Paul McCartney has spoken to NME about his enduring passion for songwriting and the deeply personal reflections behind his 19th solo album, ‘The Boys Of Dungeon Lane’.

Recorded partly in Abbey Road Studios’ Studio Two, the same space where much of The Beatles’ work was created, the album sees McCartney revisiting memories of his youth in Liverpool and his early relationships with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

He describes returning to Abbey Road as an emotional experience, filled with recollections of recording classic Beatles tracks and the shared history with his late bandmates.

The album features numerous nostalgic references, including songs inspired by hitchhiking trips and formative experiences before the band’s rise to fame.

A standout moment is a duet with Ringo Starr on ‘Home To Us’, which McCartney wrote with Starr’s drumming style in mind and which reflects on their shared Liverpool upbringing.

He also discusses the bond between the original Beatles members, acknowledging past tensions with John Lennon while emphasising their reconciliation before Lennon’s death.

McCartney additionally reflects on his recent collaborations with The Rolling Stones, describing the excitement of playing bass alongside Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood in the studio.

Despite his decades-long career, he stresses that the creative process remains as thrilling as ever, explaining that writing a song still feels like a ‘magic’ experience when it comes together after hours of experimentation.

Ultimately, McCartney frames music-making as a lifelong source of satisfaction, shaped by memory, friendship and a continuing sense of artistic discovery.