11 episodes
Paul McCartney: Inside the Songs BBC Radio 4
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4.8 • 46 Ratings
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Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics, including The Beatles’ classics All My Loving, Eleanor Rigby and Penny Lane.
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10. You Tell Me
Paul looks back in wonder in the song You Tell Me, a song about memory and experience from the 2007 album Memory Almost Full.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson. -
9. Pretty Boys
Paul explores the inspiration behind Pretty Boys, a song from his most recent album McCartney III.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson. -
8. Here Today
After the murder of John Lennon in 1980, Paul remembers the loss he felt and how he reconnected with his friend in the song Here Today.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson. -
7. Too Many People
Paul recalls how his friendship with John Lennon turned fractious after The Beatles split. He addressed the issue on the song Too Many People, recorded for his 1971 album Ram.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson. -
6. Junk
Paul discusses Junk, a song he originally wrote for The Beatles in 1968, but which was first released on his debut solo album McCartney in 1970.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson. -
5. Penny Lane
The sights and sounds of Liverpool are evoked as Paul remembers the 1967 Beatles single Penny Lane.
In this podcast series Paul McCartney talks about his life and song-writing through the prism of 10 key lyrics from The Beatles plus his solo recordings.
This is a unique insight into the life and art of Paul McCartney from his book The Lyrics, read by the man himself. Produced by John Wilson.
Customer Reviews
so interesting to hear about the origins of my favourite songs
Thank you Paul and John for a wonderful podcast. It was so interesting to hear about the origins of my favourite songs.
A real insight into the mystery of songwriting.
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.
Wonderful and insightful
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.