Paul McCartney names Bob Dylan classic and John Lennon track as ‘songs that have soundtracked his life’

Paul McCartney has shared the ten songs that have “soundtracked his life”, including one from ex-bandmate John Lennon, and another from Bob Dylan.

Speaking with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2, McCartney shared the ten songs that mean the most to him. The interview between Kay and McCartney will be broadcast later this month. Kay said of his chat with McCartney: “Yes, Paul McCartney! Paul McCartney has done Tracks of My Years – it was awesome. As a music fan myself, sitting down with one quarter of The Beatles. Paul McCartney, who has had an amazing solo career as well. Paul McCartney, who is very very very highly regarded with his songwriting and everything else that he does. It was special. We were excited and you know what, Paul did not disappoint.

“What a lovely lovely fella. Really personable, asked lots of questions. We got on like a house on fire… we laughed, we giggled. It was quite emotional at times because I’m sat opposite blooming Paul McCartney. And there was a moment where the room just fell silent. I couldn’t hear what Paul McCartney was saying because I was just in a trance, staring at his face. And in my head, all I said to myself was, ‘It’s Paul McCartney… it’s Paul McCartney.’

“His lips were moving but I didn’t hear anything. It’s Paul McCartney…I’m sat opposite Paul McCartney. I’m talking to Paul McCartney for an hour and a half. Like it’s me and Paul time. Vern and Paul time on BBC Radio 2! It was special. It really was extra extra special. He’s releasing his brand-new album, it’s called The Boys of Dungeon Lane – his first in over five years…it’s out on May 29.”

McCartney’s ten song choices included Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan and Maybelline by Chuck Berry. A full list of the ten tracks can be found below.

• Gene Vincent – Be-bop-a-Lula
• Chuck Berry – Maybelline
• Buddy Holly – That’ll Be the Day
• Elvis Presley – All Shook Up
• The Kinks – You Really Got Me
• The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
• Prince – Kiss
• Bob Dylan – Mr. Tambourine Man
• The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
• John Lennon – Imagine

The UK premiere of the full interview will be at 6pm on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds in a special programme on May 25. The show will then be available on BBC Sounds. Viewers will be able to watch the exclusive interview on BBC iPlayer from 7pm.

It is not the first time McCartney has mentioned Dylan, with the pair once bumping into each other at an airport, where the Wings frontman at first didn’t recognise the All Along the Watchtower songwriter.

McCartney said: “I did, yeah. I was going through an airport, and this kind of homeless guy comes shuffling up to me in a grey hoodie. And I’m going, ‘Yeah? Can I help you?’ [Dylan voice], ‘Hey, Paul. It’s Bob.’ I must say, you know, he was very incognito. I would not have recognised him at all.”