Paul McCartney Reveals His Favorite All-Time Albums in New Q&A: “They All Remind Me of Certain Times in My Life”..
On June 27, 2025, Sir Paul McCartney took part in his monthly fan Q&A series, “You Know the Answer,” held on his official website. A fan named Alex asked: “Are there any albums that take you back to certain periods in your life? And does performing your own music evoke similar memories?”
Responding thoughtfully, McCartney selected three albums—Music from Big Pink by The Band, Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, and Harvest by Neil Young—as those that resonate most deeply with him, each one tied to meaningful chapters in his life. He described them as “the three classics that I love to listen to, and they all remind me of certain times in my life.”
1. Music from Big Pink (1968) – The Band
This debut album followed The Band’s retreat to “Big Pink” in upstate New York, where they forged an intimate, roots-influenced sound. With hits like “The Weight,” its Americana-tinged vibe clearly struck a chord with McCartney, who even ad-libbed lyrics from it during Beatles promos.
2. Pet Sounds (1966) – The Beach Boys
Widely considered one of the greatest pop records ever made, Pet Sounds deeply influenced McCartney and The Beatles alike. Paul hailed “God Only Knows” as the “greatest song ever written” and credited the album for shaping his own melodic bass playing and orchestration on Sgt. Pepper . In a May 27 tribute, he mourned the late Brian Wilson and celebrated the track’s timeless beauty: “How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows.’”
3. Harvest (1972) – Neil Young
Neil Young’s mellow folk-rock gem, featuring “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man,” ranks among his most beloved. McCartney has long praised Young—not only as a brilliant songwriter but also a “great bloke.” Their mutual respect spilled over during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, where Young called McCartney “one of the greatest songwriters ever.”
Reflecting on His Own Music
Paul shared that performing his own songs often triggers warm memories of the recording studio—especially moments shared with his late Beatles bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison: “sweet memories!”
A Broader Perspective
While these three albums by other artists top the list in this recent edition, Paul’s taste is far broader. In past interviews, he’s expressed love for his own Beatles catalogue—particularly Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band —and his maternity with Wings on albums like Band on the Run .
Final Take
McCartney’s three picks—Music from Big Pink, Pet Sounds, and Harvest—reveal a keen appreciation for introspection, craftsmanship, and the power of memory in music. That these albums “sound‑track” parts of his own life, and evoke similar nostalgia when he performs, beautifully illustrates music’s timeless bond with memory and emotion.
