Hubbry Logo
Off the GroundOff the GroundMain
Open search
Off the Ground
Community hub
Off the Ground
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Off the Ground
Off the Ground
Off the Ground
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Off the Ground
Studio album by
Paul McCartney
Released1 February 1993
Recorded1 September 1991 – 30 June 1992
Studio
GenreRock
Length50:25
LabelParlophone (UK)
Capitol (US)
Producer
Paul McCartney chronology
Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
(1991) 		Off the Ground
(1993) 		The Paul McCartney Collection
(1993)
Singles from Off the Ground
  1. "Hope of Deliverance"
    Released: 29 December 1992
  2. "C'Mon People"
    Released: 22 February 1993
  3. "Off the Ground"
    Released: 19 April 1993
  4. "Biker Like an Icon"
    Released: 8 November 1993

Off the Ground is the ninth solo studio album by Paul McCartney. It was released on 1 February 1993,[1] through Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Capitol Records in the United States. The record was produced by McCartney with Julian Mendelsohn. As his first studio album of the 1990s, it is also the follow-up to the well-received Flowers in the Dirt (1989).

In contrast with the extensive list of personnel showcased on McCartney's previous albums, Off the Ground saw McCartney utilize a live-in-the-studio recording approach using only his touring band. Lyrically, the album sees McCartney delve deeper into social issues on songs such as "C'Mon People" and the animal rights anthem "Looking for Changes". Additionally, the record includes two tracks co-written with Elvis Costello, whom McCartney had previously worked with on Flowers in the Dirt.

Off the Ground was released to varying critical and commercial success. While the album reached number 5 in the UK and gained a top 20 hit with lead single "Hope of Deliverance", it only reached number 17 in the US, with the single stalling at number 83. The record was much more successful in Japan, where it sold better than its predecessor, and in mainland Europe, especially Germany, where it has become McCartney's most successful album.

Recording and structure

[edit]

After planning another world tour, the New World Tour, in 1993, to promote the album, McCartney chose to record Off the Ground with his touring band. Blair Cunningham joined on drums to replace Chris Whitten, who left to join Dire Straits.

McCartney decided to record the album "live in the studio", meaning that the band would rehearse an entire song then record it in one take, instead of recording each vocal track and instrumental track separately. This approach gave a raw, direct feel to the work.

The compositions, some of which were outtakes from Flowers in the Dirt, seemed less complex than those on the earlier album. "Mistress and Maid" and "The Lovers That Never Were", which emerged from McCartney's songwriting collaboration with Elvis Costello, made their appearance on this album. Costello, who had performed on Flowers in the Dirt, did not appear on Off the Ground.

McCartney chose co-producer Julian Mendelsohn to co-produce the album. He later told author Luca Perasi that McCartney "wanted spontaneity".[2] The first two songs taped were "Biker like an Icon" and "Peace in the Neighbourhood", both derived from some album rehearsals in November 1991.[3] Hamish Stuart played the bass on both tracks, using his Music Man Stingray 5-string.[4]

Recording resumed in December 1991 and continued until at least July 1992, including overdubs. On 30 June 1992 George Martin arranged a large orchestra for "C'Mon People" [5], while a trio of Latin percussion was overdubbed onto "Hope of Deliverance" on 17 July 1992.[6]

McCartney's increased interest in social issues came to prominence on this album, with the anti-animal cruelty rocker "Looking for Changes" (McCartney and his wife Linda both being long-time vegetarians by this time) and paeans for a better world ("Hope of Deliverance" and "C'Mon People"). The B-Side "Big Boys Bickering" lambasted politicians, with the phrase "Big boys bickering, fucking it up for everyone" showing a more aggressive side of McCartney and rare use of a swear word in the song. Another notable B-Side is "Long Leather Coat", a protest song co-written by Linda McCartney.

The CD's hidden track, a short excerpt of "Cosmically Conscious", was written by McCartney in 1968 during The Beatles' stay in Rishikesh, India. A full-length version of the recording was released as the B-Side of the "Off the Ground" single and later included on Off the Ground: The Complete Works.

McCartney would ask Youth, an electronic music producer, to remix tracks from the album for potential releases as 12" singles. These remixes would evolve into the Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest album, the first release by the McCartney and Youth collaboration, The Fireman.[7] A remix of "Hope of Deliverance" by Steve Anderson would be released as a 12" single instead, titled "Deliverance".[8]

The feet on the album cover are of McCartney, his wife Linda, and his touring band.

This album was the penultimate McCartney studio album to feature vocals and participation from Linda, who died of breast cancer in 1998.[9]

Release and reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStar[10]
Calgary HeraldB−[11]
Chicago Tribune(favourable)[12]
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStar[13]
Entertainment WeeklyC−[14]
The Essential Rock Discography4/10[15]
Houston ChronicleStarStarStarHalf star[16]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarHalf star[17]
MusicHoundStarStarHalf star[18]
Music WeekStarStarStar[19]
The New York Times(favourable)[20]
QStarStar[21]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star[22]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStar[23]

The lead single, "Hope of Deliverance", was released on 29 December 1992,[24][25] and the album followed on 1 February 1993.[26] Off the Ground was the first Paul McCartney album to contain no sizeable US hit singles since Wings' Wild Life in 1971. The album's first single barely reached the top 20, hitting number 18, in the UK, where "C'Mon People" became a minor hit as well. In the US, the album's title track also entered the Adult Contemporary chart at number 27. Singles from Off the Ground floundered on the US and the UK charts. However, "Hope of Deliverance" achieved commercial success elsewhere. It became McCartney's first international hit single since "Say, Say, Say" with Michael Jackson in 1983, cracking the top 5 on the charts in over five European territories except his homeland and selling over 250,000 copies in Germany alone.

In the United Kingdom, the album itself debuted at number 5 and quickly fell off the chart, spending only six weeks inside the top 100.[27] In the United States, it peaked at the number 17 on the Billboard 200 with the first-week sales of only 53,000 copies, managing to receive Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[28] Although it met with mixed reviews from critics and suffered from lackluster sales in the UK and North America, the album fared better in other key markets such as Spain. In Japan, it surpassed its predecessor Flowers in the Dirt in cumulative sales.[29] In Germany, Off the Ground has been McCartney's best-selling album, spending 20 weeks on the top-ten and eventually achieving Platinum for shipments of over half a million copies.[30]

Some weeks after its release, McCartney launched the New World Tour, playing many shows across the world during the summer months. These concerts were documented on the album Paul Is Live, which followed at the end of 1993.

Track listing

[edit]

All songs by Paul McCartney, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Off the Ground" 3:40
2."Looking for Changes" 2:47
3."Hope of Deliverance" 3:22
4."Mistress and Maid"
3:00
5."I Owe It All to You" 4:51
6."Biker Like an Icon" 3:26
7."Peace in the Neighbourhood" 5:06
8."Golden Earth Girl" 3:45
9."The Lovers That Never Were"
  • McCartney
  • MacManus
3:43
10."Get Out of My Way" 3:32
11."Winedark Open Sea" 5:27
12."C'Mon People" (ends at 5:46, includes an excerpt of "Cosmically Conscious") 7:42
Japanese bonus CD
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Long Leather Coat"
  • McCartney
  • Linda McCartney
3:35
2."Kicked Around No More" 5:28
Total length:9:03

Off the Ground: The Complete Works

[edit]
Off the Ground: The Complete Works
Studio album (reissue) by
Paul McCartney
Released1 December 1993
GenreRock
Length98:56
Label
Producer

Off the Ground: The Complete Works is a two-disc set released in Germany and the Netherlands. The first disc contains the original Off the Ground album, with the second collecting various B-sides and two previously unreleased tracks from his 1991 MTV Unplugged concert, "Things We Said Today" and "Midnight Special", which were later released as B-sides to the single "Biker Like an Icon".

