Which 1997 Paul McCartney album takes its title from a John Lennon joke?

The 1997 Paul McCartney album titled after a John Lennon joke is Flaming Pie.

Flaming Pie was McCartney’s twelfth solo studio album, released on 5 May 1997. Its title refers to a humorous story Lennon told in 1961 about the Beatles’ origins. In the tale, a man appeared to the musicians on a flaming pie and declared that, from then on, they were “Beatles with an A.” McCartney reused that memorable image for both the album title and one of its songs.

The album’s Beatles connection was especially appropriate because McCartney had recently worked on the Beatles Anthology project with George Harrison and Ringo Starr. That experience encouraged him to revisit the songwriting standards and collaborative spirit associated with his former band. Jeff Lynne co-produced much of the album, while George Martin produced other tracks; McCartney’s son James also contributed guitar.

Flaming Pie was well received and reached No. 2 in both the UK and US album charts. The other options point to different phases of McCartney’s career: Off the Ground was released in 1993, Run Devil Run in 1999, and Driving Rain in 2001.