When Paul McCartney announced he was releasing an album called Kisses on the Bottom back in 2012, the internet did exactly what you’d expect. People lost it. Headlines went wild, fans were confused, and more than a few eyebrows were raised at the thought of the world's most famous bassist getting, well, suggestive.
Honestly? It was mostly just Paul being Paul.
He’s always had that Liverpool wit. That little wink in his eye. But if you’re looking for a scandal, you’re going to be disappointed. The title isn't about anatomy. It’s about stationery. Specifically, it’s about the "XOXO" marks at the end of a handwritten letter.
Where did Paul McCartney Kisses on the Bottom come from?
The phrase actually comes from the very first track on the record, a cover of the 1935 hit "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter." Originally made famous by Fats Waller, the lyrics describe a person sending themselves mail just to feel less lonely.
The line goes: "A lot of kisses on the bottom, I'll be glad I got 'em."
Back in the day, that just meant the bottom of the page. You write the letter, you sign your name, and you cram as many kisses (the "X" marks) as you can fit at the very end. Simple. Innocent. Kinda sweet.
McCartney knew exactly what he was doing when he picked it, though. He admitted in several interviews, including one with The Guardian, that he had some "mischief" in mind. He liked the double entendre. He knew it would get people talking about a jazz standards album that might have otherwise flown under the radar of the younger crowd.
Why this album was a huge risk
For a guy who helped invent modern rock and roll, going "crooner" was a choice.
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Most people expected Run Devil Run part two—loud, sweaty, 1950s rock. Instead, they got Diana Krall on piano and Eric Clapton playing acoustic guitar. It’s a very quiet record. It’s the kind of music you’d hear in a smoky club in 1940, not at a stadium show with pyrotechnics.
Paul was nearly 70 when it came out. His voice had changed. It wasn't the "Helter Skelter" scream anymore; it was a softer, slightly grainier texture. This record embraced that. He wasn't trying to sound like a 20-year-old Beatle. He was trying to sound like his father, Jim McCartney, who used to play these exact songs on the piano in their Liverpool home.
The Tracklist: More than just covers
While most of the album is dedicated to the Great American Songbook, there were two original songs tucked in there:
- "My Valentine" – A lush, romantic ballad Paul wrote for his wife, Nancy Shevell. Eric Clapton’s guitar work on this is incredible.
- "Only Our Hearts" – This one featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
It wasn't just a "nostalgia trip." It was an attempt to prove that the "old" way of songwriting—focusing on melody and sophisticated chord structures—still had a place in the 21st century.
The public reaction and the "Cheeky" legacy
The marketing team was apparently terrified.
Reports from the time suggest there were "nervous people" on his team when the title was first suggested. They thought it would be too controversial or, worse, just plain silly. But Paul stuck to his guns. He’s a guy who has survived decades of being scrutinized; a little joke about "kisses on the bottom" wasn't going to break him.
The album actually did quite well. It won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2013. Critics who initially mocked the title ended up praising the intimacy of the recordings. It felt like you were sitting in the room with him. No autotune. No over-production. Just a man and a jazz band.
Why it still matters today
Looking back, Kisses on the Bottom was a turning point for McCartney’s late-career "elder statesman" vibe. It allowed him to stop competing with the Top 40 and just make music that felt good to him.
It’s also a reminder of a lost era. In 2026, we barely write emails, let alone letters with "kisses on the bottom." The album serves as a time capsule for a specific kind of romantic communication.
If you're diving back into this era of Sir Paul's career, here are a few things you should do to get the full experience:
- Listen to the original Fats Waller version of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" to hear where the phrasing originated.
- Watch the "Live from Capitol Studios" performance. It was filmed specifically for the album's release and shows the chemistry between Paul and Diana Krall’s band.
- Check out the "My Valentine" music video. It stars Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp using sign language to translate the lyrics. It’s visually stunning and captures the mood of the album perfectly.
Don't let the title fool you—this is probably the most sophisticated and gentle work Paul McCartney has ever put his name on.
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Next Steps for Fans:
If you enjoyed the jazzy side of McCartney, you should definitely check out his 2020 album, McCartney III, specifically the track "The Kiss of Venus." While it’s more acoustic-folk than jazz-standard, it carries that same intimate, "from the heart" energy that made the 2012 record so special. You can also explore the Complete Kisses deluxe edition, which includes a rare cover of "The Christmas Song" for those who want that warm, fireside vocal style.