Chaos and Creation in the Backyard

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the thirteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, released in the UK on 12 October 2005 and in the US on 13 October.[1] A long time in the making, the set was produced by Radiohead and Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich at George Martin's suggestion.

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
Cover photo by Mike McCartney
Studio album by Paul McCartney
Released	12 September 2005 (2005-09-12)
Recorded	September 2003 – April 2005
Studio	RAK and AIR, London; Ocean Way, Los Angeles
Genre	Rock
Length	46:53
Label	Parlophone (UK) Capitol (US) Capitol Records/Universal Music Enterprises (2018 reissue)
Producer	Nigel Godrich
Paul McCartney chronology
Twin Freaks (2005) Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005) Never Stop Doing What You Love (2005)
Paul McCartney studio album chronology
Driving Rain (2001) Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005) Ecce Cor Meum (2006)
Singles from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
"Fine Line" Released: 29 August 2005 "Jenny Wren" Released: 21 November 2005 "This Never Happened Before" Released: 2006 (promo only)
Alternative cover
Special Edition paper sleeve (CD with DVD). It features an ambigram of McCartney's name

McCartney plays almost all of the instruments, similar to his 1970 album McCartney and the 1980 McCartney II album. In addition, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard marks the first time since 1984's Give My Regards to Broad Street that McCartney was not involved in producing one of his studio albums.

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard was McCartney's last rock album release for longtime label EMI. He signed a deal with Hear Music, owned by Starbucks, in March 2007.[2] He later returned to his old label Capitol Records in 2016.

Music and lyrics

McCartney said that the song "Friends to Go" is influenced by, and dedicated to, George Harrison.

Production

Upon being asked to produce an album with McCartney, Godrich admitted:

"My initial reaction was one of terror, not only because it's a very important person, but I really wasn't sure how willing he would be to get his hands dirty."[3]

The two tentatively began a collaboration, recording the songs "This Never Happened Before" and "Follow Me" which was enough to convince both of them that they could develop an album. Godrich's participation was active: he inspired McCartney to write the song "At the Mercy", added piano loops on "How Kind of You" and worked with McCartney to slow the tempo of "Riding to Vanity Fair" which McCartney says "changed the mood completely".[4] Although initially taken aback, McCartney appreciated Godrich's tenacity and honesty.

According to McCartney, Godrich was at times blunt in his appraisal of McCartney's songs-in-progress during the making of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard:

"Nigel... refused to allow me to sing songs that he didn't like, which was very cheeky of him."[4]

Recording

Recording sessions for the album were done over a long period of time, with many pauses. First sessions were held at RAK Studios, London in September 2003 by McCartney and his band. After a few takes, Godrich said to McCartney he wanted to work with him alone, not involving the band. After some months' break, sessions resumed at Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles in April 2004, with more sessions in September. Final recordings took place at AIR Studios, London in April 2005.[5]

Artwork

The cover for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is from a photograph of McCartney strumming a guitar in his family's back yard in Liverpool, taken by brother Mike McCartney (aka Mike McGear) and originally entitled Paul Under Washing, before being retitled Our Kid Through Mum's Net Curtains.

Release

The first single, the upbeat "Fine Line", was released in late August 2005, ahead of the release of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, and reached No. 20 in the UK. A second single, "Jenny Wren", reached No. 22 in the UK that November.

The 'US' Tour in 2005 helped to promote the album in the US and Canada.

There was also a promotional concert for the album held at Abbey Road Studios, called Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road.

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	78/100[6]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Entertainment Weekly	B[8]
The Guardian	[9]
Los Angeles Times	[10]
Mojo	[11]
NME	6/10[12]
Q	[13]
Rolling Stone	[14]
Uncut	[15]
USA Today	[16]

At Metacritic, the album holds an average Metascore of 78 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, which indicates a generally favourable reception.[6] Advance reviews for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard suggested that after delivering Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run, Driving Rain and this album – all in uninterrupted succession – McCartney was in a late-career creative peak. Many critics and longtime listeners also considered that the album was unusually reflective and intimate-sounding for McCartney. The sudden shift in direction was generally considered an unexpected and welcome surprise, and resulted in four Grammy nominations for the album, including the nomination for Album of the Year.

