Paul McCartney Calls Some of Today’s Popular Music “Very Banal”
Paul McCartney said he has no wish that he had written any of today’s popular songs, describing some as “very banal” and criticising the expectation that listeners perform a TikTok dance to them. His comments reflect his preference for songs that stand on their own, shaped by a career spanning more than six decades.
Asked by Amy Poehler whether he envied any current hits, McCartney said Billie Eilish was “cool” but her songs were not ones he wanted to have written, adding that many songs are about break-ups and he is married. He recalled wishing he had written Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”, which he felt suited his own songwriting. McCartney has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, with the Beatles and as a solo artist.
- McCartney called some popular songs “very banal”.
- He criticised the expectation of TikTok dances.
- He once wished he had written Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.
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Paul McCartney is a British singer and songwriter who rose to fame with the Beatles, one of the most successful bands in popular music. He has also released music as a solo artist and with other groups over a career lasting more than six decades.
His comments concern how popular songs are written and presented today, including the role of social media trends such as dance challenges. Billie Eilish is among the current artists he mentioned, while Billy Joel is an earlier songwriter whose work McCartney has said he admired.
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The case for
McCartney’s criticism can be read as a defence of songwriting that offers more than a catchy hook or a social-media trend. He values songs that stand on their own and reflect distinctive craft, and his long experience gives weight to his view that some popular music can feel formulaic or forgettable.
The case against
Popular music has always included simple, familiar themes, and a song’s appeal need not depend on lyrical novelty or traditional songwriting craft. TikTok dances can be a playful way for listeners to engage with music, while artists such as Billie Eilish may be doing something distinctive even if their work does not suit McCartney’s tastes.