You Say It’s Your Birthday: Paul McCartney’s Personality Type

We break down Sir Paul’s personality type on his 82nd birthday

Paul McCartney is inarguably one of the world’s most brilliant and prolific songwriters. In fact, it is hard to think of one artist whose words and music have touched as many people (and if you don’t believe me, see the perfect little movie Yesterday). In case you have not yet noticed, here is where I confess to being  a dedicated McCartney Stan, who considers hearing Paul play at the Berkeley Greek Theater a life highlight!  

Yet for all his musical genius, world-changing impact, international celebrity, hectic schedule and a knighthood, Sir Paul appears, by all accounts, to be a humble, loyal and kind person. He has long supported charitable causes and prefers an unpretentious country life when he can get away from work. 

So what kind of personality type is Paul McCartney? In honor of Macca’s 82nd birthday this June 18, we attempt to break down his unique personality type, based on his observed behavior over the span of his 60-year public career. 

Paul McCartney is likely an ESFJ personality type  

Known as the “Provider” of the 16 personality types, ESFJs are energized by time with others. They are practical and detail oriented, make decisions based on a strict moral code and are highly organized and productive. Conscientious, sensitive and energetic, ESFJs prioritize their relationships, using their effort and resources to care for others. 

ESFJs are enthusiastic communicators who make great motivational team leaders

Unequivocally, the outgoing fan favorite and most camera-ready Beatle with the press, Paul often served as the band’s lead spokesperson (especially as the band matured). Yet, while they have strong interpersonal skills, ESFJs can also struggle to overcome fixed ideas, accept criticism and be flexible. You can see this on display in HD in the Disney+ / Peter Jackson documentary on The Beatles last concert, Get Back. 

Paul is clearly the band cheerleader and leader at this point in the band’s history, and you see him struggle mightily with his own more rigid code and George and John’s changing ideas about their music and the band itself. ESFJs like a sense of harmony and cooperation around them, which can also be seen here in Paul’s almost desperate efforts at keeping things on the rails as The Beatles were falling apart.  

ESFJs are incredibly loyal and sensitive to the needs of others 

They are highly attuned to their emotional environment and attentive to both the feelings of others and the perception others have of them. Having lost his mother at the tender age of 14, this sense of being a strong provider and keeping  family bonds strong seems to have been a motivating factor for Paul –  and in a very real sense, the Beatles were an extension of his family. 

ESFJs value loyalty and tradition, and usually make their family, partners and friends their priority. Paul had a longstanding and famously beautiful relationship with his first wife Linda (who passed away in 1998, leaving Paul crushed).  He is a dedicated family man – supportive of his children James, Heather, Mary, Beatrice and fashion designer Stella.  Married to Nancy Shevell for 12 years, his latest relationship also seems to be rock solid. 

ESFJs have legendary work ethics 

Paul’s superhuman work focus certainly helped make the Beatles as successful and prolific as they were – in a span of public career that was only about seven years. Years later, bandmate Ringo Starr said as much about Paul’s work drive. Paul’s exhausting tour schedules, from Hamburg Cavern Club days on, are undoubtedly driven by this trait. 

ESFJs tend to be serious and practical, dutifully putting business before pleasure—especially the business of caring for others. You can see this in Rick Rubin’s excellent documentary with Sir Paul, in which Paul describes being the only one to pack provisions for a camping trip that he took with George, during which they wrote their very first song together! Some have described Paul as ruthless when it comes to business, like his move to kick Stuart Sutcliffe out of the band in its early days. But a kinder and truer interpretation is that Stuart’s musicianship was not up to par, and it fell to Paul, as the most responsible, serious-minded person in the band to do the dirty work. 

ESFJs have a strong moral code

This is seen in Paul’s dedication to a number of charitable causes, from anti-landmine campaigns, to children’s disease research and the eradication of poverty. Most notably, he is an advocate for vegetarianism and animal rights (spurred, in part, by his first wife Linda’s work in this area). He continues to support this work today with PETA and other animal welfare organizations. Fun fact: Paul agreed to appear on The Simpsons, only if Lisa became a permanent vegetarian! 

Routines are important to them

ESFJs typically enjoy routine and often keep a regular schedule that allows them to be organized and productive. Paul’s routine, to carve out time for songwriting, has been documented many times in interviews over the years. He has also expressed his admiration for artists who sit down to make art with a workman-like approach, like someone clocking in at the office.

ESFJs have a direct experience of the world

Isabel Briggs, the original co-theorist of Myers Briggs type theory, explained ESFJs as, “primarily concerned with the details of direct experience—their own, that of their friends and acquaintances, even the experience of strangers whose lives happen to touch theirs."

Juxtapose this with this quote from Paul in Music Express in the 1980s: “I don’t examine myself that way. I just am. I just go through it. I just wake in the morning and go to bed at night and whatever happens during the day just happens. I don’t really know how I am. “  

This excellent New Yorker story on the writing of Eleanor Rigby, echoes the same traits on display: Paul describes how he is attuned to others in his world and calls these “little stories” – his songs, just  “happy accidents.”  Much of his songwriting, like creating “Hey Jude” as a lullaby for John Lennon’s son Julian to fall asleep to, or remembering his father’s generation with “Here, There and Everywhere,” seems to reflect that direct, sensitive experience in the world.

So there you have it, our best guess as to Sir Paul’s personality type. While no one can quite explain genius like Paul’s, we can at least try and offer a window into his unique personality traits.

Not sure of your Myers & Briggs type? Take our free TypeFinder ® test here.