If you loved
The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present
Paul McCartney · Book
If you loved the intimate creative revelations of The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, you will appreciate these deep dives into musical legacies.
Films on the same thread
Man on the Run
Morgan Neville · Film · 2026
Explores: artistic reinvention, creative partnership, intimate home life.
Like The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, this film uses archival intimacy to explore the creative partnership and personal life that shaped McCartney's legendary post-Beatles songwriting career.
Better Man
Michael Gracey · Film · 2024
Explores: Fame and its consequences, Overcoming addiction, The price of success.
Just as The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present dissects the weight of artistic legacy, this film examines the personal toll and boy band dynamics behind a major songwriting career.
Yesterday
Film · 2019
Explores: Alternative History, Legacy of Music, Fame and Success.
This film captures the same sense of nostalgia found in The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, focusing on how a songwriter's work endures through collective memory and cultural history.
Series on the same thread
McCartney 3, 2, 1
Series · 2021
Explores: Musical Innovation, Songwriting Process, Creative Collaboration.
This series serves as a perfect companion to The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, offering a similarly granular breakdown of the songwriting process and the artist's musical innovation.
The Beatles: Get Back
Peter Jackson · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present: Creative Process.
If you valued the handwritten texts and archival insights in The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, this documentary provides an unparalleled look into the creative process of the band.
The Beatles Anthology
Series · 1995
Shares a thread with The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present: Creative process.
This series mirrors the comprehensive career overview of The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, offering essential context on the band dynamics that fueled McCartney's most iconic artistic contributions.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes
Susan Lacy · Series · 2025
Explores: Musical Genius, Songwriting Process, Personal Struggles of Artists.
Like The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, this portrait uses personal photographs and home movies to connect the artist's private struggles directly to the evolution of their songwriting craft.
Podcasts on the same thread
the memory palace
Nate DiMeo · Podcast · 2026
This podcast echoes the reflective spirit of The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, focusing on the way personal history and nostalgia shape our understanding of significant cultural legacies.
Mobituaries with Mo Rocca
iHeartPodcasts and CBS News · Podcast · 2024
Shares a thread with The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present: nostalgia.
Much like the archival focus of The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, this series explores the importance of legacy and memory by examining the lives of notable historical figures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What content is included in The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present?
The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present is a collection of 161 songs written by Paul McCartney. The book features the songwriter's handwritten texts alongside a variety of paintings and photographs curated from his personal archives to provide context for his musical career.
Is The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present a photography book?
While it features photographs, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present is primarily a career-spanning collection of 161 songs. The visual elements, including both paintings and photographs from the songwriter's archives, are included to complement the handwritten texts and stories behind the musical compositions.
How many songs are featured in The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present?
The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present features a total of 161 songs. Each entry includes the songwriter's handwritten texts, which are accompanied by archival materials such as paintings and photographs to illustrate the history and development of the music throughout Paul McCartney's career.
Does The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present contain original handwritten lyrics?
Yes, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present includes the songwriter's handwritten texts for the 161 songs featured in the collection. These are presented alongside paintings and photographs sourced directly from Paul McCartney's personal archives to offer a visual look at his creative process.