Ringo Starr has revealed the details behind his first-ever vocal duet with fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, a milestone in their solo careers that spans more than five decades. The song, titled "Home to Us," appears on McCartney's 20th solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, released on May 29 via Capitol Records. In a recent interview, Starr described the experience as a unique collaboration, joking that it's not like they don't know each other.
"Well, it's the first time we've ever done it like a couple — we're both singing it. I've sang a few choruses on his tracks. He's played on my tracks. He's come over with the bass," Starr told PEOPLE at his 86th birthday event in Beverly Hills, California. "It's not like we don't know each other." The two musicians have known one another since the early 1960s, when Starr replaced Pete Best as the drummer for The Beatles in 1962. They went on to create 12 studio albums together before the band's breakup in 1970.
McCartney originally approached Starr to play drums on "Home to Us," but as the recording sessions progressed, the song evolved into a full-fledged duet. Starr praised McCartney's musical abilities, calling him a "wonderful lad" and highlighting his bass playing and songwriting. "I loved it because we were in this band together, and it's just the best band ever. And Paul, his bass playing is incredible, and he's a songwriter. I mean, I can go on forever. He's just a wonderful lad," Starr added.
First Duet Since Solo Careers Began
This is the first time McCartney and Starr have shared lead vocals on a track since they launched their respective solo careers. While they have collaborated numerous times — Starr played drums on McCartney's 1971 album Ram and McCartney played on Starr's 1973 Ringo, among other sessions — they had never before recorded a duet where both sang the melody together. "It's the first time we've ever done it like a couple — we're both singing it," Starr emphasized.
The song's lyrics reflect on their humble beginnings in Liverpool. McCartney wrote "Home to Us" as a nostalgic look at where they came from. In a statement shared in May, McCartney explained: "In writing the song I'm talking about where we came from. In common with a lot of people, you come from nothing and you build yourself up... Ringo was from the Dingle, and that was well hard." The Dingle, a tough neighborhood in southern Liverpool, was known for its rough reputation during their youth. Starr himself has spoken about being mugged on the way home from work because he was one of the few in the area who had a job. McCartney grew up in the suburbs of Speke and Allerton, a comparatively safer environment.
The duet begins with both voices in unison, singing about "the place we used to live" and the uncertain roads ahead. It serves as both a personal reflection and a universal theme of remembering one's roots. The second single from The Boys of Dungeon Lane, "Home to Us" follows the lead single "Days We Left Behind," which McCartney performed on the season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live in May.
A Legacy of Collaboration
The Beatles' breakup in 1970 did not end the musical bond between McCartney and Starr. Over the years, they have appeared on each other's albums, performed together at charity events, and reunited for special occasions like the 2008 Love documentary project and the 2011 "Beatles" section of the Apple Music release. However, the duet on "Home to Us" marks a new chapter. It is the first time they have tackled a song as equal vocal partners, a sign of their enduring friendship and mutual respect.
McCartney and Starr have also collaborated in other medias. In 2019, Starr joined McCartney onstage at Dodger Stadium during his Freshen Up tour to perform "Helter Skelter," and they have appeared together in interviews and documentaries, always with a sense of playful camaraderie. Their age difference — McCartney turned 84 in June, and Starr recently celebrated 86 — has not diminished their enthusiasm for making music together.
The album The Boys of Dungeon Lane is named after a street in Liverpool where McCartney often played as a child. The album features a mix of original songs and covers, with themes of nostalgia, love, and resilience. Critics have praised the album for its warm, reflective tone, and the duet with Starr has generated particular excitement among Beatles fans who long for more collaborations between the surviving members.
Starr's participation extends beyond vocals; he also plays drums on the track, as he has done on many of McCartney's recent recordings. Their working relationship remains informal and joyful. "He's just a wonderful lad," Starr repeated, underscoring the deep bond that has lasted more than six decades.
The Beatles: A Brief History
To fully appreciate the significance of this duet, it helps to understand the history of The Beatles and the individual paths of its members. The band formed in Liverpool in 1960 with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and drummer Pete Best. They signed a recording contract with EMI in 1962, but producer George Martin expressed dissatisfaction with Best's drumming. In August 1962, the band asked Ringo Starr, then drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, to replace Best. Starr's first recording session with the band produced the single "Love Me Do," which became a modest hit.
