The legendary Beatles musicians have reunited to reflect on their upbringing in Liverpool for a new song
Sir Paul McCartney at an exclusive listening event today (May 5)(Image: Sonny McCartney / MPL Communications)
Sir Paul McCartney thrilled fans as he announced his new single with Sir Ringo Starr will be released on Friday (May 8). The legendary Beatle shared the exciting news at an exclusive listening event for his upcoming album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane.
The iconic musician’s latest work sees him in retrospective mood as it is named after a road in Speke and is an ode to his youth in Liverpool. The new album represents a landmark moment in music history as it is the 83-year-old’s first ever duet with Sir Ringo.
The song is titled Home To Us and sees the two look back on how growing up in our city shaped them before they went on to change the world with the Fab Four. Fifty fans were in attendance at London’s Abbey Road Studios today when Sir Paul shared the story behind the upcoming song.
He said: “Ringo went round to the studio and drummed a bit. I said to [the album’s producer] Andrew [Wyatt], we should make a track and send it to him. So this song is done totally with Ringo in mind.
“In writing the song I’m talking about where we came from. In common with a lot of people, you come from nothing and you build yourself up. Ringo was from the Dingle, and that was well hard. He said he used to get mugged coming home, because he worked.
“Even though it was crazy, it was home to us. I made the song around that idea and sent it to Ringo. He sent me back a version where he just added some lines to the chorus, so I thought, maybe he doesn’t like it.
“I rang him and he said he thought I only wanted him to sing one or two lines, and I said I’d love to hear him sing the whole thing. So we took my first line, Ringo’s second line, and then we had a duet.
“We’d never done that before. Then we wanted some backing vocals and I had the idea it would be nice to hear girls. Chrissie Hynde said she’d do it, and Sharleen Spiteri, they’re mates. So they did it.”
The two surviving members of the legendary band have taken to social media to issue a joint announcement today to reveal the new song will be released on Friday. Sir Paul’s caption said: “Home to us with @RingoStarrMusic this Friday.”
Fans took to the comments to share their excitment as the release date of the song looms. Susan said: “Lads, I’m not ready.”
Josh added: “Can’t see through my tears! Thank you! @thebeatle.br commented, alongside tear emojis: “We are not ready.”
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The Boys of Dungeon Lane will be released on May 29 and Home To Us is the second single to be released, following Days We Left Behind last month. Speaking about the first single, Sir Paul explained his latest release was all about memory.
He said: “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 [Lennon] 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.” Dungeon Lane has seen great change in the years since Sir Paul’s childhood, as the L24 road used to be the main access point to Oglet Shore.
However, people have had to take a different route through Hale Village via Bailey’s Lane to reach the picturesque beauty spot in recent years since the perimeter fence surrounding Liverpool John Lennon Airport was extended.
Sir Ringo has also been busy lately as he released a new album, Long Long Road, last month. A listening party was held at the Jacaranda on Slater Street ahead of release and the ECHO was in attendance to hear a satelite message recorded by the famous drummer.
He said: “Hi there everybody, Ringo here. I believe you are there for a listening party, I hope you enjoy it. But I am still amazed that The Jacaranda club is still there and happening. How great!
“It was such a thing when I was a lad, it was a step up and it’s great that you’re still doing it and you’re letting the new bands in. Peace and love to all of you, have a great night.”