Reviewing for the BBC, Daryl Easlea described Chaos and Creation as "Very, very good", and added: "'Riding To Vanity Fair', 'Too Much Rain', 'Anyway' and 'How Kind Of You' are full of subtle nuances, killer hooks and sweet surprises. They really do rank among his very best work."[17] In The New York Times, Jon Pareles wrote that McCartney's return to a multi-instrumentalist role "makes the songs more intimate and less conventional", while remarking of the project: "Sir Paul chose a producer who favored the experimental side: Nigel Godrich … Sir Paul also lined up his best backup band since the Beatles: himself."[18]

In the US, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard debuted at the No. 6 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 91,545 copies. It stayed on chart for a total of 21 weeks, selling over 530,000 copies up to 2007.[19] However, the album underperformed in the UK, peaking at the No. 10 and spending only three weeks inside the top 200, with cumulative sales of around 45,000 units.[20] It fared better in France, selling in excess of 100,000 copies during a 21-week chart run.[21] According to the annual report published by EMI, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard had sold 1.3 million copies worldwide by the end of March 2006.[22]

Track listing

All songs written by Paul McCartney.

1. "Fine Line" – 3:05
2. "How Kind of You" – 4:47
3. "Jenny Wren" – 3:47
4. "At the Mercy" – 2:38
5. "Friends to Go" – 2:43
6. "English Tea" – 2:12
7. "Too Much Rain" – 3:24
8. "A Certain Softness" – 2:42
9. "Riding to Vanity Fair" – 5:07
10. "Follow Me" – 2:31
11. "Promise to You Girl" – 3:10
12. "This Never Happened Before" – 3:24
13. "Anyway" – 7:22
    • "Anyway" contains a hidden track, "I've Only Got Two Hands", at 4:10 after a 20-second break.

Additional songs

In addition to the above tracks, the Japanese release of the CD included the song "She Is So Beautiful". The song was also offered as a free download in Windows Media Audio format to US customers who purchased the CD at Target stores. Other bonus downloadable songs were made available to people who bought the CD at certain other stores, such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Also, "Fine Line" and "Jenny Wren" appeared on singles with their running time shortened.

There are six songs which were recorded during the sessions for Chaos, not included on the album but released as B-sides and on imports:

Title	Length	Notes
"Comfort of Love"	3:12	Available on "Fine Line" CD single
"Growing Up Falling Down"	3:27
"Summer of '59"	2:11	Available on vinyl edition of a single "Jenny Wren"
"This Loving Game"	3:15	Available on "Jenny Wren" CD single
"I Want You to Fly"	5:03
"She Is So Beautiful"	3:01	Available on Japanese pressing of the album
"Jenny Wren" (Live from Abbey Road)		Exclusive download from Paulmccartney.com

Special Edition DVD

[23]

Contents
"Between Chaos And Creation" – Documentary (30 mins) "Fine Line" – Studio Performance Video (4 mins) "Line Art" – 12 Minute Animated Film – drawings by the artist Brian Clarke. Animation by Momoco. (Includes 3 instrumental tracks: "Riding To Vanity Fair", "At the Mercy" and "Anyway"). "How Kind of You" – DVD Menu (5 mins)

Production credits
Executive Producer: Paul McCartney Director & Editor: Simon Hilton Producer: James Chads Production Company: Maguffin DVD Mastering: Abbey Road Interactive

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[24]

Musicians Paul McCartney – piano, electric piano, Baldwin spinet, bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, drums, drum machine, violin, maracas, tambourine, vocals, flugelhorn, güiro, acoustic guitar loops, cello, vibrachimes, B3 organ, tambourine on snare, melodica, recorders, tubular bells, 12 string guitar, autoharp, harmonium, gong, triangle, toy glockenspiel, percussion, woodblock, moog synthesizer Millennia Ensemble – strings, brass instrument Joby Talbot – string arrangement, conducting, brass arrangement Nigel Godrich – piano and Epiphone acoustic guitar loops Pedro Eustache – duduk Jason Falkner – electric guitar, classical guitar James Gadson – drums Joey Waronker – bass drum, bongos, shaker

