4 Collaborations With Paul McCartney Throughout His Legendary Seven-Decade Career

Paul McCartney has had a prolific career, dating all the way back to 1957. His most recent 2026 release, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, marked his twentieth studio release. In 2027, his career hits the 70-year mark. Throughout his 70-year career, McCartney has collaborated with many artists, including some of the biggest artists in the world. It further solidifies McCartney’s brilliance as a songwriter and his versatility as a musician. Here are 4 collaborations from McCartney’s seven-decade career.

Michael Jackson

In 1982, Paul McCartney was featured on the track “The Girl Is Mine” from Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. Though this was the first release by the duo, it wasn’t their first recording together. A year before, the two recorded “Say Say Say” for McCartney’s upcoming 1983 album, Pipes Of Peace. “The Girl Is Mine” was released on October 18, 1982. It reached No. 1 on the US R&B Singles chart and the US Adult Contemporary chart. The track peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Say Say Say” was released on October 3, 1983, and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it reached No. 1 on the US Cash Box Top 100.

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney had a close friendship at the time, which would be soiled just years later. The two had a dispute over the rights to The Beatles’ catalog after Jackson outbid McCartney in 1985.

Stevie Wonder

In the 1970s, Paul McCartney became a big fan of Stevie Wonder. This led to a duet in 1982 on the track “Ebony And Ivory.” The song was about racial harmony and reached No. 1 on the Hot 100. McCartney got the idea to write the song from comedian Spike Mulligan. Mulligan had said, “Black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony, folks!” The duet was released on Paul McCartney’s Tug Of War in 1982. This wasn’t the only collaboration with Wonder on the album. The track “What’s That You’re Doing?” is a jam session between McCartney and Wonder.

Elvis Costello

Released in 1989, Paul McCartney’s Flowers In The Dirt features multiple songs co-written by Elvis Costello. The two sang the demo version of “My Brave Face,” which was later released in 2017. The album version of “My Brave Face” was a hit, peaking at No. 4 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Costello can be heard on “You Want Her Too,” the album’s third track. Flowers In The Dirt went to No. 1 in the UK in 1989. It marked McCartney’s return to touring for the first time since the Wings Over The World tour in 1976. That same year, McCartney co-wrote and played his iconic Hofner bass on Elvis Costello’s “Veronica.” It hit No. 1 on the US Alternative Airplay chart, and peaked at No. 10 on the US Album Rock Tracks chart.

Nirvana

In 2012, McCartney joined former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear to record a song for the Sound City documentary. The film covered the history of the iconic LA music studio and was directed by Dave Grohl. They wrote and recorded the song “Cut Me Some Slack” spontaneously for the film. Under the moniker “Sirvana,” they debuted the new song at the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden. Following this, the group performed the song on Saturday Night Live on December 15, 2012. In 2014, the group won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Additionally, Paul McCartney collaborated with Dave Grohl once again in 2017. He contributed drums to the Foo Fighters’ “Sunday Rain” from their Concrete And Gold album.