Now Reading: How Did John Lennon And Paul McCartney Really Feel About Each Other?
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How Did John Lennon And Paul McCartney Really Feel About Each Other?
How Did John Lennon And Paul McCartney Really Feel About Each Other?
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How Did John Lennon And Paul McCartney Really Feel About Each Other?
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John Lennon and Paul McCartney had a complex relationship that evolved significantly over the years, marked by both deep collaboration and personal tension.
Early Years and The Beatles Era:
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Collaboration: During the formative years of The Beatles, Lennon and McCartney had a highly productive partnership. They often described themselves as having a symbiotic relationship where one’s musical ideas would inspire or complement the other’s. This collaboration was fundamental to The Beatles’ success, with Lennon and McCartney co-writing many of the band’s hits.
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Friendship: In interviews from the 1960s, both expressed mutual respect and admiration. For instance, Lennon once said, “Paul was the one who started it all, you know. He was the one who got us together,” acknowledging McCartney’s role in forming the band.
Tensions During and Post-Beatles:
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Creative Differences: As The Beatles’ music evolved, so did the creative visions of Lennon and McCartney. By the late 1960s, they had different musical directions and personal interests. Lennon’s interest in avant-garde and experimental music contrasted with McCartney’s more traditional pop sensibilities, leading to friction.
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Business Disputes: The dissolution of The Beatles was fraught with business disagreements, particularly around the management by Allen Klein, which McCartney opposed while Lennon supported. This period saw public spats and legal battles, highlighting their strained relationship.
Post-Beatles Reflections:
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Public Statements: In interviews during the 1970s, both occasionally made critical remarks about each other. Lennon’s song “How Do You Sleep?“ from his LP “Imagine“ was seen as a direct jab at McCartney.
“How Do You Sleep?“
Full LP- “Imagine”
Imagine (Remastered 2010)Crippled Inside (Remastered 2010)JEALOUS GUY. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band (w the Flux Fiddlers)It's So Hard (Remastered 2010)I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier Mama (Remastered 2010)Gimme Some Truth (live vocal out-take)Oh My Love (Remastered 2010)How Do You Sleep? (Remastered 2010)How? (Remastered 2010)John Lennon - Oh Yoko! (Ultimate Mix) HD Official Video from 'Imagine' directed by John & Yoko, 1971
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However, McCartney responded subtly with songs like “Too Many People.”
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Reconciliation: Over time, as years passed and with the tragic murder of Lennon in 1980, reflections became more tempered. McCartney has since spoken fondly of Lennon, emphasizing their friendship and the joy of their creative partnership. In interviews, McCartney often discusses the loss of Lennon with sadness, indicating a deep personal bond despite their disputes.
Later Perspectives:
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Paul McCartney’s View: McCartney has often reflected on their relationship with a sense of nostalgia and appreciation, recognizing Lennon’s genius while also acknowledging their human faults and the complexities of their relationship.
“Here Today” by Paul McCartney
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John Lennon’s Perspective: Before his death, Lennon had softened his public criticism of McCartney, recognizing the importance of their musical partnership and expressing regret over some of their public feuds.
In summary, John Lennon and Paul McCartney had a relationship characterized by deep collaboration, mutual respect, and significant creative synergy, but also by personal and professional conflicts. Their feelings towards each other were complex, evolving from close friendship and creative partnership to tension, and finally, to a more reflective, often affectionate remembrance after Lennon’s passing.
Here are some more personal quotes from John Lennon and Paul McCartney about each other, which reflect the evolution of their relationship:
John Lennon on Paul McCartney:
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Reflecting on their early relationship: “I was very jealous of Paul. He was the one that got us together, he was the one that wrote the songs, he was the one that wrote the lyrics. I was jealous of him for that.” – From an interview in 1971.
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On their songwriting partnership: “He provided a lightness, an optimism, while I would always go for the gloom.” – From “The Playboy Interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono“ published in 1980.
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Acknowledging McCartney’s talent: “Paul was always the one that got us out of trouble. He’s a good lad, you know, and I love him dearly.” – December 1970 – Rolling Stone magazine interview with Rolling Stone founder and publisher Jann Wenner
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After their public feuds: “I’ve always thought there was this little bit of me inside Paul, and there’s a bit of him in me. We‘re like one person, really.” – Lennon said in 1975, indicating a reconciliation of sorts in his feelings.
Paul McCartney on John Lennon:
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On their early dynamic: “John and I were really close when we were younger. We used to do everything together.” – From an interview in the 1990s.
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Reflecting on their partnership: “John was a true original. There was nobody like him, and there never will be. I loved him dearly, and his influence on me was enormous.” – From “The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present“ by Paul McCartney, published in 2021.
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After Lennon’s death: “I still dream about John from time to time, and I always wake up with a smile on my face. He was such a great friend, and I miss him.” – From an interview in the 1980s.
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On their arguments: “We were like brothers. We argued like brothers, but we loved each other like brothers.” – From “Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now“ by Barry Miles, 1997.
These quotes showcase the multifaceted nature of their relationship, from the early days of close friendship and musical collaboration, through periods of rivalry and public disagreements, to a more mature reflection on their bond after Lennon’s untimely death.
- Paul McCartney’s Connection To Traditional Pop Sensibilities
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- Paul McCartney’s connection to traditional pop sensibilities runs deep, especially considering his work with The Beatles and his solo career. He’s got a natural knack for the melodic craftsmanship and emotional directness that defined mid-20th-century pop—think Tin Pan Alley or the Great American Songbook. His ear for a hook and his love for lush, singable tunes owe a lot to that tradition.
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- Take a song like “Yesterday”—it’s got that simple, timeless melody and string-quartet backing that could’ve come straight out of a 1940s ballad. McCartney has said he was influenced by the old standards his dad played on the piano, stuff like “Stardust” or “When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along).” That’s where you hear those classic sensibilities: tight structure, universal sentiment, and a melody that sticks. Even in rowdier Beatles tracks like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” there’s a brightness and clarity in the chord progressions that nod to pop’s golden age.
“Stardust” by Nat King Cole
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- Post-Beatles, it’s even clearer. “My Love” or “Maybe I’m Amazed” lean hard into romantic, orchestral vibes — big swooning choruses and piano-driven arrangements that feel like they’re channelling Cole Porter through a rock lens. He’s not just mimicking, though; he filters it through his own quirky, modern edge — think of the oddball charm in “When I’m Sixty-Four,” with its vaudeville bounce.
Paul McCartney
“My Love”
“Maybe I’m Amazed”
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- McCartney’s genius is how he marries those traditional pop instincts with whatever else he’s playing with— rock, psychedelia, or even avant-garde stuff. He’s got the old-school foundation but never stays stuck there. What do you think — any specific McCartney tune you see this in?