Despite the title, the set is missing two B-sides, three promo remixes, one promo B-side, and one international single mix:

  • "Deliverance" and "Deliverance (Dub Mix)", dance-oriented reworkings by Steve Anderson of the song "Hope of Deliverance", released as B-sides of the "C'mon People" CD single No. 1;
  • the three promo remixes of "Off the Ground" released to American radio, namely the Bob Clearmountain remix, the Keith Cohen remix, and the Keith Cohen AC remix;
  • the MTV Unplugged outtake "Mean Woman Blues", which was a B-side of the "Biker Like An Icon" promo CD single, and
  • the single mix of "Off the Ground" contained on the EU and Japanese CD singles.

Off the Ground: The Complete Works has not been reissued and is now out of print and not legally for sale as a digital download.

Track listing

[edit]
Off the Ground: The Complete Works disc two
No.TitleB-side ofLength
1."Long Leather Coat" (McCartney, Linda McCartney)"Hope of Deliverance"3:35
2."Keep Coming Back to Love" (McCartney, Hamish Stuart)"C'Mon People"5:00
3."Sweet Sweet Memories""Off the Ground"4:03
4."Things We Said Today" (Lennon–McCartney)"Biker Like an Icon"3:45
5."Midnight Special" (Traditional, arranged by McCartney)"Biker Like an Icon"4:55
6."Style Style""Off the Ground"6:00
7."I Can't Imagine""C'Mon People"4:37
8."Cosmically Conscious""Off the Ground"4:41
9."Kicked Around No More""Hope of Deliverance"5:24
10."Big Boys Bickering""Hope of Deliverance"3:20
11."Down to the River""C'Mon People"3:31
12."Soggy Noodle""Off the Ground"0:28
Total length:47:25

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Off the Ground
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[48] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[49] Gold 50,000^
France (SNEP)[50] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[51] Platinum 500,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[52] Gold 92,000[29]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[56] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Off the Ground

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is the ninth solo studio album by English musician , released on 1 February 1993. Co-produced by McCartney and , the record was recorded live in the studio with McCartney's touring band at The Mill Studios in , , marking a shift toward a fuller band sound compared to his prior solo efforts. It features songwriting collaborations with on "" and "The Lovers That Never Were," alongside orchestral arrangements by on the closing track "C'mon People." The album's lyrics, reviewed for quality by poet , explore themes of optimism and personal reflection, with the title track representing an early instance of McCartney incorporating computer technology into his composition process. Off the Ground debuted at number 17 on the chart in the United States, though it lacked a major hit single, continuing a trend of modest commercial performance for McCartney's solo work in the early .

Background

Career Context and Development

Off the Ground served as Paul McCartney's ninth solo studio album, emerging four years after the critically acclaimed Flowers in the Dirt (1989), which had marked a creative resurgence following a decade of mixed reception for his lighter pop-oriented releases in the 1980s. The album's development occurred between 1990 and 1992, building on the momentum from McCartney's first major tour since 1976, a 1989-1990 world outing that re-energized his live performance approach and informed a shift toward recording with a consistent band setup rather than layered overdubs. This period reflected personal evolutions, including deepened commitments to vegetarianism—adopted in the 1970s alongside Linda McCartney—and family-centric living at their Sussex estate, which fostered introspective songwriting amid global shifts like the Cold War's end in 1991. Motivated by a desire to infuse greater thematic depth, McCartney addressed social concerns such as animal rights and collective human unity, drawing from empirical observations of societal progress and ethical imperatives rather than superficial trends. Tracks like "Looking for Changes" explicitly critiqued animal experimentation, aligning with his long-term advocacy against factory farming and , while "C'Mon People" advocated for global solidarity in a post-Cold War era. This pivot responded to earlier criticisms of his 1980s work—such as Pipes of Peace (1983) and Press to Play (1986)—as overly commercial and lacking substance, prompting a return to melody-driven narratives grounded in personal conviction over confectionery pop. By leveraging home-based experimentation and touring-honed ensemble dynamics, McCartney prioritized causal storytelling, emphasizing unity and ethical reform as antidotes to division.

