Paul McCartney on playing guitar with Paul Mescal: ‘He knew it better than I did!’
Paul McCartney on Playing Guitar with Paul Mescal: ‘He Knew It Better Than I Did!’
Paul McCartney on playing guitar – Paul McCartney, the ever-charming Beatle, greeted me with an enthusiastic “Hey, I know you!” as we entered his office in central London. His exclamation immediately eased the tension of our meeting, leaving me momentarily speechless. Though I was aware he might not recall every detail of our past interactions, his warmth and humor defused the formality of the occasion. We settled in Soho for lunch, where McCartney opted for a simple bagel—topped with a peculiar mix of Marmite and hummus—that he had prepared in a kitchenette adjacent to his assistant’s desk. As he sipped, he glanced at a printed list of film titles, mostly classic comedies, searching for a film to feature in his family’s upcoming movie night. “It’s hard to find something I haven’t seen,” he sighed, a subtle hint of nostalgia lacing his words.
A Nostalgic Approach to Memory
After the meal, we moved to a corner of the room where a Wurlitzer jukebox hummed softly. McCartney placed his phone face down, revealing a case adorned with a vibrant holiday photo. “Is that the family?” I asked, curious. “Yeah, those are my grandkids—four of Stella’s and four of Mary’s,” he replied, pride evident in his voice. He described their accomplishments, mentioning Ivy League universities like Yale and NYU, with a playful repetition of the name Yale. “They’re all very bright,” he smiled, gesturing toward each photo in turn. “Yale, Brown, Brown, NYU, Yale again.” When I asked if he was a lenient grandparent, he responded with a cheerful “Yeppp!” before adding, “They’re very lovely. I love them.”
McCartney has long been celebrated for his sentimental nature, often writing songs that capture the essence of love and connection. His latest album, *The Boys of Dungeon Lane*, is no exception. With over 14 tracks and a diverse range of musical styles, the project serves as a collection of “memory songs” that revisit pivotal moments from his childhood in Liverpool. From the quiet moments of birdwatching along the Mersey to the raucous days spent with his fellow Beatles—John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison—the album weaves personal reflections into its musical fabric. “I like to go over memories because it brings me back to the time,” he explained, emphasizing how these recollections anchor him to both the past and the people who shaped it. “It brings me back to the people.” This sentiment underscores the album’s emotional core, blending nostalgia with a sense of continuity.
Childhood and the Echoes of the Past
Born in 1942, McCartney grew up during a period of profound change in Liverpool. The city was still recovering from the devastation of World War Two, having endured heavy bombing campaigns. Yet, amidst the post-war challenges, a wave of renewal swept through the community. “Things were pretty good, actually,” he recalled, reflecting on the atmosphere of his youth. “My uncles and aunties and my parents were so relieved that Hitler wasn’t sending these bombers anymore—so it was piano, it was music, it was jokes. It didn’t matter that you weren’t that well off. They made it okay.”
His father, Jim McCartney, played a pivotal role in shaping the young Paul’s early life. A self-taught musician, Jim filled their home with melodies, often playing tunes on an old piano that had seen better days. He was also a storyteller, a man who reveled in wordplay and linguistic curiosity. “He loved to do crosswords,” McCartney shared, “and he would be very keen for me to know certain words I wouldn’t otherwise have known.” This influence is palpable in McCartney’s lyrical craft, which has always carried a touch of wit and warmth. “So I was the only kid in my class who could spell ‘phlegm’,” he chuckled, highlighting how his father’s hobby became an unexpected gift.
Collaborations and the Birth of New Music
The album’s creation involved a mix of old and new, as McCartney collaborated with producers who brought fresh perspectives to his work. One notable moment occurred during a casual tea session in Los Angeles with Andrew Watt, a producer known for his work with Lady Gaga and Katseye. Watt has become a go-to partner for seasoned rockers, including Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones. “It was a green tea,” McCartney revealed, “and I was in LA, so I thought they’re not going to be able to make a good cup of builder’s.” The tea, he noted, was a simple yet meaningful backdrop for the first song he wrote for the project, *As You Lie There*.
McCartney described his creative process as one of spontaneity, often drawing inspiration from unconventional sources. “One of my recent tricks is to find any weird chord that may intrigue me,” he explained, plucking the opening notes of *As You Lie There* on an acoustic guitar. “I played this, and I got lucky because I don’t know what that chord is. Somebody classically trained will be able to tell me it’s a ‘G demented,’ or whatever, but that started something.” This anecdote illustrates his willingness to embrace the unexpected, a trait that has defined his career.
Another track, *Lost Horizon*, was resurrected from an early 2000s demo that McCartney’s late engineer, Eddie Klein, had cherished. “It was his job to archive all my old tapes, and he said, ‘This one’s good, you should listen to it.’” McCartney elaborated. “If Eddie liked it, I knew it was good. So we played it, and it was very complete.” Unlike many demo tracks that lack full lyrics or structure, *Lost Horizon* was a finished piece, a testament to the care Eddie Klein took in preserving his work. “Sometimes, if you were working to a cassette, you’d have half the lyrics, maybe a little suggestion for the chorus,” McCartney added, “but this [song] was all there.” The result is a track that feels both timeless and contemporary, bridging past and present in its composition.
The Legacy of Family and Music
McCartney’s tribute to his parents in the new song *Salesman Saint* captures the essence of their influence. The track is a tender ballad, punctuated by bursts of dancehall jazz—a genre that echoes the rhythms he and his family would have heard on the radio while sipping tea and smoking cigarettes. “It’s about the resilience of my parents,” he said, “and how they managed to keep hope alive despite the hardships.” The song’s title itself is a nod to their dual roles as both caregivers and companions, reflecting the blend of duty and affection that defined their relationship with him.
While *Salesman Saint* leans into the gentle, reflective tone of McCartney’s past work, *As You Lie There* takes a more intense route, capturing the fervor of a teenage crush. The track’s energy is a striking contrast to the album’s more subdued moments, showcasing McCartney’s versatility as an artist. “It was the first song written for the album,” he admitted, “and it came out of a simple conversation over tea.” This blend of casual inspiration and artistic depth is a hallmark of his creative process, which has always thrived on the interplay between personal experience and musical expression.
McCartney’s ability to transform everyday moments into art is what makes *The Boys of Dungeon Lane* so compelling. Whether it’s a bagel with an unusual topping or a family gathering around a jukebox, the album finds beauty in the ordinary. “Family and friends are at the heart of everything I do,” he asserted, a sentiment that resonates throughout the collection. By revisiting the sounds and stories of his youth, McCartney not only honors his roots but also invites listeners to reconnect with their own memories. “Music is a way to relive the past,” he said, “but it’s also a way to feel the present.” The result is an album that feels both intimate and universal, a celebration of life’s simple joys and enduring bonds.