Paul McCartney

Ten songs specially chosen by Paul McCartney that have soundtracked his remarkable life, including Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Human League, Prince, John Lennon and more.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Vernon Kay, Paul recalls his extraordinary life and career, reflects on his childhood, recalls his earliest musical memories, and discusses the artists and influences that first shaped his love of music

Through his choices, there are stories about The Beatles’ relationship with The Rolling Stones and The Kinks as well as recollections of meetings with Elvis Presley, Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan.

Born in Liverpool in 1942, Paul began playing music at an early age, teaching himself Spanish guitar, trumpet and piano and writing the song When I’m Sixty-Four by the age of 16. In 1957, he met John Lennon and was invited to join John’s band The Quarrymen, who by 1960 had become The Beatles. They became one of the most influential bands of the time and Paul wrote a huge number of their songs including Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let It Be and Yesterday to name just a few. After releasing twelve studio albums they disbanded in 1970 and Paul began a solo career with the self-titled album McCartney that year. He has continued recording music and touring ever since, with a brand new album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, his first in over five years, out in 2026.

A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 2.