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30 September 2021, 10:38 | Updated: 15 January 2024, 11:15
Paul McCartney may be a pop hero to millions but his grandchildren don't seem all that impressed.
Paul McCartney has published his second children's book, but revealed that his own grandchildren aren't necessarily the biggest fans of his day job.
Illustrated by Kathryn Durst, Paul's Grandude’s Green Submarine is released today (September 30), and is the sequel to 2019's Hey Grandude!
Sir Paul told The Mirror that – like the Grandude of his books – he sometimes plays guitar for his own grandchildren.
Blackbird (Remastered 2009)
"I occasionally play around the house – it depends on what they're doing," Paul said.
"They've maybe got some game going and I'm trying to say, 'Look, people come to see me, pay money, but you're not even remotely interested'.
"And they say, 'Grandad, look, do you mind? We’re watching this programme'. But sometimes they are interested and I will play something."
Paul McCartney – Blackbird (The Beatles) | Het verhaal achter het nummer
He continued: "Occasionally, I've been there at bedtime and sung them a little song and the one they liked best was 'Blackbird'.
"The interesting thing is, these songs come around because people put them in films and the kids see the films.
"The Boss Baby had 'Blackbird' in it, and Sing had 'Golden Slumbers' and a couple of other songs, so the kids get to know them. I love that. It means the songs become the kids' favourites."
Paul McCartney ‘Blackbird’ (Live from Grand Central Station, New York)
'Blackbird' featured on The Beatles' 1968 self-titled album (aka The White Album), and while it was written by Paul, like all of his work for the band it was credited to Lennon-McCartney.
Inspired by both the sound of a blackbird during the group's stay in Rishikesh, India and the burgeoning civil rights movement in the US, the song was performed by Paul alone.
The song has also been a regular on McCartney's solo setlists since the mid-1970s.