Chaos and Creation in the Backyard cover art

  Studio Album · No. 18

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard Songwriting Credits by Paul McCartney

2005 Parlophone 12 tracks 47 min

Produced by Nigel Godrich

Parlophone Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Paul McCartney carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Paul McCartney 0 tracksoutside writers
Paul McCartney's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
1.3 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2005
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Grammy nomination for Album of the Year (2006)
Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album (2006)
Data Insight

Paul McCartney wrote every song on Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, and he played the great majority of the instruments himself across the fourteen tracks. Producer Nigel Godrich pushed McCartney to perform most parts personally rather than rely on his touring band. The result is one of his most self-contained solo records in terms of both authorship and performance.

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the nineteenth studio album by Paul McCartney, released in September 2005 and produced by Nigel Godrich. It received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. McCartney played most of the instruments himself.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Fine Line #20
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
2
How Kind of You
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
3
Jenny Wren #22
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
4
At the Mercy
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
5
Friends to Go
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
6
English Tea
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
7
Too Much Rain
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
8
A Certain Softness
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
9
Riding to Jaipur
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
10
Promise to You Girl
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
11
This Never Happened Before
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)
12
Anyway
James Paul McCartney James Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich Paul McCartney (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

More from Paul McCartney

Frequently Asked Questions Chaos and Creation in the Backyard

Who produced Paul McCartney's Chaos and Creation in the Backyard?
The album was produced by Nigel Godrich, known for his work with Radiohead and Beck. Godrich encouraged McCartney to play most of the instruments himself instead of using his band.
Did Paul McCartney write all the songs on Chaos and Creation in the Backyard?
Yes. Every composition on the album was written by Paul McCartney. The track listing credits him as sole writer on all songs.
What were the singles from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard?
The main singles were Fine Line and Jenny Wren. Fine Line reached number 20 and Jenny Wren reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.
How did Fine Line by Paul McCartney perform on the charts?
Fine Line was the lead single, released in August 2005. It peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.
Did Chaos and Creation in the Backyard receive any Grammy nominations?
Yes. The album was nominated for several Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. It marked a strong critical return for McCartney in the mid-2000s.
Did Paul McCartney play the instruments on Chaos and Creation in the Backyard?
Yes. McCartney performed the majority of the instruments himself. Producer Nigel Godrich specifically encouraged him to play most parts rather than rely on session players or his band.

Sources