Recording and Production

Sessions and Locations

Recording for Off the Ground took place primarily at McCartney's home studio, The Mill, in , England, spanning from September 1991 through July 1992, with intensive sessions occurring between late November 1991 and early December 1991, followed by further work into mid-1992. McCartney co-produced the album with , employing his touring band to capture a raw, live-in-the-studio sound that minimized overdubs and emphasized collective performance over layered studio enhancements. The core ensemble included on backing vocals and keyboards, guitarist , multi-instrumentalist on bass, guitar, and vocals, keyboardist Paul "Wix" Wickens, and drummer , alongside McCartney's contributions on lead vocals, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and percussion. This approach involved rehearsing full songs as a unit before committing to single takes, which promoted band cohesion and yielded the album's 13 tracks from an initial pool of demos developed during extended group sessions. Unlike McCartney's preceding synth-oriented works such as (1986), the production here prioritized organic textures through prominent use of acoustic guitars, piano, and minimal electronic elements, resulting in a grittier, band-driven aesthetic that echoed live performance dynamics. Technical choices, including sparse dubbing and focus on natural room acoustics at The Mill, contributed to the album's unified sonic character, distinguishing it from more polished contemporaries in McCartney's .

Songwriting Process

McCartney composed the bulk of Off the Ground's material independently, adhering to his longstanding practice of initiating songs with melodic hooks and bass lines before integrating lyrics drawn from personal observations. This melody-driven foundation allowed for iterative refinement, as evidenced by the album's development from initial ideas to structured tracks emphasizing rhythmic propulsion and harmonic layering. A notable example is "Looking for Changes," where lyrics critiquing animal experimentation stemmed directly from McCartney's advocacy against , reflecting his and animal rights activism adopted in the 1970s alongside . Similarly, tracks like "C'Mon People" showcase post-Beatles efficiency in crafting complex arrangements, with shifting time signatures and multi-part structures built atop bass-led progressions that maintain accessibility. Songwriting collaborations were confined to two tracks co-authored with —"" and "The Lovers That Never Were"—which originated from demo sessions extending their partnership from . While core composition remained McCartney's domain, touring band members including and provided arrangement suggestions during live studio tracking, enhancing instrumental interplay without altering foundational lyrics or melodies.

Musical Content

Style and Composition

Off the Ground exhibits a core framework, augmented by folk-tinged acoustics and Latin rhythmic elements, as in "," which employs conga percussion and bossa nova-inspired grooves for textural variety. The 12-track spans 50 minutes and 26 seconds, yielding an average song duration of about 4 minutes and 12 seconds, which supports succinct verse-chorus structures reliant on McCartney's propulsive bass lines and hook-driven progressions. McCartney, co-producing with , prioritized live band recordings with his touring ensemble to foster immediacy, eschewing extensive overdubs and external session players in favor of core group interplay for a streamlined, instrument-forward aesthetic. This approach yields a relatively unadorned sonic palette, diverging from the layered synth integrations of 1989's by emphasizing analog warmth and rhythmic cohesion over electronic embellishments. Sonically, the record mediates McCartney's synth-heavy ventures and a refined sensibility, highlighted by melodic directness in uptempo cuts yet tempered by critics' observations of subdued drive and formulaic edges in select arrangements.

Themes and Lyrics

The on Off the Ground address social , ethical treatment of , and individual resilience, often rooted in McCartney's personal experiences and principles rather than abstract . Tracks like "C'Mon People" emphasize communal and collective effort to overcome divisions, framing unity as a practical imperative for societal progress without delving into specific policy mechanisms. Animal welfare emerges as a recurrent motif, particularly in "Looking for Changes," which directly condemns and laboratory experimentation on sentient beings, portraying such practices as inflicting needless suffering for human gain. This stance aligns with McCartney's , adopted in 1975 after witnessing , a commitment that informed his advocacy for broader changes in interspecies relations based on observable ethical inconsistencies in testing protocols. Personal hope amid uncertainty appears in "," where McCartney explores emotional interdependence and optimism as counters to encroaching difficulties, drawing from intimate relational dynamics to suggest deliverance through shared understanding rather than external interventions. Similarly, " in the Neighbourhood" incorporates observations from McCartney's locale, depicting community tensions including racial frictions through vignettes of daily , grounding abstract in tangible human interactions. To enhance lyrical precision and counter dismissals of lightweight phrasing, McCartney enlisted poet to scrutinize the words as an academic editor, ensuring clarity and poetic integrity derived from real-world inspirations over contrived moralizing. While some interpretations highlight potential sentimentality in simplifying multifaceted issues like global discord—eschewing rigorous causal breakdowns of conflict drivers—the approach yields accessible advocacy; for instance, "" reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart in 1993, embedding these reflections in formats that reached mass audiences and prompted discourse on ethical living.

