Paul McCartney’s Top Ten Songs Reveal His Musical Roots

Paul McCartney recently released a top-ten list of songs that have shaped his musical outlook, spanning various eras and styles. He has performed many of the tracks, but avoids playing John Lennon’s “Imagine,” citing audience expectations.

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McCartney’s teenage years were marked by Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up,” Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day,” Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline,” and Gene Vincent’s “Be-bop-a-Lula,” the first record he bought. He praised Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys as “a really amazing composer,” noted a friendly rivalry with John Lennon, and admired Prince’s “Kiss.” Kinks frontman Ray Davies called McCartney “one of the most competitive people” he met.

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• “Imagine” – John Lennon

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• “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys

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• “Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan (1965)

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• “Kiss” – Prince (1986)

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• “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League

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• “You Really Got Me” – The Kinks (1964)

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• “All Shook Up” – Elvis Presley (1957)

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• “That’ll Be the Day” – Buddy Holly

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• “Maybelline” – Chuck Berry

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• “Be-bop-a-Lula” – Gene Vincent

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The mix shows how surf harmonies, folk-rock storytelling and funk rhythms have fed McCartney’s compositions. His next album, *The Boys of Dungeon Road*, arrives May 29, 2026 and includes a duet with Ringo Starr, “Home to Us.”

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McCartney said his avoidance of “Imagine” reflects a wish to sidestep repetitive expectations, not disrespect. He called “God Only Knows” his favorite Beach Boys track for its melody, harmonies and lyrics. He noted that “All Shook Up” taught him how special buying a record can feel. He confirmed the May 29 album release and the Ringo Starr duet.

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Lou Gaffney tweeted surprise that no Little Richard song appears, despite McCartney’s known performances of “Long Tall Sally.” Ray Davies called McCartney “one of the most competitive people” he met, suggesting a less collaborative side.

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The list includes “Don’t You Want Me,” yet no source records McCartney commenting on that track. The omission of Little Richard highlights a gap between his publicly cited influences and the final selection.

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• “When we came to not writing together, I think it was difficult for both of us,” McCartney once said of Lennon. “But, y’know, he still did ‘Imagine.’ He still did one of his best things ever.” — Paul McCartney, Interview

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• “There’s no shame in doing [Lennon’s] songs,” McCartney said. “In fact, I considered doing a major tribute to John…But then people started saying, ‘Why don’t you do ‘Imagine?’” — Paul McCartney, Interview

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• “The blues had gone. The headache had gone. We were like new people,” McCartney said. “I just love that song so much for being able to do that.” — Paul McCartney, American Songwriter

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• “Yeah, it was the first record I bought, you know, and in those days, I think this with the Beatles, you know, it made us realize how special it is for people to buy records because we didn’t have much money. And you think about your purchase … so precious, man. It was all your money that week would go on that record,” McCartney recalled in an interview with Ronnie Wood. — Paul McCartney, Interview

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