Directed by Zachary Heinzerling
Starring Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin
6 episode documentary series
Premieres July 16th on Hulu

by Ashley Jane Davis, Staff Writer

Dear Diary,

Do you remember when Paul McCartney was on my brain all the time? In my pre-teen and early teen days, McCartney was my world. I knew the Beatles, of course, but there was so much more to discover. I would buy any used record I could track down (since old vinyl was easier to find and much cheaper than these CD thingies), and listen the whole way through, jotting down notes about each song that I would then tape to the cover of the record. I had to have it all. Eventually, I did own every album.

When I was 16, I went to see Paul McCartney in concert for his Driving USA tour and I totally almost DIED that night from the sheer emotional overload. I’ll never forget my body, shakinggg with tears. This was such a big deal in my life, there was a school announcement wishing me luck as if I were an athlete heading off to the Olympics. The next day, my favourite teacher gave me time to talk about the concert before we got on with our lesson. The secret was out – I was Beatles Girl (XOXO), and everyone MUST KNOW how amazing my fave Beatle was. 

However, times change. I got older and didn’t care about ol’ Paulie as much. In fact, I had changed a lot. Sure, Paul could write beautifully sweet and melodic confections, but were his songs of any real substance? Where are the ones that broke my heart? The lyrics that made me think? Made me cry? Well, there weren’t many. As I got more in touch with my emotional side (in actuality, my emotions exploded like a bomb), I found myself dismissing this same artist who meant so much to me previously, seeing him as an egomaniac who was rarely vulnerable. “Haven’t you got anything to really say, Paul? Have ya just been tricking us with your charlatan melodies?” Still. The teen Ashley Jane inside was screaming at me, “OMG! YOU CAN WATCH A McCARTNEY THING EARLY? AND ACTUALLY WRITE A REVIEW?! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?? DO IT!” I instantly thought of my long-lost pen pal Anna in Italy, and how if I could have done this when we were teens, we would have litchrilly expired from excitement. Of course! I have to do this!

XOXO,
Macca Girl (Macca was something that was cool to call McCartney but, prob not cool anymore?)

Dear Diary,

OMG. I watched all of McCartney 3,2,1 and I. Am. Pumpedddd. You gotta watch it! 

I love the format of this documentary series. It comprises of six 30-minute episodes in a recording studio setting, each with a loose theme, and not a chronological structure. The main thing you should know is that it is about the music. This isn’t a biography, and it doesn’t really get too personal. That is my favourite thing about it! That is the selling feature to me. If you’re a McCartney fan, you know the story already. You’ve heard his stories a billion times. Perhaps you could quote entire monologues from his interview with Diane Sawyer in 2000. No? Just me? Anyway, if you’ve heard it all and seen it all – this is still for you.

In each stunning black and white episode (a style choice that I absolutely love), Paul talks shop with super producer, Rick Rubin, as they take a close look at songs from McCartney’s extensive career. It is very heavy on Beatles songs, understandably, but it is refreshing that they consider songs penned by Lennon and Harrison too. This series isn’t so much a spotlight on McCartney’s songwriting, as much as it highlights contributions to so many songs are really so… *him*. Whether you love him or love to hate him, this is one seriously talented human. This guy with no musical theory background has his fingerprints on some of the most beautiful and exciting melodies of the 20th century. 

As a music geek, and especially as an amateur musician and music producer, every time they touch the mixing board faders to clearly isolate a certain instrument or part of a master recording, it’s thrilling! Some of my favourite moments include the two feels of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in Episode 1, the piccolo and flute solo in “Penny Lane” in Episode 2, the percussive bass of “Dear Prudence” in Episode 3, the tuba-like “granny music” bass of “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” in Episode 4, the totally bizarre radar lead guitar left out of “Maybe I’m Amazed” in Episode 5, and the hi-hats and clapping buried deep in “And Your Bird Can Sing” in Episode 6. I was totally buzzing watching this!

Another thing worth mentioning regarding McCartney is that while he is known as being Bossy with a capital B within the Beatles, we witness a fair amount of humility from the guy here. A number of mistakes and bad takes are highlighted, with priceless reactions, showing he’s not afraid to (finally) show that side of himself. He is extremely complimentary of the talents of his fellow Beatles, and more than once makes expressions that are a little on the self-deprecating side. Paul mentions that he’s finally far enough removed from the experience of being a Beatle that he can actually listen as a fan. It doesn’t really matter, but the thing that irritates me about McCartney is that as an artist, he never seems to be vulnerable, so seeing even a hint of this side of him is actually quite endearing. 

Now back to me (this is my diary, after all). I’ve learned that it’s okay that Paul doesn’t do it all for me. I’m not going to spend hours wondering about what he’s saying, or contemplating his many layers. However, I will grin in awe every time I hear the first four chords in “Pipes of Peace”, or his harmonies with himself in the third verse of “Long Haired Lady”, or just want to totally barf at how much I love “Arrow Through Me”. Teen Ashley Jane is back! Really, I don’t think she ever left. Paul, you’re still my guy. 

The music McCartney made will survive for who knows how long. I believe it will continue to inspire countless folks for as long as we live on this planet. I feel pretty lucky to live at the same time as him, and to have his musical influence in my back pocket always. 

Please enjoy this McCartney playlist, very lovingly made by me, including my favourite weird and wonderful gems hidden between the songs you’ve heard in Target for decades (which are still good!).

XOXO,
Macca Girl