Track Listing

All tracks are written by Paul McCartney, except where noted.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Off the Ground"McCartney3:40 []https://music.apple.com/us/album/off-the-ground/1440942732)
2"Looking for Changes"McCartney2:47
3"Hope of Deliverance"McCartney3:22
4"Mistress and Maid"McCartney, Elvis Costello3:00
5"I Owe It All to You"McCartney4:51
6"Biker Like an Icon"McCartney3:35
7"Peace in the Neighbourhood"McCartney5:13
8"Golden Earth Girl"McCartney3:45
9"The Lovers That Never Were"McCartney3:43
10"Get Out of My Way"McCartney2:38
11"Winedark Open Sea"McCartney5:28
12"C'mon People"McCartney5:10
13"Cosmically Conscious"McCartney2:15
The album's total runtime is 50 minutes. No significant regional variations in the standard track sequencing were reported for the initial Capitol and releases. Singles from the album featured additional b-sides, such as "Style Style" accompanying "C'mon People" in some markets.

Release

Initial Release and Promotion

, Paul McCartney's ninth solo studio album, was released on 2 February 1993 in the United Kingdom by Records and on 9 February 1993 in the United States by . The rollout positioned the album as a return to organic pop-rock production, recorded with McCartney's touring ensemble to emphasize live-band cohesion ahead of extensive touring. Promotion centered on the New World Tour, which launched on 18 February 1993 in Europe and extended through North America, South America, and Oceania, with 77 concerts concluding on 16 December 1993, directly tying the album's themes to live performances. A promotional video for the title track was filmed in early December 1992 at a ranch near San Rafael, California, utilizing effects from Industrial Light & Magic to visualize the song's uplifting narrative. Retail marketing included Capitol Records posters distributed to stores, highlighting the album's artwork and tracklist to drive physical sales in an era of shifting music consumption. Television exposure featured the 1993 special Paul McCartney Live in the New World, which captured tour footage and premiered segments promoting the album's material alongside McCartney's catalog staples. The campaign avoided major controversies, focusing instead on McCartney's established appeal and the album's straightforward musicality without reliance on provocative stunts or media spectacles.

Singles

The lead single "Hope of Deliverance" was released on 28 December 1992 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart after entering on 9 January 1993. It included B-sides "Long Leather Coat", a rock track protesting animal cruelty, and "Kicked Around No More", alongside "Big Boys Bickering" on some editions. Formats encompassed 7-inch vinyl, 12-inch vinyl with extended mixes, and CD singles featuring additional remixes like the "LatiMix". The track garnered radio airplay and moderate UK success but floundered on the US , reflecting broader challenges for established pop-rock acts amid the 1993 dominance of and alternative genres; it fared better in , aligning with its Latin percussion influences. "C'Mon People", an upbeat call for global unity, followed as the second single on 22 1993, exclusively in the UK where it peaked at number 41. The 7-inch vinyl paired it with B-side "I Can't Imagine", a soulful , while CD versions added remixes such as the "Deliverance Mix" and tracks like "Keep Coming Back to Love". It received limited promotion and no release, contributing to minimal commercial impact as listener preferences shifted toward heavier, youth-oriented rock amid economic and genre fragmentation. The title track "Off the Ground" served as the third single, released on 19 April 1993 in the UK, reaching number 27 on the UK Singles Chart. B-sides included "Cosmically Conscious", a brief mantra-like piece, with some international editions featuring "Soggy Noodle" as an acoustic intro in the music video. Available in CD and vinyl formats, including a Keith Cohen remix exclusive to certain pressings, the single emphasized electronic production elements McCartney explored via computer sequencing. Directed by Matthew Robbins and featuring Industrial Light & Magic effects, its video highlighted uplifting themes but saw subdued radio traction in core markets, underscoring the era's preference for raw, distorted sounds over polished pop arrangements. In the US, it peaked at number 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart without entering the Hot 100.

