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Sir Paul McCartney joins Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2 to choose ten songs that have soundtracked his life
He has recorded a special Tracks of My Years, airing on Monday 25 May
BBC
Published: 12 May 2026
Today on Vernon’s mid-morning Radio 2 show, he announced that Paul McCartney has recorded a special Tracks of My Years, airing on Monday 25 May.
Speaking on Radio 2, Vernon said: “Yes Paul McCartney! Paul McCartney has done Tracks of My Years – it was awesome. As a music fan myself, sitting down with one quarter of the Beatles. Paul McCartney who has had an amazing solo career as well. Paul McCartney who is very very very highly regarded with his songwriting and everything else that he does. It was special. We were excited and you know what, Paul did not disappoint. What a lovely lovely fella. Really personable, asked lots of questions. We got on like a house on fire... we laughed, we giggled.
"It was quite emotional at times because I’m sat opposite blooming Paul McCartney. And there was a moment where the room just fell silent. I couldn’t hear what Paul McCartney was saying because I was just in a trance staring at his face. And in my head all I said to myself was ‘It’s Paul McCartney…it’s Paul McCartney.’ His lips were moving but I didn’t hear anything. It’s Paul McCartney... I’m sat opposite Paul McCartney. I’m talking to Paul McCartney for an hour and a half. Like it’s me and Paul time. Vern and Paul time on BBC Radio 2! It was special. It really was extra extra special. He’s releasing his brand-new album, it’s called The Boys of Dungeon Lane – his first in over five years…it’s out on the 29th of May."
In a wide-ranging conversation spanning his life and extraordinary career, Paul talks to Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2 on Tracks Of My Years, which sees a special guest choose ten songs that have soundtracked their life.
Paul reflects on his childhood, recalls his earliest musical memories, and discusses the artists and influences that first shaped his love of music. Through his choices, listeners will hear brilliant stories about The Beatles’ relationship with The Rolling Stones and The Kinks as well as recollections of meetings with Elvis Presley, Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan.
Paul’s 10 tracks are:
° Gene Vincent - Be-bop-a-Lula
° Chuck Berry - Maybelline
° Buddy Holly - That’ll Be The Day
° Elvis - All Shook Up
° The Kinks - You Really Got Me
° The Human League - Don’t You Want Me
° Prince - Kiss
° Bob Dylan - Tambourine Man
° The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
° John Lennon – Imagine
The UK premiere of the full interview will be at 6pm on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds in a special programme on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May. The show will then be available on BBC Sounds. Viewers will be able to watch the exclusive interview on BBC iPlayer from 7pm. Daily episodes will be broadcast in Vernon’s Radio 2 show from Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 May.
Born in Liverpool in 1942, Paul began playing music at an early age, teaching himself Spanish guitar, trumpet and piano and writing the song When I’m Sixty-Four by the age of 16. In 1957, he met John Lennon and was invited to join John’s band The Quarrymen, who by 1960 had become The Beatles. They became one of the most influential bands of the time and Paul wrote a huge number of their songs including Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let It Be and Yesterday to name just a few. After releasing twelve studio albums they disbanded in 1970 and Paul began a solo career with the self-titled album McCartney that year. He has continued recording music and touring ever since, with a brand new album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, his first in over five years, out on 29th May.
