An album born out of a guitar chord he didn’t recognise, The Boys of Dungeon Lane would be the 18th solo album from Paul McCartney, featuring the lead single Days We Left Behind. This is the first new music from Paul since WINGS last year, where written with introspection and revelation, the single is McCartney reminiscing on memories of post-war Liverpool, unshared stories and resolving with himself.
With 14 songs on the track list, dropping 29th May, many say The Boys of Dungeon Lane is about to be McCartney’s most personal album yet, and Days We Left Behind is just a first glimpse into this journey of retracing his legendary life. The sheer fact that the now 83-year old artist is still releasing new music for us is a blessing in itself, and this album would bear why Paul McCartney is one of greatest songwriters alive.
As the lead single, Days We Left Behind certainly carries a lot of weight on its own, where the album title The Boys of Dungeon Lane comes from its lyrics, ‘See the boys of Dungeon Lane Along the Mersey shore, some of them will feel the pain but some were meant for more’. McCartney brings us to his hometown, where the ‘smoking bars and cheap guitars’ sung in his now frail, gentle voice held another layer of bitter nostalgia.
The track is painted in a slightly melancholy tone, emotions builds up as the guitar fleshes out into piano riffs and as McCartney’s voice thickens with harmonies. In references to his former bandmate John Lennon in the bridge, McCartney sings, ‘We met at Forthlin Road and wrote a secret code to never be spoken’, he reassures, ‘The promise that I made will never be broken’. It is clear that The Boys of Dungeon Lane holds lots of untold episodes of the legendary musician, and they are to be delivered in delicate melodies and intimate lyrics.
‘No one needs to cry’, McCartney sings. It is as if everything is going to be okay as his voice lingers. From a place of strength, regret and realisation, McCartney lays down his most vulnerable self. Starting with Days We Left Behind and 13 more to come, The Boys of Dungeon Lane is indeed Paul McCartney’s gift to us, and as long as he will be singing, we will be listening.
CHECK OUT MORE FROM PAUL MCCARTNEY HERE
FOR MORE MUSIC COMING OUT OF LIVERPOOL HERE