Sir Paul McCartney ‘didn’t realise’ he was making an album when he wrote his 18th record in lockdown

Sir Paul McCartney admits his 18th solo album was somewhat of a happy accident.

The Beatles star, 78, releases McCartney III this week, having written and recorded it during lockdown earlier this year.

And in a BBC chat with actor Idris Elba, aired on Saturday night, the crooner admits he ‘didn’t realise’ what he was creating when he did it.

Oops: Sir Paul McCartney admits his 18th solo album was somewhat of a happy accident

‘[In] lockdown everyone cleaned out their cupboards and did all the stuff they’d been meaning to get around to. So [making an album] was my equivalent.

‘I wasn’t trying to make an album. So suddenly I had these 10 songs, I thought, What am I going to do with these?

‘It was just the 10 because I didn’t know I was making an album.’

Paul went on to explain why he named his album McCartney III.

Out now: The Beatles star, 78, releases McCartney III this week, having written and recorded it during lockdown earlier this year

Out now: The Beatles star, 78, releases McCartney III this week, having written and recorded it during lockdown earlier this year

Process: In a BBC chat with actor Idris Elba, aired on Saturday night, the crooner admits he 'didn't realise' what he was creating when he did it

Process: In a BBC chat with actor Idris Elba, aired on Saturday night, the crooner admits he ‘didn’t realise’ what he was creating when he did it

‘I realised, because I played them myself, I’d done McCartney I and McCartney II in the same vein, that this would be McCartney III. So then it was like, ok, I see what I’m doing now.’

During lockdown, Paul stayed in the countryside with his daughter Mary and her children.

Of the experience, he went on: ‘I was really lucky. I was locked down with my daughter Mary and her family, and then I was able to go to the studio to work, it was a very safe place. We were distanced, we were always being very careful.

‘I was on holiday in the beginning of the year and then lockdown hit, covid hit, so I came back and I was locked down in the country.

Tricks of the trasde: '[In] lockdown everyone cleaned out their cupboards and did all the stuff they¿d been meaning to get around to. So [making an album] was my equivalent,' he explained

Tricks of the trasde: ‘[In] lockdown everyone cleaned out their cupboards and did all the stuff they’d been meaning to get around to. So [making an album] was my equivalent,’ he explained

Asked by Idris whether he writes music every day, the singer said: 'Not everyday but I write a lot. A week doesn¿t go by without me writing something'

Asked by Idris whether he writes music every day, the singer said: ‘Not everyday but I write a lot. A week doesn’t go by without me writing something’

Strumming along: Idris couldn't help but show off his new skills as a guitarist himself

Strumming along: Idris couldn’t help but show off his new skills as a guitarist himself

‘[It] was good as it meant I was hanging out with four of my grand-kids so suddenly that was great.

‘I was able to go in the studio. The government said you can go to work only if you can’t work at home. So I don’t have a home studio, my home studio is 20 minutes away.

‘So then I just started thinking, what about that song I had a few months ago that I never finished. So we pulled that out and I’d work on that…’

Asked by Idris whether he writes music every day, the singer said: ‘Not everyday but I write a lot. A week doesn’t go by without me writing something.

‘It’s never a one off. I keep thinking – I should be a bit fed up by now! It’s something that I love and luckily, it comes easy…’

Ahead of the broadcast, Paul’s other daughter Stella shared a snap with her father, sister Mary and interviewer Idris.

Quartet: Paul poses with daughters Stella and Mary alongside Idris ahead of the BBC interview

Quartet: Paul poses with daughters Stella and Mary alongside Idris ahead of the BBC interview

Chit chat: The interview is a special one-off show, with The Beatles star talking to Golden Globe-winning Idris, 48, about what inspires him to continue to innovate creatively

Chit chat: The interview is a special one-off show, with The Beatles star talking to Golden Globe-winning Idris, 48, about what inspires him to continue to innovate creatively

Sitting as a quartet, the foursome smiled for the shot, which Stella, 49, captioned: ‘Dad, Mary and me! Excited to watch @PaulMcCartney with @IdrisElba wearing #StellaMenswear on @BBC at 9:20 tonight. Such a great album, proud daughter moment!’

‘We were all tested, ofc,’ she was sure to add, ensuring all COVID-19 rules were adhered to, with the photo picturing them cuddled up, with 51-year-old Mary holding her father’s hand.

McCartney III is Paul’s 26th post-Beatles release – including work with other artists and his other band Wings – and he has played every instrument and written and recorded every song on it himself.

Interviewer: Paul spoke at length to Idris about his life and times, as well as the new music

Interviewer: Paul spoke at length to Idris about his life and times, as well as the new music

Interviewee: McCartney III is Paul's 26th post-Beatles release - including work with other artists and his other band Wings - and he has played every instrument and written and recorded every song on it himself

Interviewee: McCartney III is Paul’s 26th post-Beatles release – including work with other artists and his other band Wings – and he has played every instrument and written and recorded every song on it himself

Funny enough, McCartney was actually planning on releasing his new album on December 18 – the day Swift ended up rescheduling Evermore for.

‘And then she said, “But I found out you were going to put it out on the 10th. So I moved it to the 18th” and then she found out we were coming out on the 18th so she moved back to the 10th,’ McCartney said. ‘So I mean, you know, people do keep out of each other’s way. It’s a nice thing to do.’

Evermore was ultimately released on December 11, just two days shy of Swift’s 31st birthday. 

McCartney’s 18th solo album, McCartney III, is scheduled for release on December 18.

Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney can be watched on BBC iPlayer.