A Living Legend Reflects on the Women Who Rocked His World
At 82, Paul McCartney remains not only a living icon of rock and roll, but a tireless advocate for great music in all its forms. And now, in a heartfelt new interview, McCartney is opening up about the women in rock who’ve inspired him most — artists whose talent, edge, and artistry left a lasting impression on The Beatles’ most melodic voice.
Fans expected the usual names — maybe a few nods to 1960s peers. But what McCartney revealed was a surprisingly diverse and emotional list, spanning generations and genres.
Aretha Franklin — The Voice That Could Do Anything
McCartney started with the Queen of Soul. “Aretha could sing anything,” he said, eyes lighting up. “She could take a Beatles song and make it her own — better, even.”
He was, of course, referring to her cover of “Let It Be,” a version so powerful it brought tears to Paul’s eyes the first time he heard it. “She didn’t just perform songs — she embodied them.”
Stevie Nicks — The Witchy Woman Who Cast a Spell
Next came the ethereal icon of Fleetwood Mac. “Stevie Nicks… there’s no one quite like her,” McCartney said with a smile. “She had this mysterious quality — this kind of magical energy. And the voice… you felt like she was telling your own story.”
He praised her songwriting on tracks like “Landslide” and “Dreams,” calling them “some of the most honest rock songs ever written by anyone, man or woman.”
Chrissie Hynde — Raw, Cool, and Completely Herself
McCartney’s face lit up when he named the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde. “She was tough, but never fake. I loved that about her,” he said. “She didn’t try to be like the blokes. She just was.”
Paul admired her ability to blend vulnerability with strength — something he believes is at the core of true rock and roll.
Debbie Harry — A Punk Queen with Pop Sensibility
Paul then turned to the unforgettable frontwoman of Blondie. “Debbie Harry had this way of being completely cool and totally approachable at the same time,” he recalled. “She helped redefine what a rock star could look and sound like.”
He cited hits like “Heart of Glass” and “Call Me” as groundbreaking, adding, “She made it all seem effortless.”
Taylor Swift — A New Generation’s Rock Poet
In a moment that stunned even longtime fans, McCartney named Taylor Swift as his fifth pick. “She’s one of the best songwriters of the modern era,” he said plainly. “People sometimes forget how much courage it takes to write the way she does — so personal, so sharp.”
Paul shared how the two had met and bonded over songwriting. “She reminds me a bit of myself in the early days — always writing, always evolving.”
A Message to Young Musicians Everywhere
When asked what tied these women together, McCartney didn’t hesitate. “Honesty. Spirit. And a refusal to be anyone but themselves. That’s rock and roll — that’s what it’s always been about.”
At 83, Paul McCartney continues to inspire — not just for his past, but for how deeply he respects the voices shaping the present and future. His list of favorite rock women is more than just a ranking. It’s a love letter to music that dares to be real.