Magneto And Titanium Man

Album: Venus and Mars (1975)
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Songfacts®:

  • Paul McCartney demonstrated that he's a fan of Marvel comics when he wrote this song. In particular, he references three supervillains: The Crimson Dynamo and Titanium Man are armor-wearing Russian or Soviet agents who are archenemies of Iron Man, while Magneto has been the X-Men's arch-nemesis since his (and their) first appearance. The storyline is that the three supervillains are claiming that the narrator's girlfriend, who is a police officer, is planning a bank robbery.
  • The Venus And Mars album was recorded at Allen Toussaint's studio in New Orleans. The album was trashed by some of the British music press - the NME called it "the product of a considerable talent in an advanced stage of decay" - but it still went to #1 in both the UK and US as there was great anticipation for the next Wings effort following Band on the Run. The lead single "Listen to What the Man Said" was a #1 hit in America, but the album did not live up to the lofty expectations bestowed on McCartney. After it was released, and uncredited quote by a Wings associate who probably wanted to keep his job, said "McCartney can make albums like Band On The Run anytime he wants to. Venus And Mars is what he's actually into, though. He likes writing songs for his kids."

Comments: 13

  • David Dixon from Florida The people who seem to think that Paul got his inspiration for writing the song from watching his son play cannot be correct even though it’s a nice idea. The song was written, recorded and released 2 years before he was born. Whatever it’s meaning (if any) or inspiration (if any), it’s one Paul’s most fun songs to sing because it really swings along so well - this song, 3 Legs and Monkberry Moon Delight are all fun to sing.
  • Ron from AtlantaI can hear a Randy Newman influence in the piano and spoken lyrics. A lot of musicians were influenced by Newman's style in the early 70s, including Nilsson and Peter Gabriel.
  • Jo 21 from Malaysiai think macca was the narrator. john george ringo were against linda bringing in a lawyer to save the beatles from being robbed by alan klein. she was proved right. she was on the right side of the law. thats why john george ringo are cast as villains. on the same album he ridiculed john in listen to what the man said. soldier boy kisses girl....john and yoko in army fatiques....so what did the man say ? ......the wonder of it all ?
  • Craig from Chicago, IlI have a different view of the meaning of this song. The characters aren't really based on the Marvel villains even through they have the same names--PM reportedly heard the names from his son who was playing with his toys, and made up a song with these characters as superheroes--the good guys, not the bad guys. The unnamed narrator's Babe is not a police officer but another superhero who has apparently gone bad. The narrator can't believe it at first, but eventually sees with his own eyes. But his love overwhelms him and he declares his ladyfriend in the right even though it means betraying the Code and his friends.

    PM could be writing about the Beatles' breakup, subconsciously or otherwise. As I see it, the narrator is John and the five-star criminal is Yoko. Paul and George are Magneto and Titanium Man, and Ringo, the Crimson Dynamo, is "along for the ride." The narrator hears from his friends that his love is a bad influence, but he deciedes to go with her and abandon his friends.

    Paul and John had written songs to/about each other before, but this could have been subconscious on Paul's part. If his son had four superheroes, that could be enough to trigger an association with the Fab Four. Then the story of a mad love overcoming reason and causing a good guy to go bad makes perfect sense.
  • Olivia from Philadelphia, PaThis song is so funny and I listen to it so much that I learned all the lyrics in an hour. Because I love it so much!
  • George from Belleville, NjThis song has a very catchy melody.Paul is great at writing melodies that are listenable and easy to sing to.Another cool pop song.I remember when I first bought this album and played it on the record player.Remember those days? Good memories.
  • Jp from New City, NyEr, ah, Jo in So. TX? Paul's son James was born in 1977, and Magneto & TM was recorded in 1975.

    But it's a nice yarn ya spinned.
  • Magneto from Gotham, CaI've loved this song since the first day it came out when I was a wee lad. Thanks Paul...I miss Linda. And this album always takes me back to those days.
  • Jim from Pueblo, CoThe Pontiac Brothers (Ward Dotson of Gun Club fame) did a very cool version - find it if you can.
  • Jo from So Tx, TxPaul was spending some time with his son James. James was playing with his toys and explained to Paul the special powers of his favorite superheroes. It doesn't take much to spark Paul's
    super imagination and super iconic wordsmith skills into action. Paul is very close to all his children.
  • Ammar from Baghdad, IraqGreat song but underrated
    Wings at their peak...
    Music and Harmony are so beautiful in this song
  • Steve from Fenton, MoI agree. This is a great song that should get more radio play.
  • Ashlee from Jacksonville, FlAmazing song, I love it!
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