As Paul McCartney announces a 14-date US tour and is rumoured to be set to headline Glastonbury festival in the summer too, you cant help but be impressed by his longevity, but just what is his secret?

In a career that has spanned over 60 years Paul’s post-Beatles stock has perhaps never been higher. Interest in the band has risen to the rooftops again following the release of ‘Get Back’ and been buoyed further by a theatrical release for its concert finale, so it is no surprise that with the pandemic seemingly under enough control and his audience safe, that Paul heads back out on the road.

That in itself might be the key to his ability to appear younger than his years and why he has still got the energy of a schoolboy. Paul might attribute this to his vegan diet, and I am sure it plays a part, but he cant deny that over the years that the draw of hitting the road and performing live again is a great motivator too.

Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2017 before the One on One tour McCartney quipped, ““I’ve been doing it for a long time, so my body’s used to this,” and he is not wrong. The average McCartney concert is just about the best value you will get from a rock ticket these days.

Like Springsteen, Paul is known for his marathon shows. Sets will give you over 35 songs and last for 3 hours and still people will feel that their favourite song might not have made the list, such is his vast catalogue of hits, both pre and post Beatles.

But as I set my mind to exactly what makes Paul go on and on like this, it hit me that it’s the competitive streak he is famous for that might hold the answer.

In that same interview with Rolling Stone, Paul was asked about that streak and how it plays out in the planning and execution of those epic live shows, he said:

In the Beatles, we always tried to be the best band in Liverpool. Then we tried to be the best band in England. Then we tried to be the best in the world. It’s just an instinct. But I think what you have to think of, really, is what if you didn’t think like that? Then you’re going to get sloppy. You’re going to think, “Does it matter? I’ll just do a bunch of shit tonight and no one will mind.” So I just like to put it in and don’t phone it in. I suppose that ends up making me competitive.

So in every sense as a peerless performer Paul is competing against himself. Not necessarily the Paul from 50 years ago but maybe even the Paul from last night. You can only imagine the pre-gig pep talk with Rusty, Abe and the rest of the current line-up before hitting the stage, ‘Let’s go lads, lets top last night and give them a night to remember’, any rally cry from a former Beatle would be infectious and get any musician fired up, but those words would also put the fire in Paul too.

It reminds me of a line from one of Paul’s biggest accomplishments with the Beatles, Sgt Pepper. There in ‘It’s Getting Better’ he sang, ‘I have to admit its getting better, a little better all the time’, of course it is Paul, so please don’t lose the desire to keep raising the bar.

Paul hits the road on the first date of his tour in Spokane on April 28 taking in Seattle, Oakland Fenway Park and more before finishing up in East Rutherford on June 16. Tickets for the tour are available through www.paulmccartney.com for those of you lucky enough to live Stateside.