Sir Paul McCartney declares John Lennon’s “beautiful vision’ in Imagine still matters in war-torn world
The Beatles icon reflected on the enduring emotional power of John Lennon’s Imagine while discussing his friendship with his former bandmate and recalling recent a recording session with The Rolling Stones.
Sir Paul McCartney has described John Lennon’s Imagine as a “beautiful vision” that remains painfully relevant amid continuing global conflict.
The 83-year-old Beatles icon discussed his late former bandmate’s 1971 peace anthem during an interview with Vernon Kay for Radio 2’s Tracks Of My Years, which saw Paul reflect on his friendship and creative partnership with John while promoting his latest album and selecting 10 songs that shaped his life and career.
Paul – whose recent Got Back tour reignited worldwide interest in The Beatles’ back catalogue and whose work continues to dominate streaming and reissue charts – said John’s most famous solo track still resonates decades after it was written.
Paul told Vernon: “(Imagine is) just one of John’s great songs. There’s so many tracks you can choose.
“You start getting John, well, what about George? George has got some incredible ones. But you’ve got to slim it down for the programme.
“I just think that song of John’s is magical. And a lot of other people do.
“In my mind, having worked with John so often, I can kind of see him writing it. To see him doing that piano part.
“I think it’s a beautiful vision of how the world could be. Unfortunately, when I hear that, the back of my mind thinks it’s not going to happen. Or, ‘Wouldn’t it be great?’ How lucky would we be if all those things happened?
“I think a lot of people love to think about that, love to imagine that kind of reality, particularly with a lot of stuff going on these days.”
The renewed focus on The Beatles also follows the recent success of Peter Jackson’s recent documentary series The Beatles: Get Back and ongoing anticipation surrounding Sam Mendes’ forthcoming four-part Beatles biopic project, which is set to chronicle the lives of Paul, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Paul, who rose to fame alongside John, George and Ringo in The Beatles before embarking on a hugely successful solo career and forming Wings, also used his Radio 2 appearance to select songs by Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, The Kinks and The Human League as his favourites.
The musician also reflected on recently recording with The Rolling Stones after being invited to contribute bass to the band’s forthcoming album.
Paul said he had recommended producer Andrew Watt to Ronnie Wood during a dinner conversation before eventually joining the sessions himself.
He added: “So Ronnie went back and mentioned it, and it turned out Mick was thinking about him anyway.
“And at one point, Andrew said, ‘Do you want to play bass on it?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do that. Why not?’
“I’m standing there and playing, and I’m thinking, ‘I’m playing with the Stones.’
“I should be blasé and go, ‘Yeah, I’ve known them for years’. But it was special, because now suddenly I’m playing with them.”
Paul was promoting his new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which references an area near the River Mersey in Liverpool where he spent much of his childhood before global fame transformed his life.
The album, Paul said, is heavily rooted in memory and nostalgia.
He added: “Probably about half the album is nostalgic. I’m thinking of memories. I’m thinking of places that I remember. And I like that, because it takes me back then, and I’m sort of with those people again.
“I grew up in a very loving family in Liverpool. So I was very lucky to have these great uncles and aunties and cousins. And I thought everyone had that kind of family.
“So, you know, when I met John and I’m talking to him, his dad left home when he was three years old. And Ringo’s got the same kind of story.
“So I realised how lucky I was, you know, to have this great upbringing.”
Paul McCartney’s Tracks Of My Years will air on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds at 6pm on Monday (25.05.26.)
The Boys of Dungeon Lane is released on Friday (29.05.26.)
