Back To The Egg (1979)
Following the commercial letdown, not personal, of London Town, Paul McCartney shuffled the Wings lineup and took one last swing. He aimed to return to his rock roots while holding onto the pop songwriting perfection he’d shown such a gift for. Not content to copy and paste his old sound, Paul got creative in the studio again and set out to change things up. The evolution from the rawness of RAM and Wild Life, to the commercial pop-rock of Band on the Run and Venus and Mars, to the folk-rock of London Town, shows McCartney doesn’t have to stick to a formula. Back to the Egg brings some new flair to the dinner table.
Getting Closer is the perfect example of the band dipping their toes back into the true rock pool. It kicks off with a driving beat and an infectious guitar riff that immediately grabs your attention. The song is loaded with energy, sharp hooks, and fantastic melodies that prove McCartney’s knack for crafting catchy tunes. The quirky references and playful tone in the lyrics add to its charm, and McCartney’s passionate, dynamic vocals drive it forward with a sense of urgency and excitement. The production is polished but keeps a raw edge, giving the track a fresh, lively feel.
Back to the Egg does contain some filler and fluff, including transitional tracks that serve as preludes to the album’s main songs. We can debate all day whether these are necessary, but across a full listen, they fill the gaps and add to the album’s flow. Tracks like Reception, We’re Open Tonight, and The Broadcast carry us through the experience, acting as the binders that hold the record together.
I applaud Paul for bringing high rock ‘n’ roll energy to this album. Spin It On almost feels like a pop-punk attempt, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing for me. Again and Again and Again could stylistically pass for an Elvis Costello song, which is great, but it isn’t the home run this album needed. Old Siam, Sir has a deeply iconic rock guitar hook, and I’m surprised it isn’t more famous than it is. Commercially, it’s a fantastic rock song that ticks so many boxes. And forget Ebony and Ivory, because Arrow Through Me feels more like a Stevie Wonder collaboration than anything else. The R&B style, the funky bass, and the blasting horns make it a total groove. Rockestra Theme is thumping, electrifying, and a great display of the band’s rock ‘n’ roll prowess.
I would also like to direct all of my ex-girlfriends to To You.
Thank you. That is all.
After the Ball / Million Miles isn’t the most memorable of Paul’s ballads, but at the end of the day it’s a good song on its own. Winter Rose / Love Awake, meanwhile, is a hauntingly beautiful piece of composition, though Winter Rose sadly dies out too quickly and gives way to Love Awake. The latter is fine, but it’s nothing revolutionary, and I’m left feeling shorted after how strongly Winter Rose led the way.
So Glad to See You Here reinvigorates the back half of the record. The band cranks the amps right back up to 11 and blows the roof off the place. These guys can still rock.
Finally, Baby’s Request is a wonderful closer. It’s relaxing, subtle, and jazzy, perfect for brunch on a rainy morning, even if it’s a little out of place on this record. Still, it’s one of my favorites, so I won’t fuss about it too much.
Paul McCartney and Wings had to compete at the tail end of the 1970s against a wall of opposing styles, fighting for the charts alongside the likes of the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and the other late-‘70s disco and dance icons. It’s understandable why Back to the Egg and London Town didn’t get the credit and love they deserved. They were simply too creative and diverse, both compared to Paul’s earlier work and to what was hot on the charts at the time.
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Highlight Songs:
Getting Closer
Arrow Through Me
Old Siam, Sir
So Glad to See You Here
Baby’s Request
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I’ve suggested owning every record up to this point, so you might as well complete the collection! It has a great artistic album cover and, while there aren’t too many definitive hits, it’s still a good record to sit with as a whole.
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Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars
