Paul McCartney Plays Bass on the Rolling Stones' Foreign Tongues — The Full Story Behind Rock's Greatest Collaboration

July 22, 2026

Paul McCartney Plays Bass on the Rolling Stones' Foreign Tongues — The Full Story Behind Rock's Greatest Collaboration

Paul McCartney is one of the most celebrated musicians in history. He co-wrote some of the most iconic songs ever recorded, sold hundreds of millions of records, and has been knighted by the Crown. And yet, when he got the chance to play bass in The Rolling Stones, he was — by his own admission — absolutely starstruck.

"I just fucking played bass in The Rolling Stones, and I'm a fucking Beatle!" McCartney reportedly exclaimed as he left the studio. It's one of the most endearing quotes in recent rock history, and it tells you everything about the enduring mythology of the Stones.

Here's the full story — plus where to shop official Rolling Stones merch in the UK at Wonderhaul.

Paul McCartney on Foreign Tongues — What Did He Play?

McCartney played bass on two Rolling Stones tracks:

"Bite My Head Off" — from Hackney Diamonds (2023), the Stones' first album of original material in 18 years
"Covered in You" — from Foreign Tongues (2026), the Stones' latest album released earlier this month

Crucially, both tracks were recorded during the same sessions. The band held onto "Covered in You" and saved it for the follow-up record — a detail that makes the McCartney collaboration feel even more deliberate and considered.

Ronnie Wood on McCartney's Reaction: "He Was So Proud of Himself"

In a new interview with Classic Rock, Ronnie Wood revealed just how much the collaboration meant to McCartney — and it's genuinely wholesome.

"He always set it as one of his ambitions, and after he played on Hackney Diamonds he said: 'I played with the Rolling Stones.' He was so proud of himself, you know? And from the same sessions we kept the Covered in You song and used that again."
— Ronnie Wood

Producer Andrew Watt — who helmed both Hackney Diamonds and Foreign Tongues, as well as McCartney's own recent solo album The Boys of Dungeon Lane — also recalled the moment:

"He got to just be the bass player in the band, and he fucking loved it. As I was walking Paul out of the studio, he said, 'I just fucking played bass in The Rolling Stones, and I'm a fucking Beatle!'"
— Andrew Watt

McCartney and the Stones — A Relationship 60 Years in the Making

This isn't the first time McCartney and the Stones have shared a studio. Back in 1967, McCartney contributed backing vocals — alongside John Lennon — to two Stones tracks: "Dandelion" and "We Love You", the latter widely regarded as one of the band's most experimental recordings.

That means it took nearly 60 years for Macca to work with the Stones again in a studio setting. Quite the gap — and quite the return.

The collaboration is a reminder of just how intertwined the histories of these two bands are. Read more about the Stones' remarkable story: The Rolling Stones: History of the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World

What Is Foreign Tongues? The Rolling Stones' 2026 Album Explained

Foreign Tongues is the Rolling Stones' latest studio album, released in July 2026 — the follow-up to 2023's critically acclaimed Hackney Diamonds. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Andrew Watt and features a roster of high-profile collaborators.

The McCartney connection gives the album an extraordinary historical weight: two of the greatest rock acts of all time, united on record, more than half a century after their first collaboration.

For a deeper dive into the Stones' catalogue and legacy, explore our guides:

Will the Rolling Stones Tour in 2026?

The question on every fan's lips. Ronnie Wood says he and Mick Jagger "never stop wanting to play" — but whether a tour materialises depends on Keith Richards.

"Anything's possible. We just, you know, toss a coin and see how it lands. That's the way we've always played it."
— Ronnie Wood

Watch this space. In the meantime, the best way to celebrate the Stones is to wear the merch.

Shop Official Rolling Stones Merch UK — Wonderhaul

Everything at Wonderhaul is officially licensed. Browse the full Rolling Stones collection — from iconic Tongue logo gear to homeware and accessories.

Rolling Stones Bar Stool: Tongue

Rolling Stones Bar Set: Tongue

Official Rolling Stones Tongue Black Beanie Hat

Rolling Stones Tongue Beanie Hat

Rolling Stones Established 1962 Bandana

👉 Browse the Full Rolling Stones Collection at Wonderhaul

A Beatles Fan? Visit Our Sister Site — Beatles Fabdom

Paul McCartney's cameo on Foreign Tongues is a reminder that the Beatles' shadow stretches across every corner of rock history. If you're as passionate about the Fab Four as you are about the Stones, head over to our sister site:

🎸 The Fabdom — Your Home of Everything The Beatles

And while you're here, browse officially licensed Beatles merch at Wonderhaul: