1973 is typically not the year you think of when someone mentions great “Beatles” music. The band had been broken up for three years, and John, Paul, George, and Ringo were all well established in their solo careers. But what if I were to tell you that in 1973, each of them released an incredible album? Because that’s exactly what happened.
There was a total of five albums released in 1973. While a few of them are “lesser known” albums; a couple of them are pure masterpieces. Let’s take a moment and explore each one individually.
Paul McCartney and Wings: Red Rose Speedway Released April 30, 1973.
The McCartney machine was in full swing as Sir Paul would release two albums in 1973, along with three of his most popular singles (C Moon, Hi, Hi, Hi, and Live and Let Die.) While Red Rose Speedway is not the most well-known of his albums, it does contain the song My Love. An incredible tribute to his wife Linda McCartney, My Love has gone on to become a staple at any McCartney show.
George Harrison: Living in the Material World Released May 30, 1973
Living in the Material World had the unenviable task of following Harrison’s masterpiece solo debut All Things Must Pass. Out of all of George’s solo albums, Living in the Material World is his most spiritual. With songs like: Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth, Be Here Now, and The Day the World Gets Round, it’s like an open invitation from Harrison to join him on his spiritual quest for enlightenment.
John Lennon: Mind Games Released October 29, 1973
In my opinion, Mind Games is Lennon’s most underrated solo album. Recorded at a turbulent time in his life (the Nixon White House was working to deport Lennon and he had just separated from Yoko Ono), Mind Games finds John struggling to continue. Yet through all of this heartache, pain, and fear; Lennon crafts an album full of humor, beauty, and top-tapping music. Highlights include: Tight A$, Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple), and Out the Blue.
Ringo Starr: Ringo Released November 2, 1973
If there is one album from this list that you should go out of your way to listen to, it’s this one. Ringo puts together an album of great pop-rock songs that have stood the test of time. From I’m the Greatest to Photograph to Oh My My, Ringo is without a doubt the best solo album from Starr. Add to that, this album is the closet we ever got to a “proper” Beatles reunion album as John, Paul, and George all contribute to this incredible debut album.
Paul McCartney and Wings: Band on the Run Released December 5, 1973
What can we say about Band on the Run that hasn’t already been said before? It truly is a masterpiece. It’s one of the best albums of the 1970s and McCartney’s best solo album. It’ll get you rocking from the very first note, and hold you to the very last. And how could it not, with songs like: Band on the Run, Jet, Let Me Roll It, and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five. This album is pure perfection.
And there you have it. The five albums each former Beatle released in 1973. If you have a moment, check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
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