"My Valentine" is a song written and performed by English musician Paul McCartney. It appears on his fifteenth solo studio album Kisses on the Bottom (2012), and was released as the record's lead single on 20 December 2011. One of only two original compositions on the album, "My Valentine" was written as a love song for McCartney's wife, Nancy Shevell.[1] The song features Eric Clapton on acoustic guitar.[2]
| "My Valentine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Paul McCartney | ||||
| from the album Kisses on the Bottom | ||||
| Released | 20 December 2011 | |||
| Length | 3:14 | |||
| Label | Hear Music | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
| Producer(s) | Tommy LiPuma | |||
| Paul McCartney singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"My Valentine" earned positive reviews from critics, with multiple publications feeling it held its own against the covers on Kisses on the Bottom. A music video was created for the song, directed by McCartney and starring Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp.[3]
Reception
editUpon release, "My Valentine" charted in multiple countries throughout mainland Europe. The song reached number 38 in Belgium,[4] while in the Netherlands, it peaked at number 93.[5] In the US, it reached number 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[6]
"My Valentine" has received positive reviews from critics. Rolling Stone Australia ranked it as the 71st best solo track by a member of the Beatles, calling it "an artistic statement of purpose" and likening it to "Tower of Song" by Leonard Cohen.[7] American Songwriter considered it on par with the standards covered on Kisses on the Bottom, stating it "couldn't be any more beautiful in its simplicity", as well as arguing it "may overall be McCartney's greatest love song".[1] In a review of the album for Rolling Stone, Will Hermes echoed this sentiment, stating the song "holds its own" against the covers on the album, likening the track to Nat King Cole's rendition of "My Funny Valentine".[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Moore, Rick (20 September 2018). "Paul McCartney, "My Valentine"". American Songwriter. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b Hermes, Will (7 February 2012). "Kisses on the Bottom". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Miller, Julie (14 April 2012). "Paul McCartney on Directing Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman in His "My Valentine" Music Video". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Paul McCartney – My Valentine". Ultratop. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Paul McCartney – My Valentine". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Paul McCartney Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (7 March 2024). "The 100 Best Beatles Solo Songs". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2024.