When Paul McCartney released “Coming Up” in 1980, he was stepping into a new decade, a new era, and a new version of himself. The 1970s had been a whirlwind — the end of the Beatles, the birth and rise of Wings, critical highs and lows, and the constant pressure of living with a legacy too vast for any one artist to escape. But with “Coming Up,” Paul didn’t try to outrun that legacy. He simply chose joy. The song became a turning point — a burst of creative energy that reminded the world that Paul was still capable of surprising them, still capable of reinventing himself, and still capable of writing music that lifted the spirit the moment the first note played.
From the opening seconds, “Coming Up” announces itself with brightness. The rhythm is tight and playful, driven by drum machines, a buoyant bassline, and the unmistakable McCartney sense of fun. His vocals come filtered, slightly sped, almost cartoonish — an artistic choice that gives the track a modern, experimental edge. Yet behind the playfulness is something deeper: a sense of renewal, of letting go, of stepping into the light after a period of creative uncertainty.
The verses move with breezy confidence. Paul sings with a smile you can hear — a smile grounded not in nostalgia, but in possibility.
“You want a love to last forever…”
“Coming up — like a flower…”
These lines fold together positivity, tenderness, and quiet determination. The song becomes not just a statement of optimism, but a celebration of growth — of rising again, like something blooming after winter.
The emotional heart of the track pulses in the repeated refrain:
💬 “Coming up, like a flower…”
It is simple, but not simplistic. Flowers rise slowly. They open despite weather, despite storms, despite everything that might push them down. Paul uses that image to reflect his own artistic rebirth — a sign that he is still evolving, still blooming, still reaching.
Musically, “Coming Up” is one of McCartney’s most inventive productions.
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Nearly all the instruments are played by Paul himself.
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Layers of guitars, keys, horns, and harmonies build a vibrant, kinetic atmosphere.
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The arrangement feels both spontaneous and sharply crafted.
This is the sound of an artist enjoying the studio — experimenting, exploring, and rediscovering the joy of creation.
The song’s impact was immediate. When Paul performed “Coming Up” live in Glasgow, the crowd’s ecstatic reaction caught the attention of listeners everywhere —John Lennon, who later said the live version helped inspire him to return to the studio. In this way, the track carries an unexpected legacy: it became part of the spark that led to John’s late-period creative reawakening.
Today, “Coming Up” feels as fresh as ever. It captures something essential about McCartney — his ability to find light, playfulness, and hope even after years of pressure, transition, and change. When he sings it now, older and wiser, the optimism in the melody carries deeper roots.
Ultimately, “Coming Up” is more than a hit single.
It is a song about renewal.
About rising again.
About choosing joy after a long season of uncertainty.
A reminder that no matter how many times life shifts beneath your feet,
your spirit — like a flower — can still come up shining.