The Los Angeles Music Players – strings David Campbell – string arrangement Rusty Anderson – acoustic guitar Brian Ray – acoustic guitar Abe Laboriel Jr. – percussion, block, tambourine Production Nigel Godrich – producer Dan Grech-Marguerat – production assistant Darrell Thorp – engineer Alan Yoshida – mastering Mike McCartney – cover Brian Clarke – inlay Bill Bernstein – back cover Paul McCartney, Stylorouge London – art direction

Session information

Personnel per booklet.[24] And this site.[25]

Fine Line

• Recorded – Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Baldwin Spinet, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Shakers, Tambourine
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

How Kind of You

• Recorded – Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Höfner Bass Guitar, Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Flugelhorn, Shaker, Guerrero, Ludwig Drums, Piano and Epiphone Acoustic Guitar Loops
• Nigel Godrich – Piano and Epiphone Acoustic Guitar Loops

Jenny Wren

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., October 2004
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Epiphone Texan Acoustic Guitar, Ludwig Floor Tom
• Pedro Eustache – Duduk

At the Mercy

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Spring, 2004, Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005 (Strings)
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Steinway Grand Piano, Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar, Höfner Bass Guitar, Cello, Mass Vibrachimes, Tambourine, B3 Organ
• Jason Falkner – Electric Guitar
• James Gadson – Drums
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings, Brass
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

Friends to Go

• Recorded – Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Tambourine on Snare, Flugelhorn, Höfner Melodica, Shakers

English Tea

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005 (Strings)
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Höfner Bass Guitar, Ludwig Bass Drum, Recorders, Tubular Bells
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings, Brass
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

Too Much Rain

• Recorded – Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Martin 12-String Guitar, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Schmidt Autoharp, Ludwig Drums, Maracas

A Certain Softness

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Spring, 2004
• Paul McCartney – Vocal, Petersen Classical Guitar, Höfner Bass Guitar, Crown Upright Piano, Harmonium, Paiste Gong, Cymbal, Triangle
• Jason Falkner – Classical Guitar
• Joey Waronker – Bass Drum, Bongo Drums, Shaker

Riding to Vanity Fair

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Spring, 2004, and Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Toy Glockenspiel, Wurlitzer Electric Piano
• Los Angeles Music Players – Strings
• David Campbell – Arrangement
• James Gadson – Drums

Follow Me

• Recorded – RAK Studios, London, November 2003
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Epiphone Texan Acoustic Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Percussion, Block, Tambourine
• Rusty Anderson – Acoustic Guitar
• Brian Ray – Acoustic Guitar
• Abe Laboriel Jnr – Percussion, Block, Tambourine
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

Promise to You Girl

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Late 2004 – April 2005
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Crown Upright Piano, Steinway Grand Piano, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Moog Synthesizer, Tambourine, Triangle, Shaker

This Never Happened Before

• Recorded – RAK Studios, London, November 2003
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Yamaha Grand Piano, Höfner Bass Guitar, Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Drum Machine
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings, Brass
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

Anyway

• Recorded – Ocean Way Recording, L.A., Air Studios, London, Late 2004 – April 2005 (Strings)
• Paul McCartney – Vocals, Steinway Grand Piano, Höfner Bass Guitar, Gibson L5 Electric Guitar, Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar, Ludwig Drums, Moog Synthesizer, Harmonium
• Millennia Ensemble – Strings, Brass
• Joby Talbot – Conducting, Arrangement

Accolades

Grammy Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2006 [26]	Chaos and Creation in the Backyard	Album of the Year	Nominated
		Best Pop Vocal Album	Nominated
	"Fine Line"	Best Male Pop Vocal Performance	Nominated
	Nigel Godrich	Non-Classical Producer of the Year	Nominated
2007 [27]	"Jenny Wren"	Best Male Pop Vocal Performance	Nominated

