Paul McCartney: Inside the Songs

Thank you Paul and John for a wonderful podcast. It was so interesting to hear about the origins of my favourite songs.

What an amazing set of stories of how Paul McCartney wrote his songs and brought them into the world. He seems very modest and matter of fact in his explanation of how he wrote some of the best songs ever. As with many others the Beatles music was a part of my life whilst growing up and it still sounds relevant today (I am 67). I have enjoyed playing in a few bands over the years but I have always strived to write my own songs; some not bad, some good, some awful. Paul has inspired me to continue the quest to write a really good song.

Just when you think there’s nothing new you can hear about the Beatles, Paul McCartney etc comes along this series. What comes across to me is the real depth of thought and intelligence that lies behind McCartneys writing, even back in the Beatles. He’s lightly dismissive in that anti-intellectual way we English have, but then his references are deeply thoughtful, from Dickens through Dylan Thomas and Steptoe and Son! He’s really placed his songs in their full historical context. I could not turn this off - beneath the cheerful chappie persona there is a sharp, clever and strong personality. Of course there is, but it really comes out here. Thank you John Wilson, as ever the peerless BBC music producer.