The Complete Works Edition

The Off the Ground: The Complete Works edition, released on 30 November 1993, is a two-disc set that pairs the original 13-track album with a bonus disc compiling 12 additional recordings, predominantly B-sides from the album's promotional singles. This configuration catered to collectors seeking comprehensive access to related material without purchasing individual singles, which included non-album tracks recorded during the same sessions at The Mill Studios in . The bonus disc features:
  • "Long Leather Coat" (B-side to "Hope of Deliverance")
  • "Keep Coming Back to Love" (B-side to "C'mon People")
  • "Sweet Sweet Memories" (B-side to "Biker Like an Icon")
  • "Things We Said Today" (cover, B-side to "Hope of Deliverance")
  • "Midnight Special" (traditional, B-side to "C'mon People")
  • "Style Style" (B-side to "Mistress and Maid")
  • "I Can't Imagine" (B-side to "Looking for Changes")
  • "Cosmically Conscious" (alternate or extended version)
  • "Kicked Around No More"
  • "Big Boys Bickering"
  • "Down to the River"
  • "Soggy Noodle"
These selections encompass outtakes, covers, and stylistic experiments like the instrumental "Soggy Noodle," reflecting McCartney's exploratory approach during production with co-producer . The edition saw limited distribution, primarily in European markets such as and the , and was not part of subsequent major reissue campaigns, including the 2025 Japanese SHM-CD program that remastered titles like (tied to the album's tour) but omitted Off the Ground. While no significant physical reissues have followed, the bonus tracks remain accessible via digital streaming platforms, often bundled with the core album.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release on February 1, 1993, Off the Ground elicited mixed responses from critics, who acknowledged McCartney's melodic craftsmanship and lyrical depth on social themes while faulting the album's perceived conservatism amid the rising dominance of and . praised its fine songs and sustained mood but critiqued its occasional sluggishness, suggesting McCartney needed a firmer to inject vigor, especially when contrasted with contemporaries like Mick Jagger's more energetic Wandering Spirit released the same year. AllMusic viewed the record as a logical successor to Flowers in the Dirt (1989), appreciating McCartney's unapologetic focus on accessible pop structures rather than grand ambition, though it noted the production's straightforwardness bordered on formulaic. UK outlets similarly highlighted positives in thematic maturity—such as unity pleas in "C'Mon People" and animal rights advocacy in "Looking for Changes"—but expressed weariness at the reliance on polished, Beatles-esque pop amid the era's rawer sonic shifts. Aggregate scores from contemporaneous critiques hovered around 3 out of 5, encapsulating this divide between admiration for melodic hooks and thematic substance versus complaints of safety and insufficient edge. Empirical fan evaluations, however, frequently placed Off the Ground higher in solo McCartney rankings than critics' verdicts implied, underscoring a disconnect where audience polls favored its consistency over contemporaneous releases dismissed by reviewers.

Commercial Performance

Off the Ground debuted at number 5 on the , spending six weeks in the top 100. In the United States, it peaked at number 17 on the , remaining on the chart for 20 weeks. Year-end rankings reflected modest performance, with no top placements in major markets amid competition from emerging genres. Singles from the album underperformed in the Anglosphere; lead single "Hope of Deliverance" reached number 18 in the UK, while "C'Mon People" achieved minor success there. In the US, the title track entered the Adult Contemporary chart at number 27 but failed to chart on the Hot 100. Performance was stronger elsewhere, particularly in Europe, where the album topped charts in Germany for multiple weeks and earned platinum certification for 500,000 units sold. The album received gold certification in the US from the RIAA for 500,000 units shipped and silver certification in the UK from the BPI for 60,000 units. Global sales are estimated at approximately 2.5 million copies, lower than the 3.7 million for predecessor , indicating market saturation for McCartney's style. Released in 1993 during the dominance of and acts like Nirvana and , the album's pop-rock orientation faced reduced commercial viability as consumer preferences shifted toward rawer, youth-oriented sounds over polished veteran productions. The , documented on the 1993 live album , generated synergy through merchandise and exposure but failed to drive blockbuster sales, underscoring era-specific challenges rather than inherent product weakness.

