Bip Bop

Album: Wild Life (1971)
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Songfacts®:

  • This throw-away blues-lite tune is one of the most criticized songs in McCartney's CV. The former Beatle admitted in an interview with the October 2010 edition of Mojo magazine that even he sometimes cringes when he listens to it. Said McCartney: "I think when you allow yourself to be kind of playful, the month after or the year after, you can just think, 'Oh, maybe that was a bit too playful. Maybe I should've thought a bit more about that.' And I was having that kind of feeling about 'Bip Bop.' It's a little bit insignificant, it doesn't really tax my lyric skills or my melodic skills.

    But I think what has happened in rock 'n' roll has become so esteemed. I mean, people study the s--- in university! Well, when we started nobody did and a record like Link Wray's 'Rumble' didn't have to have any significance other than it was just a red-hot record. And so 'Bip Bop' was done in that vein where it was like, 'It doesn't have to be significant, it's just a bip and a bop. A little nonsense song.'"
  • Paul McCartney cited this track when he was asked by Q magazine what the worst song is that he's ever written. "The lyrics are f--king awful," he said. "'Bip bop, bip bip bop, Bop bop, bip bip band, Dig your bottom dollar, put it in your hand...'"

    "But (producer), Trevor Horn told me, 'That's one of my favorites,'" McCartney added. "I can't hate it that much, cannot I? There must have been a reason I'd like to it in the first place."
  • Paul and Linda McCartney recorded a bluegrass version in the garden of their Scotland home in the spring of 1971. Their daughter Mary, not quite 2 years old, can be heard giggling in the background. This version was included on the 2001 compilation Wingspan: Hits and History.

Comments: 3

  • Williamnhill from MississippiI have always thought of this song as one for children. I love it and the video of Paul's son running around and the sheer playfulness of the video shows just how normal a genius like Paul McCartney really is. Blues-lite?? Sure, but you have to admit, it is a catchy little tune... and my grandsons love it!!
  • Marie from CaliforniaI love this song to pieces, honestly. I hope Paul actually does, too, and he's just saying uncle for the press when he puts it down. That jaunty guitar, Linda's hilarious "there you go" bit, what I suspect is one of his daughters humming along, his giggling at the end. It's just delightful.
  • Giordano from ItalyI've always found this song a little jewel. it's a little joyful mantra, and a lot of times, returning from job, I sang in duet with Paul this pretty little Song. I completely agree with Mr. Horn!
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