In the 1960s when the Beatles were, in the eyes of many, ruining the youth of the day, it’s hard to imagine that their inspiration for their planet altering songs came from the establishment themselves. According to Paul McCartney, it came from Hollywood, California and the iconic figure of Fred Astaire. That’s what he is saying as he prepares to release his 23^rd solo studio album called ‘Kisses On The Bottom.’

The compilation’s title is indicative of the album’s collection.  The phrase comes from the album’s opener ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter.’  Originally made a big hit by Fats Waller in 1935.  The song, like all of the others except two are, according to McCartney, “the songs that inspired the songs.” During a recent press interview, McCartney admitted the strong influence of the iconic Astaire even to the point where during the hey day of Beatle-mania, McCartney was asking his tailors “if they could make my jackets like Fred Astaire.” He also admitted to appreciating the Hollywood icon’s underrated subtle voice.

The album, to be released Feb 6^th, was recorded with producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall’s band. The new material features appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder who work on the new songs 'My Valentine' and 'Only Our Hearts'.  The rest of the tracks pay homage to the songs McCartney grew up listening to as his father played them on the living room piano.  The set list, recently released, spotlights a few Sam Cooke songs as well as deep nostalgic tunes like "It's Only a Paper Moon-" a song written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and made popular with versions by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole in the 1940s.

McCartney, who just announced he will perform at the Grammy awards in mid February, also hinted he was in talks to perform at the Summer Olympics in London. Bands including Led Zeppelin have also been rumored to be appearing.

McCartney openly admits that this song collection, call it his sentimental journey, are the basis for many of the Beatles’ classics.  He sighted “Honey Pie” as a direct take-off of Hollywood sentiment and that evidence of these old songs influence on him and John Lennon are evident throughout the Beatles’ career.

Though the album is a reflection of the music McCartney grew up with, his favorite from the album, is one of the new compositions-“My Valentine.” On the only song available for early preview, he teams up with Eric Clapton who improvises a guitar solo that McCartney says was typical for the recording session.  It was this loose “jazzy feel” to the process that McCartney enjoyed the most as he told a world wide webcast audience, “It was very similar to how The Beatles worked. Bring it in, kick it around, and record it.”