Last week, Sir Paul McCartney celebrated his 80th birthday. You don’t have to be a diehard McCartney fan to appreciate his music or have a deep-level of respect for all he has accomplished.
In honor of the Beatles bassist’s birthday, here are eight iconic Paul McCartney songs and their accompanying lyrics (one for each decade of his life) with lessons that pertain to the art of being a good teammate:
1. “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Baby, I’m amazed at the way you love me all the time
According to Rolling Stone this song ranks as McCartney’s top solo song. Its official music video has 7.4 million views, over 101K likes, and 0 dislikes. The fact that the video has that many views and nobody has disliked it speaks volumes about the song’s popularity.
The most amazing thing about good teammates is their unwavering love for their team. They do indeed love their team all the time.
2. “Live and Let Die”
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
This song served as the theme to the James Bond film of the same name (Roger Moore’s debut as 007). McCartney wrote the lyrics but only allowed producers to use the song if they agreed to use the version recorded by his band, Wings.
Good teammates are committed to doing their job. Regardless of what role they’re assigned, they insist on doing their job to the absolute best of their abilities.
3. “Here Comes the Sun”
Here comes the Sun and I say, It’s all right
From the Beatles’ Grammy-winning Abby Road album, “Here Comes the Sun” was written by bandmate George Harrison about the unpleasantness of long, cold English winters. McCartney played bass and provided back-up vocals during the famous recording.
Good teammates provide their teams with hope. Their arrival calms our spirits, warms our souls, and lets us know everything is going to be all right with the same daily consistency as the rising sun.
4. “Hey Jude”
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
This song was the Beatles’ most successful single in the USA. McCartney wrote it to comfort John Lennon’s son, Julian, after Lennon divorced the boy’s mother, Cynthia Powell, for Yoko Ono. Many fans view “Hey Jude” as the ultimate comfort song.
Good teammates are empathetic. They have a way of comforting us when we are sad. But good teammates are also invested. They start to make their teams’ problems better when they become invested enough to let others’ problems into their hearts.
5. “Let It Be”
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
“Let It Be” was the last song released on the last Beatles album before McCartney revealed that he was leaving the band. Some have speculated that the “Mother Mary” lyric is a reference to the Virgin Mary. Others have speculated it’s a tribute to McCartney’s late mother, whose name was Mary.
But former Beatles roadie, personal assistant, and general righthand man, Mal (Malcolm) Evans claimed in a television special that the original lyric was “When I find myself in times of trouble, Brother Malcolm comes to me” and that he was the song’s inspiration.
During our greatest moments of doubt, good teammates provide us with reassurance. They speak words of wisdom that remind us to focus on what we can control and not fret over what we cannot.
6. “Come Together”
Come together, right now, over me
With mentions of “old flat top,” “ju-ju eyeball,” “toe-jam football,” and “monkey fingers,” the lyrics to this song are bizarre, if not mismatched, by any standard. Yet when accompanied by music, they “come together” to form sheer genius.
The most successful teams are an eclectic collection of personalities that come together in pursuit of a common purpose. The only “good teammate” improvement I would make to this song is to alter the lyrics to be: “Come together, right now, put we over me.”
7. “All You Need Is Love”
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
The Beatles played this song for the first time during a worldwide television special known as “Our World.” The special was broadcast in 24 countries across six continents. The band was tasked with writing a song that would speak to people from all nations.
McCartney and Lennon were fans of songs with slogans that moved the masses. “All You Need is Love” became an anthem to the anti-war movement and 1967’s “Summer of Love.’
Good teammates are fueled by their love for their team. Want to be a good teammate? All you need is love. No other special talents are required.
8. “With a Little Help from My Friends”
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
From the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, this song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney but sung by drummer Ringo Starr. Legend has it that Starr, who traditionally only played instruments, was nervous about singing. However, he was able to make it through the experience with “a little help” from his friends.
Good teammates empower us to believe in ourselves. They give us the confidence to tackle challenges we might otherwise fear to be too difficult. No greater safety net exists than knowing you’ve got the support of a good teammate.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
