“Coming Up“ is a song written and performed by Paul McCartney….which is the opening track on his 1980 solo album McCartney II…..and like other songs on the album…..it has a minimalist synthesised sound, featuring sped-up vocals created by using a vari-speed tape machine. McCartney played all instruments and shared vocal harmonies with wife Linda McCartney.
The single was a major chart hit in Britain while peaking at # 2 on the singles chart…..when in the United States and Canada….the live version of the song performed by Paul McCartney and Wings….as seen in this video herewith….was released as the B-side to the single….and saw greater success.
In a Rolling Stone interview, McCartney explained how the song came about:
“I originally cut it on my farm in Scotland. I went into the studio each day and just started with a drum track. Then I built it up bit by bit without any idea of how the song was going to turn out. After laying down the drum track, I added guitars and bass, building up the backing track.
Then I thought, ‘Well, OK, what am I going to do for the voice?’ I was working with a vari-speed machine with which you can speed up your voice, or take it down a little bit. That’s how the voice sound came about.”
— Paul McCartney
John Lennon described “Coming Up” as “a good piece of work” and, according to McCartney, it prompted Lennon to return to recording in 1980.
