Paul McCartney’s Mixed Feelings About John Lennon’s Solo Work
Paul McCartney has shared his candid opinions on John Lennon’s solo music, revealing that after The Beatles disbanded, he only truly liked one of Lennon’s songs. This admission highlights the complex relationship between two of the most iconic figures in music history.
After The Beatles officially ended in 1970, each member pursued their own path. Paul McCartney became a major force in the music industry, releasing 19 albums as a solo artist and also working with his band Wings and the project The Fireman. Meanwhile, John Lennon released his debut solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, which marked the beginning of his solo career. His follow-up, Imagine (1971), was particularly well-received, even by McCartney.
In an interview with Sounds magazine, McCartney said, “I liked Imagine, I didn’t like the others much.” At the time, the two were at odds, often criticizing each other's work publicly. John once called McCartney’s first solo album “rubbish,” and the tension between them influenced their music. McCartney wrote Too Many People, while John responded with How Do You Sleep?, showcasing their rivalry.
Despite this, McCartney admitted to disliking the political themes in some of Lennon’s later works. He remarked, “There’s so much political s--- on at the moment that I tend to play them through once to see if there's anything I can pinch.” However, this did not stop him from writing politically charged songs himself. In 1972, he and his wife Linda wrote Give Ireland Back To The Irish, a response to the events of Bloody Sunday. This song was considered his first overtly political piece and was performed by Wings.
More recently, McCartney released People Want Peace in 2018, inspired by the Israel-Palestine conflict. During a BBC Radio 2 interview, he reaffirmed his admiration for Imagine, calling it a classic, and also praised other Lennon tracks like Instant Karma and Beautiful Boy.
A Complex Relationship
Although their relationship had its ups and downs, Paul and John eventually found common ground and shared mutual respect before John’s death in New York City in 1980. Author Ian Leslie, who explored their dynamic in his book, believes that despite their disagreements, they never stopped caring for each other.
Leslie told The Mirror US, “They never stopped respecting each other as songwriters. And they always missed each other as creative partners.” He added, “I think they just missed each other in that sense.”
However, mending their friendship proved difficult. By the time they tried to reconnect, they had their own families, legal issues, and lived in different countries. These factors made it hard for them to rekindle their old bond. Leslie noted, “It was very hard by that stage. They couldn’t kind of re-establish their old friendship.”
Still, there were signs that they were trying to figure things out and were moving toward collaboration again. Unfortunately, John passed away shortly after their reunion. Leslie believes they could have worked together again if John had lived, but he also acknowledges that “they would never have recaptured their old fluency and intimacy.” He explained that this connection was deeply rooted in their time together as The Beatles, where they spent all their time creating music.
Legacy of a Friendship
Their story remains one of the most fascinating in music history. While their paths diverged, the impact of their collaboration and the depth of their relationship continue to be studied and celebrated. Even though they may never have fully reconciled, their influence on each other and on the world of music is undeniable.