The former Beatles reflected on songs which bring back memories for himDan Haygarth Liverpool Daily Post Editor and Regeneration Reporter
17:00, 26 Jun 2025
Paul McCartney leaving LIPA earlier this month(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Paul McCartney has revealed his three favourite albums from other artists, as he explained how music brings back memories of John Lennon and George Harrison. The Beatles legend, who this month celebrated his 83rd birthday, frequently speaks to fans through question and answer sessions on his website.
In recent editions of the series, called ‘You Gave Me The Answer’, Paul has been asked about the 50th anniversary re-release of the 1975 Wings album ‘Venus and Mars’. He subsequently recalled happy days as a child buying records at lost Liverpool institution Lewis’s. In this month’s offering, published today, Paul was asked about his favourite music and how certain songs can bring back memories.
Paul was asked by fan Alex: “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?”
He responded: “Yeah, definitely. My favourite 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.
“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 and George in the studio – sweet memories!”
Paul has frequently spoken about his love for the Beach Boys, whose co-founder and chief songwriter Brian Wilson died earlier this month. He is particularly fond of the track ‘God Only Knows’, which featured on the aforementioned 1996 classic ‘Pet Sounds’.
About the song, Paul told BBC Radio 1 in 2007: “‘God Only Knows’ is one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it. It’s really just a love song, but it’s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian.
“I’ve actually performed it with him and I’m afraid to say that during the sound check I broke down.” Elaborating further about the track, Paul told The Ronnie Wood Show: “I got to sing it with Brian once when we did a benefit together.
Sir Paul McCartney performing on stage at Co-op Live in Manchester during his Got Back tour last December(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
“I was okay at the actual performance, I held it together. But at the rehearsal, at the soundcheck, I lost it, because it’s very emotional, this song, I find it… ‘Oh my god, I’m singing with Brian,’ it just got me, I couldn’t.
“So all it is, it’s little vibrations reaching your music, it’s only little vibrations, little words, and little things. There is this powerful effect, you know.”
Brian died at the age of 82 in California on June 11. Paying tribute to him, Paul wrote: “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special.
“The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while.
“How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’. Thank you, Brian.”