Starr's drumming style, characterized by a steady, relaxed groove and intuitive fills, helped define the Beatles' sound. He also contributed vocals on songs like "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Yellow Submarine." The band released 12 studio albums between 1963 and 1970, from Please Please Me to Let It Be, before announcing their breakup in April 1970.
After the split, all four former members pursued solo careers. McCartney released his self-titled debut in 1970, and Starr followed later that year with Sentimental Journey. Over the years, they collaborated on each other's projects. Starr played on McCartney's Ram (1971), Flaming Pie (1997), and Egypt Station (2018), among others. McCartney appeared on Starr's Ringo (1973), Goodnight Vienna (1974), and Give More Love (2017). They also joined forces for charity singles like "Let It Be" (1985) and "Free as a Bird" (1995) as part of The Beatles Anthology project.
The duet "Home to Us" is therefore a natural extension of their long history of collaboration. It also carries emotional weight, as both musicians are now in their mid-80s and aware of the finite nature of time. Ringo Starr has often spoken about his gratitude for the opportunities music has given him, and McCartney continues to tour and release new material with remarkable energy.
Behind the Lyrics of 'Home to Us'
The lyrics of "Home to Us" are deeply personal. McCartney sings about a childhood home and the journey that took him away from it. The lines reference the Dingle, a rough part of Liverpool where Starr grew up, and the challenges they faced. McCartney has noted that Starr "used to get mugged coming home, because he worked. Even though it was crazy, it was home to us." The song's chorus emphasizes that no matter where life led them, that place remains a part of who they are.
The duet arrangement gives both voices equal prominence. The opening features McCartney and Starr singing together in harmony, with Starr's distinctive voice blending with McCartney's. As the song progresses, they take turns with individual lines, creating a dialogue about memory and belonging. Starr's drumming provides a steady foundation, with subtle fills that echo his Beatles-era style, while McCartney plays bass and piano.
Critics have noted that the song has an intimate, almost conversational quality. It feels like a conversation between two old friends who share a unique history. The production is stripped-down compared to many of McCartney's recent songs, allowing the voices and lyrics to take center stage. It closes with a fade-out that repeats the line "home to us" like a mantra.
Impact and Fan Reactions
The release of "Home to Us" has sparked excitement among Beatles fans worldwide. Social media quickly filled with posts expressing joy at hearing the two icons sing together for the first time. Hashtags like RingoAndPaul and HomeToUs trended on Twitter. Fans have praised the song for its heartfelt lyrics and the natural chemistry between the two musicians. Many have noted that the duet feels like a gift, a reminder of the magic that The Beatles created and the enduring bond between its surviving members.
Music journalists have also weighed in, with several calling it a career highlight for both artists. "It's the culmination of a lifetime of musical brotherhood," wrote one critic. Others have pointed out that the song fits perfectly within the nostalgic theme of The Boys of Dungeon Lane, an album that looks back at McCartney's formative years. The album has received strong reviews, with many praising its warmth and emotional honesty.
Ringo Starr's birthday celebration, where he gave the interview, was itself a newsworthy event. Attendees included celebrities like Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh, and Barbara Bach, Starr's wife. Starr performed a short set with his All-Starr Band, though McCartney did not appear. Nevertheless, the duet announcement dominated entertainment headlines.
Looking Forward
Neither Starr nor McCartney has announced plans for another duet, but both have expressed openness to future collaborations. McCartney is set to embark on a European tour later this year, and Starr's All-Starr Band continues to tour. In the meantime, "Home to Us" stands as a testament to the power of friendship and music. It reminds us that even after decades apart, two musicians who started in a small Liverpool band can still create magic together.
The song is available on streaming platforms and as part of the full album. For those wanting to understand the personal history behind it, the lyrics offer a window into the lives of two men who shaped popular music. As Ringo Starr said, "It's not like we don't know each other." And indeed, their familiarity shines through every note.
Source:MSN News