At 83, Paul McCartney has no plans to put down the guitar.
The music legend recently opened up about retirement during an appearance on NBC’s ‘Today,’ where he promoted his new solo album, ‘The Boys Of Dungeon Lane.’
Asked whether he could ever imagine stepping away from music for good, McCartney’s answer was immediate.
“I hope not,” he said with a laugh.
Paul McCartney Says Music Still Feels Like A Hobby
Despite one of the most celebrated careers in music history, McCartney insists he does not view songwriting as work.
“I don’t really see it as a profession,” he explained. “It’s still like a hobby to me.”
The former Beatle said he continues to experience the same excitement whenever he picks up a guitar.
“Every time I pick up the guitar, it feels magical,” McCartney said.
Rather than chasing commercial success, he described the creative process as simple exploration.
“If I’m lucky, something nice will emerge,” he said. “Maybe a cool chord progression or some lyrics I dig.”
New Album Revisits Liverpool Memories
McCartney’s latest album takes listeners back to his early years in Liverpool.
Several songs explore memories of his childhood, including his friendships with future Beatles bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison before global fame arrived.
The album title itself comes from a lyric referencing Dungeon Lane, a road near the Liverpool neighborhood where McCartney grew up.
“We didn’t have much,” he recalled. “But it didn’t matter because the people were fantastic.”
Rather than presenting Beatles history as mythology, McCartney said the songs reflect his own memories of ordinary moments that later became part of music history.
Life Beyond The Stage
Away from recording studios and concert stages, McCartney continues to enjoy a quieter family life.
The musician married Nancy Shevell in 2011 after the pair began dating in 2007. Their relationship marked a new chapter following the death of his first wife, Linda McCartney, and the end of his marriage to Heather Mills.
While many artists begin discussing retirement in their 70s or 80s, McCartney sounds far from ready.
For him, making music remains less about maintaining a legacy and more about following inspiration wherever it leads.
And after more than six decades in the spotlight, that passion appears as strong as ever.