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2005/06) Position Australian ARIA Albums Chart[28] 33 Austrian Albums Chart[29] 13 Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[30] 15 Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[31] 10 Canadian Albums Chart[32] 6 Danish Albums Chart[33] 5 Dutch Mega Albums Top 100[34] 8 Finnish Albums Chart[35] 20 French SNEP Albums Chart[36] 3 German Media Control Albums Chart[37] 4 Italian Albums Chart[38] 3 Japanese Oricon Weekly Albums Chart[39] 19 Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart[40] 8 Spanish Albums Chart[41] 9 Swedish Albums Chart[42] 3 Swiss Albums Chart[43] 9 UK Albums Chart[44] 10 United States Billboard 200[32] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2005) Position Italian Albums Chart[45] 129 Certifications and sales Region Certification Certified units/sales Canada (Music Canada)[46] Gold 50,000^^ France (SNEP)[47] Gold 108,900[21] Japan (ORICON) — 139,000[48] Russia (NFPF)[49] Gold 10,000^* United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Gold 100,000^^ United States (RIAA)[51] Gold 547,000[52] Summaries Worldwide (IFPI) — 1,300,000[22] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Lundy, Zeth (6 October 2005). "Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard – PopMatters Music Review". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
2. "Starbucks record label signs Paul McCartney". 21 March 2007.
3. Simon Hilton (Director) (2005). Between Chaos and Creation (DVD). London: MPL Communications Ltd.
4. Hilton 2005
5. Luca Perasi, Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013), L.I.L.Y. Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-88-909122-1-4, pp.366-391.
6. "Reviews for Chaos And Creation In The Backyard by Paul McCartney". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
7. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard – Paul McCartney". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
8. Sinclair, Tom (12 September 2005). "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
9. Petridis, Alexis (9 September 2005). "Paul McCartney, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
10. Hochman, Steve (4 September 2005). "More intimate, but still cautious". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
11. "Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Mojo (143): 98. October 2005.
12. Marshall, Julian (19 September 2005). "Paul McCartney: Chaos And Creation In The Backyard". NME. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
13. "Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Q (231): 120. October 2005.
14. DeCurtis, Anthony (22 September 2005). "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
15. "Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Uncut (101): 94. October 2005.
16. Gundersen, Edna (12 September 2005). "'Chaos': Pop without the cute". USA Today. McLean. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
17. Easlea, Daryl (20 November 2005). "Review of Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard". BBC. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
18. Pareles, Jon (12 September 2005). "McCartney Gets Back, but Not for Nostalgia". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
19. "Paul McCartney's new album "Memory Almost Full" will be released June 5 in North America". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2007.
20. "Madonna stays at the summit of the UK charts". musicweek.com. Retrieved 28 November 2005.
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25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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27. "THE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS 2006 nominees". Los Angeles Times. 8 December 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
28. "australian-charts.com Paul McCartney – Chaos And Creation in the Backyard". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
29. "Paul McCartney – Chaos And Creation in the Backyard – austriancharts.at". Retrieved 23 September 2011.
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39. ポール・マッカートニー-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック "Highest position and charting weeks of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard by Paul McCartney" Check |url= value (help) (in Japanese). oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
40. "norwegiancharts.com Paul McCartney – Chaos And Creation in the Backyard". Retrieved 23 September 2011.
41. "spanishcharts.com – Paul McCartney – Chaos And Creation in the Backyard". Retrieved 23 September 2011.
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45. "Hit Parade Italia – Gli album più venduti del 2005" (in Italian). hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
46. "Canadian album certifications – Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard". Music Canada.
47. "French album certifications – Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
48. "– Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) – Albums Chart Daijiten – The Beatles" (in Japanese). 30 December 2007. Archived from a-ビートルズ the original Check |url= value (help) on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
49. "Russian album certifications – Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF).
50. "British album certifications – Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Chaos and Creation in the Backyard in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
51. "American album certifications – Paul McCartney – Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
52. "Kisses From A Battle". Billboard. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2018.

External links

• Chaos and Creation in the Backyard at Graham Calkin's Beatles Pages.
• Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005): Reviews at Metacritic.