Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s secret feud
When we think of the Beatles, we think about the powerhouse song writing duo that was Lennon & McCartney. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the music legends. A new book by music journalist and close friend of Paul McCartney, Paul Du Noyer, Conversations with McCartney reveals a strong rivalry between the two Beatles.
According to McCartney, there was a sense of competitiveness with Lennon, but this rivalry was “very necessary” to the band’s success. In the book, McCartney explains that when Lennon first heard his 1980 song ‘Coming Up’, he was inspired to create what would be his last album, Double Fantasy. “Apparently John heard it when he was in New York. I saw a John documentary and somebody was saying, ‘I brought this record of Paul’s to John and played it for him.’ John went, ‘Oh f**kin’ hell, the bastard’s done something good! I’ve gotta work!’ I love the idea of forcing him up off his arse.”
McCartney is quick to dispel any rumours of ill will between the two, describing the competition between the two as “friendly.” Either way, their partnership has provided us with some legendary songs, including ‘Yesterday’ which holds the record for the most covered song by other artists.
The friendly rivalry between Lennon & McCartney continued right up until Lennon’s untimely death in 1980. McCartney’s 1982 song ‘Here Today’ was written as a tribute to Lennon in the form of a conversation the duo might have if Lennon were still alive. McCartney says the song still makes him emotional from time to time. In 2004 he told The Guardian, “at least once a tour, that song just gets me. I'm singing it, and I think I'm OK, and I suddenly realise it's very emotional, and John was a great mate and a very important man in my life, and I miss him, you know?”
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