Paul McCartney has taken a swipe at influencer culture, insisting that 'people who don't seem to be talented are incredibly famous'. The Beatles legend, 83, has been a fixture of showbiz for six decades, witnessing generations of stars enter and leave the music scene.
In a new interview on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, McCartney was asked by hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman what baffles him most about the 21st century. He said: 'I think a lot of this influencer stuff - I just don't really get it, because I'm not that generation. But I see it, you can't help it. My wife will be looking at Instagram and showing me something, and then one of those will come on.'
He added: 'I think it's funny - and I suppose it always happened - but people who don't seem to be particularly talented are incredibly famous. Billions of hits and views. You've got to be careful about talking about that, because it makes you sound very old-fashioned. Which I am.'
Evolution of Fame
McCartney discussed how fame has evolved since his rise in the 1960s, noting some stars who criticise the attention. He said: 'I think the big difference is in yourself. When you're first famous, you love it - because it's what you were trying to achieve. So something goes well, people in the street recognise you, and you love it. There was none of this ''oh, people are bothering me'' - that's a modern affliction. We loved it. And you learn to deal with it.'
Given his fame, McCartney is frequently recognised by fans but often declines photo requests. He said: 'As time's gone by, things have changed. Now - phones. So if I meet someone, they're reaching for their phone, and I say: ''I'm sorry, I don't do pictures.'' And that is radical these days. I told that to Oprah - I'm name-dropping now - and she said: ''You don't do pictures?'' I said: ''No.'' She said: ''Why?'' I said: ''I don't want to.'' It's as simple as that.'
He elaborated: 'I have a long explanation - I say I don't like to do it because something important to me, something related to your question about innocence and staying normal, would be lost. The minute I start thinking I'm something above myself, I won't like me. It's very important for me to just be me. So I say to people: I don't want to do photos. And they say: ''Why?'' And I say: ''I'll tell you what...'' - and I go into this long explanation about how, down on the south coast of France in Saint-Tropez, there's a man on the beachfront who has a monkey, and you pay to have your photo taken with the monkey. I really do not want to feel like that monkey. And when I take a picture with someone, I do feel like him. I'm not me anymore - I'm suddenly something else.'
New Album: The Boys from Dungeon Lane
Last month, the first track from McCartney's album The Boys from Dungeon Lane was released, titled Days We Left Behind, with the full album expected in May. The song was unveiled on BBC Merseyside Radio, marking the Beatles legend's first new music in five years. It was announced with a new portrait and artwork shot by his photographer daughter Mary McCartney, 56.
The album revisits memories of his home city of Liverpool while also sharing 'early adventures shared with George Harrison and John Lennon long before the world had ever heard of Beatlemania.' Speaking about the single, Sir Paul said: 'This is very much a memory song for me. The album title, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, comes from a lyric in this track... I was thinking just that, about the days I left behind and I do often wonder if I'm just writing about the past but then I think how can you write about anything else?... It's just a lot of memories of Liverpool. It involves a bit in the middle about John and Forthlin Road which is the street I used to live in. Dungeon Lane is near there.... I used to live in a place called Speke which is quite working class. We didn't have much at all but it didn't matter because all the people were great and you didn't notice you didn't have much.'
The album has been described as: 'With The Boys of Dungeon Lane, Paul McCartney turns the lens inward, revisiting the formative years that shaped not only his life, but the very foundations of modern popular culture.... In a career defined by timeless storytelling and unforgettable characters, Paul now tells the most personal story of all, his own. The Boys of Dungeon Lane is his most introspective album to date and takes the listener back to where it all began.' Additionally, the songs give a nod to his pre-Beatles days with his bandmates: 'These extraordinary new songs find Paul in a candid, vulnerable and deeply reflective mood, writing with rare openness about his childhood in post-war Liverpool... The resilience of his parents, and early adventures shared with George Harrison and John Lennon long before the world had ever heard of Beatlemania.'
The octogenarian's tight schedule meant the album was recorded in sessions between legs of global tour dates spanning five years, alternating between LA and Sussex. The Boys of Dungeon Lane came to fruition five years ago when Paul met producer Andrew Watt for a cup of tea and an exchange of ideas.
Personal Life
Ahead of the album release, Sir Paul was seen relaxing in St. Barts with his wife Nancy, 66. Paul and Nancy got married in 2011 after meeting in 2007, and both have children from previous relationships. Nancy shares son Arlen with her ex-husband Bruce Blakeman, while Paul has Stella, James, Heather and Mary with late wife Linda McCartney, and daughter Beatrice McCartney, 19, with ex-wife Heather Mills, 55. Paul coupled up with Nancy when the pair were on holiday in Morocco with his brother Mike, and the musician serenaded her on the hotel's piano. He detailed how they weren't yet officially a couple and were sleeping in separate bedrooms when he made his move. Paul explained: 'The piano was sitting in the foyer all day long, and because the rain would not stop, I sometimes went and just noodled on the keys. I was thinking all sorts of loving thoughts towards Nancy, and while I was at the piano, I could see that the waiters who were clearing up were listening. But it was nice and romantic, it was a perfect moment, and I thought to myself, we're not going to stay in separate rooms tonight.' Paul previously revealed his signature dance moves were responsible for his lasting romance with his wife. Writing in his book, The Lyrics, the Beatles star explained how he knew Nancy was a keeper when she matched his energy on the dancefloor.
Listen to the full interview on The Rest Is Entertainment now.
