Which Beatles songs did Paul McCartney play piano on?
The Beatles wouldn’t have been such a world-beating act if they had any other iteration than the one fans have loved for over 60 years. Together, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr created collective magic, and their shared worldviews and experimental spirit would underpin a musical magical mystery tour like no other.
One key factor that defined The Beatles’ brilliance was their versatility as musicians. Each member was far from being a one-trick pony, constantly open to evolving with the rapidly changing times. They were always eager to refine their skills, which in turn elevated the quality of their music. This dedication to growth is why their back catalogue boasts one of the most influential artistic arcs in music history.
Whether it be John Lennon helming an array of instruments, George Harrison taking to the sitar like a fish to water, or Ringo Starr constantly shifting the nature of his drumming, The Beatles knew what they wanted to achieve, and unlike most groups, they knew exactly how to execute their plans. Just like that, the dream slowly came to life.
McCartney was also critical to this wildly successful mix. Not only was he one half of their transformative songwriting partnership, but he was also the finest multi-instrumentalist of the lot, to the extent that he even played drums on ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’. While Macca was undoubtedly adept at more instruments than all of his former bandmates and practically every famous musician alive, one conduit he particularly excelled on was the piano.
Throughout the band’s career, he played the traditional upright piano, grand piano, tack piano, and electric piano. While he wouldn’t play the keys at all during their earliest distinctly rock ‘n’ roll period, as they expanded their craft and matured as musicians, he would look to the ebony and ivory on numerous occasions, with this aspect of his craft featuring heavily on 1968’s The Beatles. Clearly, there’s much more to this side of the story than just the ‘Let It Be’ piano.
So, which songs by The Beatles did Paul McCartney play piano on?
Album tracks:
- ‘Little Child’ – With The Beatles (1963)
- ‘When I Get Home’ – A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
- ‘Every Little Thing’ – Beatles for Sale (1964)
- ‘You’re Going to Lose That Girl’ – Help! (1965)
- ‘You Like Me Too Much’ – Help! (1965)
- ‘Tell Me What You See’ – Help! (1965)
- ‘Drive My Car’ – Rubber Soul (1965)
- ‘You Won’t See Me’ – Rubber Soul (1965)
- ‘The Word’ – Rubber Soul (1965)
- ‘Good Day Sunshine’ – Revolver (1966)
- ‘For No One’ – Revolver (1966)
- ‘I Want to Tell You’ – Revolver (1966)
- ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
- ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ – Sgt. Pepper’s (1967)
- ‘Lovely Rita’ – Sgt. Pepper’s (1967)
- ‘A Day in the Life’ – Sgt. Pepper’s (1967)
- ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Dear Prudence’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Glass Onion’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Martha My Dear’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘I’m So Tired’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Birthday’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Sexy Sadie’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Revolution 1’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Honey Pie’ – The Beatles (1968)
- ‘Come Together’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘Octopus’s Garden’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘You Never Give Me Your Money’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘Golden Slumbers’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘Carry That Weight’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘The End’ – Abbey Road (1969)
- ‘Across the Universe’ – Let It Be (1970)
- ‘I Me Mine’ – Let It Be (1970)
- ‘Dig It’ – Let It Be (1970)
- ‘Let It Be’ – Let It Be (1970)
- ‘The Long and Winding Road’ – Let It Be (1970)
- ‘For You Blue’ – Let It Be (1970)
Other singles:
- ‘She’s a Woman’ (1964)
- ‘Bad Boy’ (1965)
- ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ (1969)
- ‘You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)’ (1970)
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