As his first project following first wife Linda's death in 1998, McCartney felt the need to get back to his roots and perform some of the music he loved as a teenager.

[3] Asking Chris Thomas to help produce,[nb 1] McCartney booked time at Abbey Road Studios to undertake his quest.

[6] "No Other Baby" was written by Dickie Bishop and Bob Watson,[7] and was originally recorded in 1958 by skiffle group the Vipers[nb 2][8] and released as a single.

[6] Chuck Berry's composition "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" had been recorded by him and by Buddy Holly whose version McCartney liked.

"Honey Hush" had been first recorded by Joe Turner, though the liner notes state that McCartney was more familiar with the version by Johnny Burnette.

[5] Wanting to work with reliable and empathetic musicians, McCartney called up Pink Floyd's David Gilmour to play guitar.

A special limited edition of the album, sold only at Best Buy, featured a bonus interview disc.

A similar special limited edition of the album, sold only at Musicland and Sam Goody stores, featured a four-track E.P.

"No Other Baby" was released as a 7" vinyl single in the UK with two songs on the B-side, "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" and a non-album track "Fabulous".

The music video for "No Other Baby", which was filmed in black and white, highlights McCartney's grief after Linda's death.