A song featured on veteran songwriter Paul McCartney‘s latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, is an instant classic.
Fans of the album, which marked McCartney’s first studio release in six years, say that the opening song is an immediate hit and one of his very best. The Beatles and Wings member released his 20th solo studio album on May 29 to rave reviews from fans and critics. Two songs were singled out as “essential McCartney” tracks but one song in particular was tipped as an “instant classic” that won fans over from the very first listen. As You Lie There, which opens The Boys of Dungeon Lane, received plenty of praise from listeners, and some are hopeful of hearing it as part of McCartney’s live performances.
A fan took to the Paul McCartney subreddit and shared their thoughts on which two songs are the best of The Boys of Dungeon Lane. They wrote: “As You Lie There and We Two are essential McCartney. I really like all the songs on the new album, but these two are ‘classic’ material. It’s so nice to hear new songs this solid from the guy who wrote Here, There, and Everywhere 60 years ago. The whole album showcases his versatility and musicianship brilliantly, but these two songs prove his songwriting genius is still alive and well. Thank you, Macca. We are so lucky to have you! More albums, please!”
Others have since agreed with this assessment of As You Lie There. A fan replied: “As You Lie There is an instant classic. I couldn’t believe how gripping it was. The weird opening chord and spoken word intro – wow.” Another added: “Been stuck in my head for days.”
A third shared: “Love it. What a way to open the album. Spoken words, harmonies, then his rock voice. Magnificent start to a wonderful album.” Some say they were initially sceptical of McCartney’s more recent songwriting efforts, but were won over by As You Lie There.
The fan added: “I have to admit. I was sceptical he was still capable of writing a song that would stick with me, but As You Lie There has been on repeat for DAYS when I’m playing music. Absolutely love it.”
Another added: “Most of the post-Chaos and Creation in the Backyard work has been, in my opinion, just ok. There are highs, obviously, but for the most part, I look at it through the lens of a 70 to 80-year-old rock star who’s doing it at this point just to do it. As You Lie There is the exception. There is something really remarkable about what he produced. It feels alive. It feels modern.
“Somehow after all of these years, he’s still pulling rabbits out of hats. To me, it felt like a signal that the old master melodist and tastemaker is still in there somewhere.”
Separately, fans believe As You Lie There is unfortunately not going to make it into McCartney’s live set. The veteran performer is rumoured to be getting back on the road after being spotted at MPL in London. The last two occasions on which McCartney was spotted at MPL led to tour announcements shortly afterwards.
The Boys of Dungeon Lane has left listeners delighted, but some believe an unconfirmed tour from McCartney will not feature many songs from the recently released album. McCartney has made no official plans for touring, though it is rumoured that he will perform in South America or Europe before the end of the year.
A fan has since taken to the r/PaulMcCartney subreddit and asked: “Which The Boys of Dungeon Lane songs will get added to the live set? While listening over the weekend, I made a little list of which songs I think may or may not make the live set. Feel free to discuss. I don’t think it will be more than four or five, but I’d love to be wrong!”
The likely songs picked by the listener were Days We Left Behind, Ripples in a Pond, Come Inside, and Mountain Top. Three more songs were listed as “possibly” included on the potential future setlist. Those three songs are Momma Gets By, Down South, and Lost Horizon. But four songs are unlikely to appear, according to fans of McCartney.
The four songs unlikely to be added to future live shows are As You Lie There, Home to Us, We Two, and First Star of the Night. The listener cited the latter two songs as “too slow”, while Home to Us features Starr, who is unlikely to appear at all McCartney’s shows. As You Lie There, the album opener, was also written off. The fan wrote that it was “too ‘weird’/hard to sing, but would love to see it regardless!”
Other fans have since shared their hopes for which The Boys of Dungeon Lane songs appear in the setlist. One fan wrote: “Days We Left Behind just before (or after) Blackbird/Here Today. Come Inside replacing Come On to Me. Down South could replace Something for a George tribute, but I think it’s unlikely.”
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