To commemorate Paul McCartney’s 80th birthday, an eclectic group of 80 artists selected a selection of their all-time favourite songs from his extensive discography. It was a heartfelt tribute to the renowned Scouser himself. This modest tribute perfectly captures the sound and essence of a real legend, as well as his involvement in the musical revolution and his enduring effect both outside of The Beatles. What, though, did Ben Gibbard choose?

It’s truly a “Hard Day’s Night” to choose just one favourite song, but for Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, the solution seems to have been simmering under the surface for a while. He goes towards the upbeat “Here, There, and Everywhere,” even if timeless tunes like “I Am The Walrus” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand” come to mind.

In an interview with Stereogum from 2022, he disclosed that he really connects with this song. “That song really retains a lot of sentimental meaning,” he said, admitting that “you could choose cooler music or hallucinogenic stuff.” Gibbard went on to talk about how he was 10 or 11 years old when he heard the song for the first time. He remembered how his dad used to play this “Beatles fake book” for his mother on a nylon string guitar as a “torch song of sorts,” believing the “melody was wonderful.”

Startled by the indie-rocker’s abrupt penchant for sentimentality, he continues by explaining how McCartney’s “special seriousness” came to the fore during the band’s Rubber Soul and Revolutionary periods and started to satisfy Gibbard’s longing for nostalgia. John remarked of Paul’s newfound artistic direction, “It’s a turn-off for some people, and at times it’s a turn-off for me, but his strike rate is higher than pretty much anyone ever.” Paul also had a tendency to go in some extremely heavy Anglo directions.

Gibbard cleverly draws attention to how little the world has understood about McCartney’s poetic brilliance, seeing a wealth of enchanted moments hidden beneath the surface of every memorable bass line. “They’re incredibly brilliant, but they’re usually pretty simple ideas and lyrics,” he says, illuminating the complexity hidden beneath the simplicity.

He analyses the intense energy of McCartney’s performance in the chorus of “Let Me Roll It,” saying, “The way he holds back that ‘to you’ aspect is absolutely fucking wonderful.” The thing that really makes McCartney unique is this subtle skill.

Gibbard considers the fact that even the greatest musicians have times when everything doesn’t go as planned, giving an homage to the late great Neil Young. He highlights the impact of “one song that has changed someone’s life or threaded its way into the public consciousness” as a noteworthy accomplishment in and of itself, saying, “Yet, you’re going to have moments of transcendence.” However, for an icon like McCartney, it goes beyond that one song.

It’s incredible to have a body of work that keeps expanding and adding to this indispensable playlist, says Gibbard. He is among the best of all time.