Retrospective Assessments

In the 2010s and , Off the Ground has undergone reappraisal as one of Paul McCartney's more cohesive and underrated solo efforts, with critics highlighting its melodic strengths and band-oriented sound amid broader reevaluations of his output. Publications such as Culture Sonar in 2022 described it as a "great collection of songs" blending irresistible melodies with thoughtful lyrics, urging listeners to revisit it beyond initial dismissals tied to post-Beatles expectations. Similarly, a analysis on The Press Music Reviews deemed it "one of Paul's most consistent albums from start to finish," praising its clutter-free arrangements as resembling an "unrealised masterpiece" when judged on its own terms rather than against earlier peaks. These views counter earlier critiques by emphasizing empirical listening experiences, where tracks like "Off the Ground" and "" demonstrate sophisticated orchestration without overproduction. A by JR Moores, Off the Ground: Paul McCartney in the , provides a detailed defense of the era's work, arguing it represents McCartney's most significant creative period since , with the album exemplifying prescient themes of optimism and amid personal and musical evolution. Moores' analysis, drawing on and interviews, positions Off the Ground as benefiting from a full-band dynamic that fosters unity, though he acknowledges dated production elements like overly polished mixes that aged less gracefully in grunge-dominated contexts. Fan communities, including discussions from 2021 to 2024, echo this by labeling it a "hidden gem" and "under appreciated," with users citing its compassionate writing and overlooked tracks as evidence against persistent underestimation rooted in elitist preferences for edgier aesthetics over commercial melody. This shift in perception correlates with increased accessibility via streaming platforms, enabling broader empirical engagement that diminishes biases from 1993's critical climate, where the album's upbeat pop-rock clashed with prevailing alternative trends. However, not all retrospectives are unqualified; a 2023 Rock and Roll Globe piece noted it as McCartney "marking time" without innovation, reflecting a casualness that some interpret as complacency rather than restraint. Overall, these assessments underscore causal factors like temporal distance from comparisons, revealing the album's enduring merits in melody and cohesion while critiquing production choices that now sound era-specific.

Credits

Personnel

Paul McCartney performed lead vocals, , acoustic and electric guitars, , , , , celeste, , , congas, and percussion, in addition to providing backing vocals. Linda McCartney contributed second vocals, , celeste, , harmonium, percussion, backing vocals, and train whistle effects. The core band consisted of on electric, acoustic, Spanish, and slide guitars, as well as and backing vocals; on second vocals, electric, acoustic, bass, and 12-string guitars, , percussion, and backing vocals; and on drums, congas, and backing vocals. Additional keyboard contributions came from , who played , , , , programmed drums, , percussion, and backing vocals. Guest musicians included oboist Gordon Hunt and flutist Susan Milan on track 8, percussionists Davide Giovannini, Maurizio Ravalico, and David Pattman on track 3, and the Midnight Horns horn section on track 10.

Production Staff

Paul McCartney and co-produced Off the Ground, overseeing the album's recording sessions from November 1991 to October 1992. Bob Kraushaar served as the primary recording engineer. Aubrey Powell handled art direction, while and acted as creative consultants. Orchestral arrangements for tracks 4 ("C'Mon People") and 8 ("The Lovers That Never Were") were conducted by . McCartney's direct involvement as producer facilitated tight control over the project's technical execution and thematic consistency.

References

  1. https://www.paulmccartney.com/discography/albums/off-the-ground
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/93701-Paul-McCartney-Off-The-Ground
  3. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartney-off-the-ground/
  4. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/off-the-ground/
  5. https://www.facebook.com/100083556020287/posts/-january-31-1993paul-mccartney-released-his-ninth-solo-studio-album-off-the-grou/580332588095270/
  6. https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/paul-mccartney/albums/flowers-in-the-dirt/
  7. https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/paul-mccartney/albums/off-the-ground/
  8. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-paul-mccartney-is-the-ultimate-animal-rights-superstar/
  9. https://beatlefansomethingnew.wordpress.com/2018/03/03/reassessing-paul-mccartneys-off-the-ground-25-years-later/
  10. https://www.peta.org/features/paul-mccartney-looking-for-changes-end-vivisection/
  11. https://millheiser.com/hokeyblog/2017/10/02/8967/
  12. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/album/off-the-ground/
  13. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/album/off-the-grounds-sessions/
  14. https://blog.discmakers.com/2022/04/genius-of-paul-mccartneys-basslines/
  15. https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/06/10/481256944/all-songs-1-a-conversation-with-paul-mccartney
  16. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/paul-mccartney/looking-for-changes
  17. https://blog.discmakers.com/2022/06/after-the-beatles-paul-mccartneys-basslines/
  18. https://www.culturesonar.com/paul-mccartneys-off-the-ground-give-another-listen/
  19. https://x.com/LucaPerasi/status/1890176221843190048
  20. https://www.allmusic.com/album/off-the-ground-mw0000092911
  21. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/off-the-ground-203608/
  22. https://fixquotes.com/music/paul-mccartney/off-the-ground/
  23. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/looking-for-changes/
  24. https://vegnews.com/7-vegan-songs-to-add-to-your-playlist
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkMkb99ohkU
  26. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Paul-McCartney/Hope-of-Deliverance
  27. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hard-Report/1993/Hard-1993-02-05.pdf
  28. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/masteralbum/off-the-ground/
  29. https://music.apple.com/us/album/off-the-ground/1440942732
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/1076775-Paul-McCartney-Off-The-Ground
  31. https://www.paulmccartney.com/discography/albums/off-the-ground-the-complete-works
  32. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1993/02/02/uk-album-release-off-the-ground-paul-mccartney/
  33. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1993/02/09/us-album-release-off-the-ground-paul-mccartney/
  34. https://www.paulmccartney.com/live/the-new-world-tour
  35. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/tour/the-new-world-tour/
  36. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/film/off-the-ground/
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kNQQTDfbnU
  38. https://www.ebay.com/itm/187498326539
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323599/
  40. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paul-mccartney-hope-of-deliverance/
  41. https://www.nowmusicwiki.com/index.php/Paul_McCartney_-_Hope_Of_Deliverance
  42. https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/paul-mccartney/songs/kicked-around-no-more/
  43. https://www.jpgr.co.uk/r6330.html
  44. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/cmon-people/
  45. https://www.reddit.com/r/PaulMcCartney/comments/1k41kuv/daily_song_discussion_259_cmon_people/
  46. https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/paul-mccartney/songs/cmon-people/
  47. https://www.jpgr.co.uk/r6338.html
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9485684/
  49. https://www.discogs.com/release/2189722-Paul-McCartney-Off-The-Ground-The-Complete-Works
  50. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/album/off-the-ground-the-complete-works/
  51. https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/paul-mccartney-batch-4-japanese-mini-lp-shm-cds/
  52. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/17346-paul-mccartney-off-the-ground.php
  53. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/paul-mccartney/off-the-ground/reviews/7/
  54. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/paul-mccartney-off-the-ground/
  55. https://music.fandom.com/wiki/Off_The_Ground
  56. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/35523
  57. https://chartmasters.org/paul-mccartney-albums-and-songs-sales/
  58. https://webgrafikk.com/blog/uncategorized/paul-mccartney-off-ground/
  59. https://thepressmusicreviews.wordpress.com/2019/10/22/paul-mccartney-off-the-ground-1993/
  60. https://reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/off-the-ground
  61. https://www.reddit.com/r/PaulMcCartney/comments/nmnzzx/under_appreciated_gem_off_the_ground/
  62. https://www.reddit.com/r/PaulMcCartney/comments/z25fiy/is_off_the_ground_1993_the_most_underrated/
  63. https://rockandrollglobe.com/beatle/looking-for-changes-paul-mccartneys-off-the-ground-at-30/
  64. https://genius.com/albums/Paul-mccartney/Off-the-ground
  65. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/paul-mccartney/off-the-ground/
  66. https://www.discogs.com/release/6698811-Paul-McCartney-Off-The-Ground
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.