It’s something he and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon[/lastfm] had discussed, but according to [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Paul McCartney[/lastfm], ”I never got round to it because we were writing Sgt. Pepper [or] The White Album.“

It’s an idea he never relinquished. 

After bonding with John over 1930s pop songs, Paul said he dreamed of putting together a collection of their old favorites.

That dream is now a reality with Paul’s new album, the one he says is the album he always wanted to make with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Beatles[/lastfm]. Kisses On The Bottom will be released on February 6 and features 12 covers plus two original songs.

During a press conference last Thursday, Paul talked about the album that was inspired by the soundtrack of his and John’s childhood.

“I wanted to do [music like this] in [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Beatles[/lastfm], [but] every time I came to this album someone else would do it.”  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ringo Starr[/lastfm] did it in 1970 with his Sentimental Journey record. “I kept saying, ‘Well I can’t do it now, it’ll look like I’m jumping on the bandwagon.’ But then I [decided] I’d just do it and not worry about the market.”

According to Paul, the key to the record was “channelling[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Fred Astaire[/lastfm]. We’d [Paul and producer Tommy LiPuma] pull up chords and lyrics … kick it around and record it. I think that’s why I had so much fun doing it. It was just made up on the spot. No preconceived ideas.”

Think it’s far-fetched that [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon [/lastfm]would sign on to such a project? Consider the fact that [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon[/lastfm]‘s first commercially recorded vocal with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Beatles[/lastfm] was the song “Ain’t She Sweet,” written in 1927!

Here are a couple of songs from Paul‘s upcoming album.