Published in · 9 min read · Nov 12, 2019
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I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands lately; or to be more exact, a lot of time with a newborn in my hands. So what do you do with a lot of time when you have no hands? Listen to the Beatles! What better introduction to the world of music for a baby than the the greatest band ever?
Paul and John: From BFFs to (Fr)enemies
Youtube’s recommendation systems quickly locked on to me, showing me endless amounts of facts and gossip about the Beatles. No story is more intriguing than the intricate relationship between John and Paul. They started out as teenage BFFs, skipping school to play tunes in Paul’s dad’s house. True to their BFF pledge, they decided they will share credit for every song they will ever write, hence the official Lennon/McCartney attribution of most Beatles songs. Next, they spend years sleeping in the same rooms, from rundown apartments in Hamburg, playing Rock n’ Roll covers in German nightclubs, up to Beatlemania and finally becoming, well, more famous than Jesus. What started as a teenage friendship, increasingly became a contentious ego driven rivalry which eventually imploded in a bitter divorce-like breakup. Financial disputes, backstabbing accusations, the whole shebang. It breaks one’s heart to see such true love die…
As with any divorce, Paul was no saint, but I found myself particularly resenting John’s eventual public comments post-breakup. He was pretty much all over the place. Some highlights: saying “Paul died musically”, describing Paul’s wedding as a funeral, claiming Paul’s music was good for elevators, and deriding Paul in songs such as “How do you sleep at night?”. Ouch! One of the 80’s interviews with Paul had him admitting how hurtful this was, especially since he knew John’s criticism would stick. If John says he was the real genius of the Beatles, who is anyone to argue? And stick it did — to this day, many fans view John as the artistic force behind the Beatles and Paul as just a kitschy song writer. How frustrating it must have been to need to defend your own contribution to the undisputed greatest band of all times…
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the field of music history and the Beatles, I can confidently discuss the intricate relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, shedding light on the dynamics that shaped one of the greatest musical partnerships in history. My knowledge extends beyond the surface-level facts and gossip presented in the article you mentioned, allowing me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved.
First and foremost, the reference to the official Lennon/McCartney attribution of most Beatles songs reflects the initial commitment the two made as teenage friends to share credit for every song they wrote. This collaborative spirit played a pivotal role in the early success of the band, with both musicians contributing their unique talents to create timeless classics.
The article touches on the evolution of their relationship, from being teenage best friends who skipped school to play music together to the heights of Beatlemania. This trajectory mirrors the transformation of their friendship into a more strained and ego-driven rivalry, ultimately leading to a bitter breakup akin to a divorce. Financial disputes and backstabbing accusations are mentioned, underscoring the challenges that arose during the dissolution of the Beatles.
The author also highlights John Lennon's post-breakup comments, which ranged from asserting his dominance in the band to making derogatory remarks about Paul McCartney's musical abilities. This public fallout added a layer of complexity to their already strained relationship, with John positioning himself as the artistic force behind the Beatles. The impact of John's comments on Paul's reputation and the enduring perception of him as a "kitschy" songwriter is a testament to the lasting influence of these statements.
In essence, the narrative presented in the article reflects the intricate and multifaceted nature of creative collaborations, especially one as iconic as Lennon and McCartney's partnership in the Beatles. The highs and lows, from teenage camaraderie to bitter disputes, contribute to the enduring fascination with the dynamics between these two musical geniuses.
