hearkens back to the sound of McCartney's first two albums of the 1970s … He composed About You for Heather Mills, thanking her for helping him get over his grief regarding the death of his first wife, Linda Eastman."
  4. "Critic reviews for Driving Rain". Metacritic . Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  5. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Paul McCartney Driving Rain". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  6. Phipps, Keith (February 2002). "Paul McCartney Driving Rain". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on 6 March 2002. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  7. Du Noyer, Paul (December 2001/January 2002). "Paul McCartney Driving Rain". Blender . p. 119.
  8. Heath, Chris (14 November 2001). "Paul McCartney – 'Driving Rain' (Parlophone)". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 20 April 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  9. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th edn). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 1257. ISBN   0-19-531373-9.
  10. [ dead link ]
  11. Willman, Chris (12 November 2001). "Mini Capsule Review: Driving Rain (2001)". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 31 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  12. Segal, Victoria (20 November 2001). "Paul McCartney: Driving Rain". NME . Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  13. "Paul McCartney – Driving Rain CD Album". CD Universe/Muze . Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  14. Kot, Greg (30 October 2001). "Album Reviews: Paul McCartney Driving Rain". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 20 April 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
  15. Moon, Tom (January 2002). "Paul McCartney Driving Rain". Spin . p. 108. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  16. 1 2 MacDonald, Ian (January 2002). "Paul McCartney: Driving Rain (Parlophone)". Uncut . Available at Rock's Backpages (subscription required).
  17. McGee, Garry (2003). Band on the Run: A History of Paul McCartney and Wings. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 157. ISBN   9780878333042.
  18. "Driving Rain". JPGR. 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  19. "McCartney Sounds Like Harrison in New Tune". Fox News . 25 March 2015.
  20. Driving Rain (Booklet). Paul McCartney. MPL Communications / Hear Music. 2011 [2001]. 088807321779.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. "Paul McCartney – Driving Rain – austriancharts.at". Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  22. 1 2 "CANOE -- JAM! - Paul McCartney set to tour this spring". canoe.ca. JAM! Showbiz. 30 January 2002. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. "danishcharts.dk Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  24. "dutchcharts.nl Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  25. "lescharts.com Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". lescharts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  26. "Album Search: Paul McCartney – Driving Rain" (in German). Media Control. Archived from the original (ASP) on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  27. "italiancharts.com Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". italiancharts.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  28. "Highest position and charting weeks of Driving Rain by Paul McCartney ポール・マッカートニー-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" (in Japanese). oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  29. "norwegiancharts.com Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  30. "swedishcharts.com Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  31. "Paul McCartney – Driving Rain – hitparade.ch". Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  32. "Paul McCartney > Artists > Official Charts". UK Albums Chart . Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  33. Allmusic – Driving Rain > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums
  34. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN   4-87131-077-9.
  35. "British album certifications – Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". British Phonographic Industry.
  36. "American album certifications – Paul McCartney – Driving Rain". Recording Industry Association of America.
  37. 1 2 "Paul McCartney's new album "Memory Almost Full" will be released June 5 in North America". Billboard . Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2007.