Paul McCartney may be one of the most iconic musicians in history, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own music heroes. The former Beatles bassist and songwriter has albums that hold a special place in his heart, and now, he’s revealing the three records he calls the “soundtrack” of his life.
In a post on the news section of his official website, McCartney responded to a fan question. It read, “My partner and I have recently been discussing the albums and songs that have soundtracked our lives. Are there any albums that take you back to certain periods in your life? And does performing your own music evoke similar memories?”
The music legend responded, “Yeah, definitely. My favorite albums by other people tend to be: Music from Big Pink by The Band, Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys, and Harvest by Neil Young.”
McCartney added, “They are the three classics that I love to listen to, and they all remind me of certain times in my life. When I perform my own songs, the great thing is that they often bring back memories of recording them. That can often entail memories of John [Lennon] and George [Harrison] in the studio, sweet memories!”
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Music from Big Pink, released in 1968, was The Band‘s debut album. Recorded after the group settled into a house in upstate New York, known as “Big Pink,” the album featured a soulful blend of rock, folk, country, and blues. Tracks like “The Weight” and “Tears of Rage,” co-written with Bob Dylan, remain standards to this day.
Pet Sounds, released by The Beach Boys in 1966, is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in pop music history. With tracks like “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” and “Caroline, No,” Pet Sounds redefined pop albums and also inspired countless artists, including McCartney’s group, The Beatles, who cited it as a major influence on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Finally, Neil Young’s Harvest, released in 1972, is one of his most beloved and best-selling albums. Blending folk, rock, and country, the album features some of Young’s most iconic songs, including “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” and “The Needle and the Damage Done.”
McCartney’s been influenced by all of these artists substantially. He can be heard launching into an ad-libbed “take a load off, Fanny” from The Band’s “The Weight” toward the end of the Beatles’ promotional video for “Hey Jude.”
The singer was interviewed for the Pet Sounds Sessions box set, as reported by The Paul McCartney Project. The former Beatle said, “Pet Sounds blew me out of the water. First of all, it was Brian’s writing. I love the album so much. I’ve just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life—I figure no one is educated musically ’til they’ve heard that album. I was into the writing and the songs.”
McCartney discussed Neil Young’s influence on the Adam Buxton Podcast. “He’s influenced a lot of people. I’ll often hear a record on the radio, and I’ll just go ‘Oh, is that Neil’s new one?’ And then, ‘No, it’s another band.’ And he’s a great bloke, too. I mean, I do know him quite well. I’ve known him since the 60s. He is a cool guy.”
