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Although the two legendary musicians have worked together many times since The Beatles broke up in 1970, they had never shared equal vocal billing on the same song. That changed with "Home to Us," the second single from McCartney's 20th solo studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, released by Capitol Records on May 29, 2026.
The song has quickly become one of the album's most talked-about tracks, not only because of its nostalgic message but also because it reunites the last two surviving Beatles in a deeply personal way.
A First in Their Solo Careers
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have remained close collaborators over the years. McCartney has written songs for Starr, played bass and other instruments on his albums, and Starr has contributed drums to several of McCartney's records.
Despite those collaborations, they had never recorded a song in which both shared lead vocal duties throughout the track.
Speaking at his 86th birthday celebration in Beverly Hills, California, Ringo reflected on the milestone.
"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. It's not like we don't know each other."
Ringo also praised his longtime friend and bandmate.
"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."
A Song About Where They Came From
"Home to Us" is a warm, nostalgic pop-rock song that looks back at McCartney and Starr's childhoods in Liverpool before they became international stars.
The opening features both men singing together about "the place we used to live" and remembering the journey that eventually took them around the world.
McCartney explained that the song was inspired by their humble beginnings.
"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."
He also spoke about Ringo's upbringing.
"Ringo was from the Dingle, and that was well hard... Even though it was crazy, it was home to us."
The Dingle, a working-class district in southern Liverpool, had a reputation for being a difficult place to grow up. McCartney himself grew up in nearby Speke and Allerton. Despite the hardships, both men have often spoken fondly about Liverpool and how it shaped them.
A Duet That Happened by Accident
Interestingly, the duet almost never happened.
McCartney originally sent the song to Starr expecting him to play drums and perhaps add a small vocal part.
Ringo misunderstood the request.
Believing McCartney only wanted a brief contribution, he recorded just a couple of chorus lines and sent the track back.
McCartney became concerned that Ringo might not have liked the song, so he called him.
Ringo explained that he thought Paul only wanted him to sing a few lines.
McCartney quickly clarified that he wanted him to sing the entire song.
The misunderstanding turned into inspiration.
Instead of simply adding harmony vocals, the two rearranged the song so they would alternate lead vocals line by line while also singing together during key moments.
The result feels like a conversation between two lifelong friends remembering where they started.
The Musicians Behind the Song
Alongside McCartney on bass and vocals and Starr on drums and vocals, "Home to Us" includes backing vocals from two respected British rock singers:
• Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders
• Sharleen Spiteri of Texas
The song was produced by Andrew Watt, whose recent work with several major rock artists has earned widespread acclaim.
From Beatlemania to Brotherhood
The duet also reflects one of the longest-lasting friendships in popular music.
When Ringo Starr joined The Beatles in August 1962, replacing Pete Best, he immediately formed a strong musical connection with McCartney. Together they became one of rock's greatest rhythm sections.
During Beatlemania, the four Beatles experienced fame unlike anything the music world had seen before.
However, as the 1960s came to an end, internal tensions began affecting the band.
Difficult Years
The White Album sessions in 1968 were especially stressful.
Feeling isolated and unappreciated, Ringo temporarily left the group.
The remaining Beatles famously asked him to return and decorated his drum kit with flowers before he came back.
As the band's creative differences increased, McCartney's perfectionism occasionally caused friction. During some recording sessions, he even played drums himself while Ringo was absent.
The Beatles officially broke up in 1970.
The legal battles that followed created even more tension.
One of the most difficult moments came when Ringo visited Paul's home to ask him to delay the release of his debut solo album, McCartney, so it would not compete with Let It Be.
The conversation turned into an argument, and Ringo later recalled that Paul angrily ordered him to leave.
Repairing Their Friendship
Fortunately, the difficult years did not last forever.
By the early 1970s, McCartney and Starr had begun working together again.
Paul wrote songs for Ringo's successful 1973 album Ringo and contributed performances to several of his records.
Likewise, Ringo appeared on a number of McCartney's solo albums, including Tug of War and Flaming Pie.
The deaths of John Lennon in 1980 and George Harrison in 2001 strengthened their relationship even further.
As the only two surviving Beatles, they share experiences that no one else can fully understand.
Over the years they have continued supporting one another through surprise concert appearances, award ceremonies, and frequent collaborations.
McCartney has often referred to Ringo as his "brother," while Starr has said they remain in regular contact and still enjoy the same humor that carried them through Beatlemania.
A Meaningful Reunion
"Home to Us" is more than another collaboration between two famous musicians.
It represents six decades of friendship, shared memories, difficult moments, forgiveness, and mutual respect.
For Beatles fans, hearing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr sing together as equal partners is both historic and emotional.
The song looks back to the streets of Liverpool where two young musicians dreamed of something bigger, reminding listeners that no matter how extraordinary life becomes, home remains an important part of who we are.
More than sixty years after they first played together, McCartney and Starr continue to make music that celebrates not only their remarkable careers but also the lifelong friendship that survived fame, conflict, and the passage of time.
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