John Lennon and the rest of The Beatles were the subject of fan obsession for years. Even today, The Beatles have fans who love to discuss and defend the band. Lennon was always appreciative of his fans, as they buoyed his success. Still, he couldn’t defend some of their behavior. He shared the type of fan he did not like to see at the band’s shows.
John Lennon found a fan irritating at a concert
The Beatles played their shows behind barriers and police protection in order to keep them safe from anyone who might storm the stage. Still, some people managed to get close to the band. Lennon recalled one show in which a fan stole his hat, which he found incredibly frustrating.
“It [the San Francisco show] was wild. Some little lad got my hat,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Somebody like him doesn’t really care about the show anyway,...
John Lennon found a fan irritating at a concert
The Beatles played their shows behind barriers and police protection in order to keep them safe from anyone who might storm the stage. Still, some people managed to get close to the band. Lennon recalled one show in which a fan stole his hat, which he found incredibly frustrating.
“It [the San Francisco show] was wild. Some little lad got my hat,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Somebody like him doesn’t really care about the show anyway,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Beatles producer George Martin worked with the band extensively on each of their albums. He got to know the band and their working style well as they grew as artists. While he was typically happy to see their growth, he said they began taking too many creative liberties beginning with one album. He shared why this became a problem for the group.
George Martin said The Beatles lost focus on one album
In 1967, The Beatles pushed the limits of what was possible with an album when they released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They continued to push boundaries with their later albums, which Martin viewed as a problem.
“During Magical Mystery Tour I became conscious that the freedom that we’d achieved in Pepper was getting a little bit over the top, and they weren’t really exerting enough mental discipline in a lot of the recordings,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
George Martin said The Beatles lost focus on one album
In 1967, The Beatles pushed the limits of what was possible with an album when they released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They continued to push boundaries with their later albums, which Martin viewed as a problem.
“During Magical Mystery Tour I became conscious that the freedom that we’d achieved in Pepper was getting a little bit over the top, and they weren’t really exerting enough mental discipline in a lot of the recordings,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 3/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Many of the songs John Lennon wrote for the Beatles were introspective. He wrote about his feelings and relationships, both with his first wife, Cynthia, and Yoko Ono. In 1964, he wrote the song “If I Fell” about an affair. The original lyrics were a bit harsher on the betrayed partner in the song than in the final version.
John Lennon toned down the lyrics of a Beatles song
In 1964, Lennon wrote the ballad “If I Fell.” Lennon admitted it was semi-autobiographical.
“That’s my first attempt at a ballad proper,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “That was the precursor to ‘In My Life.’ It has the same chord sequences as ‘In My Life’: D and B minor and E minor, those kind of things. And it’s semi-autobiographical, but not consciously. It...
John Lennon toned down the lyrics of a Beatles song
In 1964, Lennon wrote the ballad “If I Fell.” Lennon admitted it was semi-autobiographical.
“That’s my first attempt at a ballad proper,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “That was the precursor to ‘In My Life.’ It has the same chord sequences as ‘In My Life’: D and B minor and E minor, those kind of things. And it’s semi-autobiographical, but not consciously. It...
- 3/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney wrote a large portion of The Beatles’ songs based on a variety of his personal experiences. “Let It Be” came to him after having a dream about his mother and he wrote “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” after a fan did just that. Beatles associate Alistair Taylor believed McCartney wrote a different Beatles song after a seemingly paranormal experience.
Paul McCartney wrote a Beatles song after a strange experience
In 1967, McCartney and Taylor were walking McCartney’s dog Martha in the morning. As they turned to look for Martha, they realized a man was behind them.
“We turned round to go and suddenly there he was standing behind us,” Taylor said, per the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “He was a middle-aged man, very respectably dressed in a belted raincoat. Nothing in that, you may think,...
Paul McCartney wrote a Beatles song after a strange experience
In 1967, McCartney and Taylor were walking McCartney’s dog Martha in the morning. As they turned to look for Martha, they realized a man was behind them.
“We turned round to go and suddenly there he was standing behind us,” Taylor said, per the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “He was a middle-aged man, very respectably dressed in a belted raincoat. Nothing in that, you may think,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison wrote the majority of The Beatles’ songs. While Lennon and McCartney were the primary writers in The Beatles’ early years, Harrison made more contributions later on. They were all competitive with one another, which typically pushed their creative output. Still, Lennon claimed the competition between them led McCartney and Lennon to resent him.
John Lennon said Paul McCartney and George Harrison resented his creativity
In the mid-1960s, Lennon said he dealt with a creative slump. He pulled back his songwriting contributions, but he continued writing more in the later years of the decade. One of the songs he was excited about in 1968 was “Revolution.” Harrison and McCartney didn’t seem to share the sentiment.
“When George and Paul and all of them were on holiday, I made ‘Revolution’ which is on the LP,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “I wanted to...
John Lennon said Paul McCartney and George Harrison resented his creativity
In the mid-1960s, Lennon said he dealt with a creative slump. He pulled back his songwriting contributions, but he continued writing more in the later years of the decade. One of the songs he was excited about in 1968 was “Revolution.” Harrison and McCartney didn’t seem to share the sentiment.
“When George and Paul and all of them were on holiday, I made ‘Revolution’ which is on the LP,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “I wanted to...
- 2/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon gave one of the most renowned Playboy interviews of all time. The interview is partly famous because the “Imagine” singer died shortly after giving it and partly because it’s incredible. Of course, John often dismissed his great projects. Here’s a look at what he thought of the interview and why the interview continues to have relevance for Beatles fans and fans of rock ‘n’ roll in general.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono had the same reaction to John’s final Playboy interview
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980 conducted by David Sheff. In the book’s epilogue, Sheff discusses talking with John after the interview. “I spoke to him once on the telephone after that,” he said. “I called a number within The Dakota when the main telephones were out. John never answered the telephone,...
John Lennon and Yoko Ono had the same reaction to John’s final Playboy interview
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980 conducted by David Sheff. In the book’s epilogue, Sheff discusses talking with John after the interview. “I spoke to him once on the telephone after that,” he said. “I called a number within The Dakota when the main telephones were out. John never answered the telephone,...
- 2/24/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney wrote “Hello, Goodbye” in 1967. The song became a non-album single and has endured as one of their better-known hits. At this stage in The Beatles’ career, McCartney and John Lennon were writing separately, but McCartney still had a bit of help on the song. He was trying to teach songwriting to Alistair Taylor when he got the idea for “Hello, Goodbye.”
Paul McCartney wrote ‘Hello, Goodbye’ during a songwriting lesson
Taylor, who was the assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asked McCartney how he wrote songs. At this point, McCartney had become an incredibly prolific writer. The Beatles were at their peak, and he had written countless hits for the band. McCartney took the question as an opportunity to give Taylor a songwriting lesson at the harmonium in his living room.
He instructed Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said: black, white; stop, go; yes, no.
Paul McCartney wrote ‘Hello, Goodbye’ during a songwriting lesson
Taylor, who was the assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asked McCartney how he wrote songs. At this point, McCartney had become an incredibly prolific writer. The Beatles were at their peak, and he had written countless hits for the band. McCartney took the question as an opportunity to give Taylor a songwriting lesson at the harmonium in his living room.
He instructed Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said: black, white; stop, go; yes, no.
- 2/17/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Abbey Road was the final album The Beatles recorded and was a relatively pleasant studio experience for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Recording The White Album and Let It Be had been contentious and challenging. While the recording process for Abbey Road was smoother, not everything was perfect. Lennon walked away unhappy with a significant portion of the record.
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were on decidedly chilly terms. They insulted one another in interviews and songs and rarely saw one another. Several years after the breakup, though, much of their anger had waned. According to Lennon’s girlfriend, May Pang, he considered reuniting with McCartney to write music.
John Lennon considered reuniting with Paul McCartney in the 1970s
After the vitriolic Beatles break up, Lennon and McCartney steered clear of each other. McCartney said that anytime he attempted to reach out to his former bandmate over the phone, he was met with nothing but anger.
By 1973, though, neither felt nearly as angry. According to Lennon’s girlfriend, May Pang, McCartney and his wife Linda visited them often.
“Paul and Linda would visit us whenever we were [in New York],” she told Cultural Sonar. “Well, they said that they were going to New Orleans to record their new album.
John Lennon considered reuniting with Paul McCartney in the 1970s
After the vitriolic Beatles break up, Lennon and McCartney steered clear of each other. McCartney said that anytime he attempted to reach out to his former bandmate over the phone, he was met with nothing but anger.
By 1973, though, neither felt nearly as angry. According to Lennon’s girlfriend, May Pang, McCartney and his wife Linda visited them often.
“Paul and Linda would visit us whenever we were [in New York],” she told Cultural Sonar. “Well, they said that they were going to New Orleans to record their new album.
- 1/11/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 2021, Julian and Sean Lennon attended the premiere of The Beatles: Get Back together. Though the half-brothers are over 10 years apart in age and were raised by different mothers, they have a solid relationship. Julian Lennon explained that while he didn’t particularly want to attend the Get Back premiere, he did it to support Sean.
Julian and Sean Lennon did not want to go to the ‘Get Back’ premiere
When Get Back premiered, Lennon’s two sons, naturally, received an invite to the screening. Sean did not particularly want to go, but he felt he had to. Julian, who did not want to go either, told his brother he would attend with him.
“Sean didn’t really want to go to the Get Back premiere,” Julian told Esquire in 2023. “He felt overwhelming pressure. And I didn’t particularly want to go. But he said he felt obligated to go,...
Julian and Sean Lennon did not want to go to the ‘Get Back’ premiere
When Get Back premiered, Lennon’s two sons, naturally, received an invite to the screening. Sean did not particularly want to go, but he felt he had to. Julian, who did not want to go either, told his brother he would attend with him.
“Sean didn’t really want to go to the Get Back premiere,” Julian told Esquire in 2023. “He felt overwhelming pressure. And I didn’t particularly want to go. But he said he felt obligated to go,...
- 12/20/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In a glorious moment, John Lennon‘s “Give Peace a Chance” was performed when the Berlin Wall fell. That was only one of many historical events connected to the song. Paul McCartney connected a psychedelic Beatles song to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was performed at the Tiananmen Square protests
David Sheff conducted an interview in 1980 that became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. For a 2020 reprint of the book, Sheff wrote an essay commenting on John and Yoko’s legacy. “Like millions of others, I still grieve John’s death, but he lives on in his music and his and Yoko’s message, which are as relevant today as they ever were — maybe more,” Sheff opined.
“John’s song ‘Imagine’ and his and Yoko’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ have become...
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was performed at the Tiananmen Square protests
David Sheff conducted an interview in 1980 that became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. For a 2020 reprint of the book, Sheff wrote an essay commenting on John and Yoko’s legacy. “Like millions of others, I still grieve John’s death, but he lives on in his music and his and Yoko’s message, which are as relevant today as they ever were — maybe more,” Sheff opined.
“John’s song ‘Imagine’ and his and Yoko’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ have become...
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Yoko Ono said her relationship with John Lennon was “a long roller-coaster.” Yoko said she and the “Imagine” singer giggled often while they were making two of his albums. One of those albums became a tremendous success. The other only produced one hit.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono had a great time making ‘Double Fantasy’ and ‘Milk and ‘Honey’
David Sheff interviewed John and Yoko in 1980. His interview appeared in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In a 2020 introduction to the book, he discussed meeting up with Yoko long after John’s death.
“Years later, I reminisced with her about that time,” Sheff wrote. “She still got teary-eyed over John, though she had a full and productive life again. When we talked about that summer, she got a big smile. “‘The making of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey was a great time for us,...
John Lennon and Yoko Ono had a great time making ‘Double Fantasy’ and ‘Milk and ‘Honey’
David Sheff interviewed John and Yoko in 1980. His interview appeared in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In a 2020 introduction to the book, he discussed meeting up with Yoko long after John’s death.
“Years later, I reminisced with her about that time,” Sheff wrote. “She still got teary-eyed over John, though she had a full and productive life again. When we talked about that summer, she got a big smile. “‘The making of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey was a great time for us,...
- 12/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Yoko Ono hoped one of John Lennon‘s songs would hit No. 1 on the pop charts. Sadly, it reached that milestone after John’s tragic death. A reporter revealed what John was thinking in the final days of his life.
This John Lennon song was projected to become a No. 1 single
David Sheff famously interviewed John and Yoko Ono for Playboy in 1980. He wrote about the experience in a 2020 forward to the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. “I completed the interview in early September, and it was scheduled to be released in mid-December,” he said. “When, on December 6, [Playboy executive editor] Barry [Golson] got a hot-off-the-press advance copy of the magazine, he messengered it to The Dakota [Apartments, where John and Yoko lived].
“John and Yoko called me in Los Angeles the next day,” Sheff added. “Yoko was pleased with the interview, and she reported they were thrilled that the first single from Double Fantasy,...
This John Lennon song was projected to become a No. 1 single
David Sheff famously interviewed John and Yoko Ono for Playboy in 1980. He wrote about the experience in a 2020 forward to the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. “I completed the interview in early September, and it was scheduled to be released in mid-December,” he said. “When, on December 6, [Playboy executive editor] Barry [Golson] got a hot-off-the-press advance copy of the magazine, he messengered it to The Dakota [Apartments, where John and Yoko lived].
“John and Yoko called me in Los Angeles the next day,” Sheff added. “Yoko was pleased with the interview, and she reported they were thrilled that the first single from Double Fantasy,...
- 12/9/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ influence can be seen in the most unexpected places. A John Lennon songs inspired a movie starring Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell. A journalist who famously spoke with John discussed how this happened. He also revealed the role John’s song played in his life.
A journalist saw John Lennon sing a song to his son, Sean Ono Lennon
David Sheff conducted the interview that forms the bulk of the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In 2020, he contributed an essay to a new version of the book discussing his experiences with John. In his essay, Sheff discussed his memories of watching John playing “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” in the studio. As John played it, Sheff could see the singer’s eyes sparkle.
Sheff later saw John play “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” to his son, Sean Ono Lennon. Sheff...
A journalist saw John Lennon sing a song to his son, Sean Ono Lennon
David Sheff conducted the interview that forms the bulk of the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In 2020, he contributed an essay to a new version of the book discussing his experiences with John. In his essay, Sheff discussed his memories of watching John playing “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” in the studio. As John played it, Sheff could see the singer’s eyes sparkle.
Sheff later saw John play “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” to his son, Sean Ono Lennon. Sheff...
- 12/8/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Classic rock stars were the subject of every mean or ridiculous rumor imaginable. Outsiders accused John Lennon and Yoko Ono of not loving each other. A journalist who spoke with both of them refuted this idea. Furthermore, John had plenty to say about the situation himself.
A reporter said John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship gets ‘dissected’
David Sheff famously interviewed John for Playboy. His interview became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In 2020, he contributed an essay that discussed John and Yoko’s romance to a reprint of the book.
“Forty years after John’s death, his and Yoko’s relationship continues to be dissected, some claiming that the happiness John and Yoko showed to the world — to me — was a fiction,” he wrote. “It wasn’t. I witnessed the joy and love between them. I’ve never...
A reporter said John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship gets ‘dissected’
David Sheff famously interviewed John for Playboy. His interview became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In 2020, he contributed an essay that discussed John and Yoko’s romance to a reprint of the book.
“Forty years after John’s death, his and Yoko’s relationship continues to be dissected, some claiming that the happiness John and Yoko showed to the world — to me — was a fiction,” he wrote. “It wasn’t. I witnessed the joy and love between them. I’ve never...
- 12/8/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Classic rock is so pervasive that it influenced artists who don’t make rock music in any way, shape, or form. John Lennon’s songs generally weren’t as sentimental as Celine Dion’s. However, one of John’s later tracks is so emotional that it works in Dion’s hands. Her version did significantly better in the United States than the original.
John Lennon wrote 1 of his songs for his son, Sean Ono Lennon
Dion and John might appear to be polar opposites as artists. Regardless, John was a balladeer at times. His last album, Double Fantasy, includes the ballad “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy).” Dion later covered the tune during the early 2000s.
In 2020, David Sheff contributed an essay to the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Sheff discussed hearing John sing the tune for his son, Sean Ono Lennon.
John Lennon wrote 1 of his songs for his son, Sean Ono Lennon
Dion and John might appear to be polar opposites as artists. Regardless, John was a balladeer at times. His last album, Double Fantasy, includes the ballad “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy).” Dion later covered the tune during the early 2000s.
In 2020, David Sheff contributed an essay to the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Sheff discussed hearing John sing the tune for his son, Sean Ono Lennon.
- 12/7/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In his time with The Beatles, Paul McCartney wrote many hit songs. Together, he and John Lennon made their mark on songwriting history. McCartney said that one of the songs he wrote without any of Lennon’s assistance was one of the top songs of the century. Still, he said that its release was a bit disappointing.
Paul McCartney said a Beatles song he wrote was the song of the century
One of The Beatles’ most famous songs is “Yesterday,” which came to McCartney in a dream. Because of this, he assumed he couldn’t have actually come up with it. When he realized it was an original melody, he set to work writing lyrics. This made the song’s massive success felt even more thrilling.
“It was my most successful song. It’s amazing that it just came to me in a dream,” he said in The Beatles Anthology.
Paul McCartney said a Beatles song he wrote was the song of the century
One of The Beatles’ most famous songs is “Yesterday,” which came to McCartney in a dream. Because of this, he assumed he couldn’t have actually come up with it. When he realized it was an original melody, he set to work writing lyrics. This made the song’s massive success felt even more thrilling.
“It was my most successful song. It’s amazing that it just came to me in a dream,” he said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 12/4/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon gave countless interviews in his lifetime and admitted that he sometimes lied to journalists. Some of his lies served to amuse himself, and others distracted from persistent lines of questioning. Journalists constantly asked him about the process of writing songs with Paul McCartney. Lennon grew sick of this, so he began to spread the mistruth that he had never really written with McCartney.
John Lennon revealed that he lied about his writing process
During The Beatles’ early years, Lennon and McCartney sat in a room together in close collaboration on songs. As their years in the band wore on, their partnership grew more fraught. Because of this, Lennon began lying and telling people they had never actually written together.
“I said that, but I was lying. [Laughs],” Lennon said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff.
John Lennon revealed that he lied about his writing process
During The Beatles’ early years, Lennon and McCartney sat in a room together in close collaboration on songs. As their years in the band wore on, their partnership grew more fraught. Because of this, Lennon began lying and telling people they had never actually written together.
“I said that, but I was lying. [Laughs],” Lennon said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff.
- 11/18/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon met as teenagers, years before they became international superstars. While it didn’t initially seem that they had much in common — McCartney admitted that he found Lennon frightening — they got along. Through their obsessions with music, they formed a friendship that invigorated Lennon.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon clicked when they wrote together
Lennon and McCartney met at a church festival. Lennon and his band, the Quarrymen, had performed to an audience that included McCartney. He was impressed enough with Lennon’s talent and showmanship that he had to introduce himself afterward.
From there, they became fast friends and collaborators. McCartney would meet with Lennon over lunch, and they worked on music together.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
“Paul would have a school notebook and he’d be scribbling down words,” Lennon’s classmate Helen Anderson said...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon clicked when they wrote together
Lennon and McCartney met at a church festival. Lennon and his band, the Quarrymen, had performed to an audience that included McCartney. He was impressed enough with Lennon’s talent and showmanship that he had to introduce himself afterward.
From there, they became fast friends and collaborators. McCartney would meet with Lennon over lunch, and they worked on music together.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
“Paul would have a school notebook and he’d be scribbling down words,” Lennon’s classmate Helen Anderson said...
- 11/18/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Of all The Beatles, Paul McCartney was the most invested on keeping their career on track. He called his bandmates to get them in the studio and kept John Lennon focused. In the band’s earliest days together, he also stood out on the stage. According to another musician who played shows in Hamburg, Germany, with The Beatles, McCartney was clearly the most skilled musician in the group.
Paul McCartney outshone his bandmates in the early days of The Beatles, said another artist
One of the biggest turning points in The Beatles’ early career came when they began playing shows in Hamburg. They grew tremendously as musicians and performers because they had to learn how to keep the audience’s attention.
“They had to be good,” musician Frank Dostall said in the book Paul McCartney: The Life by Philip Norman, “or else the customers just left and went to the...
Paul McCartney outshone his bandmates in the early days of The Beatles, said another artist
One of the biggest turning points in The Beatles’ early career came when they began playing shows in Hamburg. They grew tremendously as musicians and performers because they had to learn how to keep the audience’s attention.
“They had to be good,” musician Frank Dostall said in the book Paul McCartney: The Life by Philip Norman, “or else the customers just left and went to the...
- 11/15/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the decades since The Beatles’ break up and John Lennon’s death, Paul McCartney has never lost the value he placed on his bandmate’s opinion. While Lennon and McCartney’s relationship wasn’t always perfect, they had a successful working partnership for years. McCartney revealed that even to this day, he considers what Lennon would think of a song before he releases it.
Paul McCartney said he still considers what John Lennon would think about a song
In the four decades since Lennon’s death, McCartney has released a good deal of music. Lennon, of course, did not contribute to these albums, but McCartney said his opinion still mattered. If McCartney can imagine his former bandmate rolling his eyes at an overly sentimental lyric, he’ll rewrite it.
“Often I’ll sort of refer… ‘What would John think of this? He’d have thought it was too soppy,...
Paul McCartney said he still considers what John Lennon would think about a song
In the four decades since Lennon’s death, McCartney has released a good deal of music. Lennon, of course, did not contribute to these albums, but McCartney said his opinion still mattered. If McCartney can imagine his former bandmate rolling his eyes at an overly sentimental lyric, he’ll rewrite it.
“Often I’ll sort of refer… ‘What would John think of this? He’d have thought it was too soppy,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon took a hands-off approach to raising his son Julian, but he threw himself into his second son Sean’s upbringing. Yoko Ono told Lennon he would bear primary responsibility for raising their son, and he wholeheartedly agreed. He took his role as father seriously and was highly concerned about Sean’s health. Lennon didn’t even want people touching his son for the first months of his life.
John Lennon didn’t want anybody touching his son, Sean
Shortly after Sean’s birth in 1975, Lennon called his lawyer, Leon Wildes.
“‘It’s John. I’m a father,'” Wildes recalled him saying, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “He was ecstatic, bouncing around his room as he spoke.”
Lennon was highly protective of his young son.
“In the months following the birth John allowed very few visitors to the Dakota,” Coleman wrote. “He was afraid they might spread germs.
John Lennon didn’t want anybody touching his son, Sean
Shortly after Sean’s birth in 1975, Lennon called his lawyer, Leon Wildes.
“‘It’s John. I’m a father,'” Wildes recalled him saying, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “He was ecstatic, bouncing around his room as he spoke.”
Lennon was highly protective of his young son.
“In the months following the birth John allowed very few visitors to the Dakota,” Coleman wrote. “He was afraid they might spread germs.
- 10/20/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Julian Lennon was the first Beatles child and the inspiration for several songs, including “Hey Jude.” Paul McCartney wrote the song for him in the midst of John Lennon’s tumultuous divorce from Cynthia Lennon. “Hey Jude” is a classic Beatles song. While Julian says he likes it, it also reminds him of a dark period in his family’s history.
Julian Lennon said ‘Hey Jude’ brings up bad memories
Not long after Lennon told Cynthia he’d cheated on her multiple times and insisted he wanted to make their marriage work, she came home to find him sitting in a bathrobe with Yoko Ono. This was a fatal blow to their marriage, and they divorced. The split devastated Cynthia and put a great deal of distance between the three-year-old Julian and his father.
McCartney was the only Beatle who stayed in contact with Cynthia after the divorce. He decided...
Julian Lennon said ‘Hey Jude’ brings up bad memories
Not long after Lennon told Cynthia he’d cheated on her multiple times and insisted he wanted to make their marriage work, she came home to find him sitting in a bathrobe with Yoko Ono. This was a fatal blow to their marriage, and they divorced. The split devastated Cynthia and put a great deal of distance between the three-year-old Julian and his father.
McCartney was the only Beatle who stayed in contact with Cynthia after the divorce. He decided...
- 10/11/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: CAA has signed Luke Davies, the decorated Australian screenwriter, novelist and poet best known for his work on the 2016 Dev Patel drama, Lion.
Marking the feature directorial debut of Garth Davis, who’s currently back in theaters with the Amazon sci-fi thriller Foe, Lion is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley (Patel), who, against incredible odds, sought to reunite with his lost family after being separated from them by thousands of miles, over a period of 25 years. Davies won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Academy Award for his adaptation of Brierley’s 2013 book, A Long Way Home. Nicole Kidman also starred in the pic, which launched out of the Toronto Film Festival and went on to claim a total of six Oscar noms, including Best Picture, also grossing an impressive $140M+ worldwide.
Davies is also known for teaming with filmmaker Paul Greengrass to script his...
Marking the feature directorial debut of Garth Davis, who’s currently back in theaters with the Amazon sci-fi thriller Foe, Lion is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley (Patel), who, against incredible odds, sought to reunite with his lost family after being separated from them by thousands of miles, over a period of 25 years. Davies won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Academy Award for his adaptation of Brierley’s 2013 book, A Long Way Home. Nicole Kidman also starred in the pic, which launched out of the Toronto Film Festival and went on to claim a total of six Oscar noms, including Best Picture, also grossing an impressive $140M+ worldwide.
Davies is also known for teaming with filmmaker Paul Greengrass to script his...
- 10/10/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
John Lennon and Paul McCartney played key roles in each others’ songwriting and creative processes. In The Beatles’ early years, they wrote closely together, and as they began writing more individually, they still helped bring the other’s songs to fruition. While they were important to one another, Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, thought he needed McCartney far more than McCartney needed him.
John Lennon needed Paul McCartney for success, said his wife
Lennon had always liked music, forming bands in school and writing songs in his notebooks. Cynthia didn’t think he had much drive, though.
“I don’t think that at nineteen John had the faintest idea he would be rich or successful, or even hoped for it in the same way that some people hope to win the football pools,” Cynthia said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “Paul was a keen schoolboy...
John Lennon needed Paul McCartney for success, said his wife
Lennon had always liked music, forming bands in school and writing songs in his notebooks. Cynthia didn’t think he had much drive, though.
“I don’t think that at nineteen John had the faintest idea he would be rich or successful, or even hoped for it in the same way that some people hope to win the football pools,” Cynthia said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “Paul was a keen schoolboy...
- 10/6/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Upon reflection, John Lennon disliked many of The Beatles’ songs and albums. He acknowledged that fans liked the music, but he thought he was capable of more. One of the albums Lennon claimed to hate was among The Beatles’ most well-known and well-loved. Here’s what he had to say about it.
John Lennon was not a fan of a much-loved Beatles album
While recording the White Album, audio engineer Geoff Emerick decided he couldn’t stomach working with The Beatles anymore. They continuously fought in the studio, turning their vitriol on anyone within eyesight. When he told the band he was quitting, they seemed suitably ashamed.
“As I headed down to face them, I could see George Harrison, Ringo, and, surprisingly, even Paul all staring down at the ground like guilty schoolboys,” Emerick wrote in his book Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles.
John Lennon was not a fan of a much-loved Beatles album
While recording the White Album, audio engineer Geoff Emerick decided he couldn’t stomach working with The Beatles anymore. They continuously fought in the studio, turning their vitriol on anyone within eyesight. When he told the band he was quitting, they seemed suitably ashamed.
“As I headed down to face them, I could see George Harrison, Ringo, and, surprisingly, even Paul all staring down at the ground like guilty schoolboys,” Emerick wrote in his book Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles.
- 8/9/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1967, John Lennon and Paul McCartney collaborated on the song “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” McCartney added a chorus to an unfinished song by Lennon, and they released it as the B-side of “All You Need Is Love.” Given the messaging of the leading single, the meaning behind “Baby, You’re a Rich Man” is a bit surprising. Lennon described it as a mocking song. The target was reportedly longtime Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney potentially took a dig at Brian Epstein in a song
While The Beatles worked on Magical Mystery Tour, Epstein informed them that he’d booked them on the TV special Our World to debut a new song. The band was reportedly frustrated with him and, in the aftermath, Lennon and McCartney worked on “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” Lennon said they intended it as a “mocking” song.
“In ‘Baby,...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney potentially took a dig at Brian Epstein in a song
While The Beatles worked on Magical Mystery Tour, Epstein informed them that he’d booked them on the TV special Our World to debut a new song. The band was reportedly frustrated with him and, in the aftermath, Lennon and McCartney worked on “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” Lennon said they intended it as a “mocking” song.
“In ‘Baby,...
- 7/1/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1968, The Beatles released Yellow Submarine, their fourth film. While they enjoyed the process of making their first movie, A Hard Day’s Night, working on Help! hadn’t been as enjoyable, and Magical Mystery Tour had been a disaster. They did not want to work on a new film, but their contract with United Artists required it. They saw the film as an annoyance, but they hardly had any involvement with it.
The Beatles found ‘Yellow Submarine’ frustrating
The Beatles had a three-film contract with United Artists, meaning they had to produce a third film even if they didn’t feel like it. As a result, they put out an animated movie, fulfilling their deal without having to act on screen. They didn’t even voice their characters. The band appeared, unanimated, in one scene to fulfill their contractual obligation. Otherwise, actors voiced them.
While they wrote an accompanying album for the film,...
The Beatles found ‘Yellow Submarine’ frustrating
The Beatles had a three-film contract with United Artists, meaning they had to produce a third film even if they didn’t feel like it. As a result, they put out an animated movie, fulfilling their deal without having to act on screen. They didn’t even voice their characters. The band appeared, unanimated, in one scene to fulfill their contractual obligation. Otherwise, actors voiced them.
While they wrote an accompanying album for the film,...
- 6/29/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1968, John Lennon wrote “What’s the New Mary Jane?,” a song that became known as one of The Beatles’ strangest. They had been experimenting more with their music in the second half of the 1960s, but this song seemed to take it too far for Lennon’s bandmates. It did not appear on the White Album, but that didn’t stop Lennon from trying to release it. He decided to put the song out with the Plastic Ono Band, but his Beatles bandmates didn’t let him.
John Lennon wanted to release a Beatles song, but his bandmates refused
In 1968, Lennon wrote the avant-garde song “What’s the New Mary Jane?” He wrote the song with engineer Alex Mardas, who Lennon called “Magic Alex.”
“This was a thing I wrote half with our electronic genius Alex [Mardas],” Lennon said, per Beatles Bible. “It was called ‘What A Shame Mary Jane...
John Lennon wanted to release a Beatles song, but his bandmates refused
In 1968, Lennon wrote the avant-garde song “What’s the New Mary Jane?” He wrote the song with engineer Alex Mardas, who Lennon called “Magic Alex.”
“This was a thing I wrote half with our electronic genius Alex [Mardas],” Lennon said, per Beatles Bible. “It was called ‘What A Shame Mary Jane...
- 6/26/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon’s first marriage to Cynthia Lennon lasted from 1962 to 1968. It ended quickly after she caught him cheating on her with his next wife, Yoko Ono. Even before that, their marriage still had problems, and one Beatles song written by John Lennon featured subliminal messages that their marriage was in trouble.
The Beatles’ ‘Good Morning, Good Morning’ was written about John Lennon’s marriage John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon | Evening Standard/Getty Images
“Good Morning, Good Morning” debuted on 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While the album featured The Beatles being more experimental and surreal, John Lennon’s personal life still found life within his lyrics. Lennon got divorced one year after this song debuted, and his marital troubles were infused with his music.
In Barry Miles’ biography Many Years From Now, Paul McCartney said Lennon felt “trapped” in his relationship with Cynthia. He was bored...
The Beatles’ ‘Good Morning, Good Morning’ was written about John Lennon’s marriage John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon | Evening Standard/Getty Images
“Good Morning, Good Morning” debuted on 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While the album featured The Beatles being more experimental and surreal, John Lennon’s personal life still found life within his lyrics. Lennon got divorced one year after this song debuted, and his marital troubles were infused with his music.
In Barry Miles’ biography Many Years From Now, Paul McCartney said Lennon felt “trapped” in his relationship with Cynthia. He was bored...
- 5/28/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon’s assassination stunned the world. On Dec. 8, 1980. Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman outside of his New York City apartment. The world briefly stopped as news broke and tributes poured in from the music community and his fans. While this date lives in infamy, Lennon’s death almost came a few months before, as he was nearly involved in a serious boating accident.
John Lennon almost died while on a voyage to Bermuda John Lennon | Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Six months before his assassination, John Lennon started a journey from Newport, Ri, to Bermuda. Bermuda became a creative home for him, where he refined many of the songs from his final album, Double Fantasy. However, the journey was perilous as it stumbled across stormy seas.
On the second day of sailing, his boat, the Megan Jaye, encountered a thunderstorm with huge waves and extreme winds.
John Lennon almost died while on a voyage to Bermuda John Lennon | Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Six months before his assassination, John Lennon started a journey from Newport, Ri, to Bermuda. Bermuda became a creative home for him, where he refined many of the songs from his final album, Double Fantasy. However, the journey was perilous as it stumbled across stormy seas.
On the second day of sailing, his boat, the Megan Jaye, encountered a thunderstorm with huge waves and extreme winds.
- 5/23/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the late 1970s, Bob Dylan began releasing music with overtly Christian themes, a development that made John Lennon roll his eyes. Lennon was once an avid Dylan fan, but by this stage of his life, his respect for the other musician had cooled considerably. He even wrote a song to mock a Dylan tune he hated.
John Lennon and Bob Dylan | Bettmann via Getty Images; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images John Lennon wrote a song that made fun of something Bob Dylan wrote
In 1979, Dylan released the album “Slow Train Coming,” his first of three Christian albums. Lennon said he found Dylan’s embrace of religion surprising, though he didn’t want to comment on it.
“I don’t like to comment on it,” he said, per the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “For whatever reason he’s doing it,...
John Lennon and Bob Dylan | Bettmann via Getty Images; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images John Lennon wrote a song that made fun of something Bob Dylan wrote
In 1979, Dylan released the album “Slow Train Coming,” his first of three Christian albums. Lennon said he found Dylan’s embrace of religion surprising, though he didn’t want to comment on it.
“I don’t like to comment on it,” he said, per the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “For whatever reason he’s doing it,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were a stellar songwriting duo who could write a hit song in a matter of minutes. However, the pair would still work to polish and refine the track in the studio, ensuring it wouldn’t sound rushed. Still, sometimes inspiration took over, and they would try to finish a piece as soon as possible. One song from The Beatles’ The White Album was written and recorded by the two bandmates on the same day.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote and recorded ‘Birthday’ in one day Paul McCartney and John Lennon | CBS Photo Archive
“Birthday” is the opening song in the second half of 1968’s The White Album. The Beatles had scheduled an earlier recording session on Sept. 18, 1968. Paul McCartney had arrived at the studio earlier than the others and started to play the riff from “Birthday” before John Lennon and the others came.
In Many Years From Now,...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote and recorded ‘Birthday’ in one day Paul McCartney and John Lennon | CBS Photo Archive
“Birthday” is the opening song in the second half of 1968’s The White Album. The Beatles had scheduled an earlier recording session on Sept. 18, 1968. Paul McCartney had arrived at the studio earlier than the others and started to play the riff from “Birthday” before John Lennon and the others came.
In Many Years From Now,...
- 5/13/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were songwriting equals in The Beatles, but the bassist still looked up to his bandmate. He craved compliments that rarely came. Macca praised John by calling him the Elvis of the Beatles, but he typically drew the line at mimicking his friend. Still, Paul copied John in one of the last songs he made as a member of the Fab Four.
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images Paul McCartney copied John Lennon’s vocal approach on ‘Oh! Darling’
The Beatles stood on their last legs when they recorded Abbey Road in 1969. The contentious recording sessions that produced the Let It Be album and infighting over who would be their next manager all but drove the band apart. Abbey Road was the last thing the band did as a foursome.
Paul copied John on the song that channeled some of the energy...
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images Paul McCartney copied John Lennon’s vocal approach on ‘Oh! Darling’
The Beatles stood on their last legs when they recorded Abbey Road in 1969. The contentious recording sessions that produced the Let It Be album and infighting over who would be their next manager all but drove the band apart. Abbey Road was the last thing the band did as a foursome.
Paul copied John on the song that channeled some of the energy...
- 5/11/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Double Fantasy is the final album released by John Lennon before his 1980 assassination. The album was also Lennon’s first album after the birth of his and Yoko Ono’s son, Sean. He took a five-year hiatus from music after Sean’s birth, and the pride for his son comes through a few times in Double Fantasy. There is also regret expressed in the album as Lennon said he felt “guilty” while making Double Fantasy.
John Lennon felt guilty about his relationship with his first son while making ‘Double Fantasy’ Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Susan Wood/Getty Images
John Lennon’s first son, Julian, was born in 1963 with his first wife, Cynthia. John and Julian had a complex relationship because John was always on the road with The Beatles. Even after The Beatles split, Lennon was still often not in the picture as he would be working on music...
John Lennon felt guilty about his relationship with his first son while making ‘Double Fantasy’ Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Susan Wood/Getty Images
John Lennon’s first son, Julian, was born in 1963 with his first wife, Cynthia. John and Julian had a complex relationship because John was always on the road with The Beatles. Even after The Beatles split, Lennon was still often not in the picture as he would be working on music...
- 5/7/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“Help!” is one of the biggest hits John Lennon wrote for The Beatles. However, the lyrics have more meaning than many may have realized. The track expressed many of Lennon’s insecurities, and he even admitted to being “insecure” while writing the track.
John Lennon wrote The Beatles ‘Help!’ as an actual cry for help John Lennon | William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1965, Beatlemania was at its peak. The band was benefitting from unprecedented success. However, Lennon wasn’t overjoyed as the success overwhelmed him and caused him to experience intense pressure and stress. In an interview with Playboy in 1980. Lennon said the insecurity he felt over The Beatles’ success manifested itself in “Help!”, which he wrote in his “fat, Elvis period.”
“When ‘Help!’ came out, I was actually crying out for help,” Lennon shared. “Most people think it’s just a fast rock ‘n’ roll song.
John Lennon wrote The Beatles ‘Help!’ as an actual cry for help John Lennon | William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1965, Beatlemania was at its peak. The band was benefitting from unprecedented success. However, Lennon wasn’t overjoyed as the success overwhelmed him and caused him to experience intense pressure and stress. In an interview with Playboy in 1980. Lennon said the insecurity he felt over The Beatles’ success manifested itself in “Help!”, which he wrote in his “fat, Elvis period.”
“When ‘Help!’ came out, I was actually crying out for help,” Lennon shared. “Most people think it’s just a fast rock ‘n’ roll song.
- 5/6/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon grew up near each other, and both dealt with the deaths of their mothers at a young age. Beyond that, though, their upbringings were markedly different. McCartney said that when discussing his childhood with Lennon, he couldn’t help but notice how much warmer and loving his was. McCartney believed that the effects of this type of childhood might have made him seem “uncool” as an adult, but he was grateful for it.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Val Wilmer/Redferns Paul McCartney said he had a much ‘warmer’ childhood than John Lennon
McCartney’s mother died when he was 14, but his childhood was full of extended family members. He recalled playing piano at parties and laughing at stories.
He believed Lennon’s childhood was far less warm than his. When Lennon was a child, his parents separated, and he went to live with his aunt and uncle.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Val Wilmer/Redferns Paul McCartney said he had a much ‘warmer’ childhood than John Lennon
McCartney’s mother died when he was 14, but his childhood was full of extended family members. He recalled playing piano at parties and laughing at stories.
He believed Lennon’s childhood was far less warm than his. When Lennon was a child, his parents separated, and he went to live with his aunt and uncle.
- 5/5/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon didn’t try to hide it when he found Paul McCartney’s songs unbearable. He insulted many of The Beatles’ songs, including ones he wrote, and several of McCartney’s tunes were the subject of his ire. Not only did Lennon think the writing was weak on one of McCartney’s songs, but he thought it could potentially damage the career of a band that planned to record it. Here’s the song that Lennon disliked so much.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images John Lennon openly disliked the Paul McCartney song ‘One and One Is Two’
In 1964, McCartney recorded a demo for the song “One and One Is Two.” He wrote the lyrics and sang the tune. When reflecting on the love song in 1980, Lennon couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“That’s another of Paul’s bad attempts at writing a song,...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images John Lennon openly disliked the Paul McCartney song ‘One and One Is Two’
In 1964, McCartney recorded a demo for the song “One and One Is Two.” He wrote the lyrics and sang the tune. When reflecting on the love song in 1980, Lennon couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“That’s another of Paul’s bad attempts at writing a song,...
- 5/4/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles had an extensive catalog and a relatively brief touring career; as a result, there were a number of songs they never performed live as a band. In his solo career, Paul McCartney has dusted off some previously unplayed songs in concerts, but many have still gone unperformed. Here are five songs The Beatles never performed live.
The Beatles | Edward Wing/Express/Getty Images ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’
John Lennon wrote the Revolver song “And Your Bird Can Sing” in 1966, and it has puzzled listeners since. People have speculated that the song is about anyone from McCartney to Frank Sinatra to Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull. Lennon did little to clear it up. When reflecting on the song, Lennon rolled his eyes at it.
“Another of my throwaways,” he said, per The Beatles’ official website. “Fancy paper around an empty box.”
Because The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, they...
The Beatles | Edward Wing/Express/Getty Images ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’
John Lennon wrote the Revolver song “And Your Bird Can Sing” in 1966, and it has puzzled listeners since. People have speculated that the song is about anyone from McCartney to Frank Sinatra to Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull. Lennon did little to clear it up. When reflecting on the song, Lennon rolled his eyes at it.
“Another of my throwaways,” he said, per The Beatles’ official website. “Fancy paper around an empty box.”
Because The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, they...
- 5/3/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While Buddy Holly’s music career was tragically short, he still significantly impacted the most successful musical act ever, The Beatles. The Beatles considered him a rock hero and paid tribute to the singer by covering many of his songs. John Lennon was a fan of Buddy Holly and once said he remembered one of his songs better than his own.
John Lennon recorded an album of classic rock songs that he knew better than his own work John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images
In 1975, John Lennon released Rock ‘n’ Roll, his sixth solo album and the final album he recorded during his “Lost Weekend”. The album consisted of covers of some of Lennon’s favorite rock songs, including “You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry, “Slippin’ and Slidin’” by Little Richard, and “Stand By Me” by Ben. E. King.
Speaking with David Sheff during his 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon...
John Lennon recorded an album of classic rock songs that he knew better than his own work John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images
In 1975, John Lennon released Rock ‘n’ Roll, his sixth solo album and the final album he recorded during his “Lost Weekend”. The album consisted of covers of some of Lennon’s favorite rock songs, including “You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry, “Slippin’ and Slidin’” by Little Richard, and “Stand By Me” by Ben. E. King.
Speaking with David Sheff during his 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon...
- 5/1/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“Oh! Darling” was released in 1969 on Abbey Road, the last album The Beatles recorded. Written and sung by Paul McCartney, the song was a nod to a more ‘50s sound, despite all the experimental, futuristic work the band had produced in recent years. It’s one of McCartney’s best-performed songs. But John felt he could have done it better.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Bettmann/Getty Images Paul McCartney first shared ‘Oh! Darling’ with The Beatles during the ‘Get Back’ sessions
McCartney actually first presented “Oh! Darling” during what eventually came to be known as the “Get Back” sessions. McCartney shared the rock-n-roll ballad he’d written, and it was well-received. “The chord structure is very nice,” said George Harrison of the song. “It’s typical of a 1955-type song.”
The band worked on the song throughout Jan. 1969, but eventually they had to put a pin in it due...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Bettmann/Getty Images Paul McCartney first shared ‘Oh! Darling’ with The Beatles during the ‘Get Back’ sessions
McCartney actually first presented “Oh! Darling” during what eventually came to be known as the “Get Back” sessions. McCartney shared the rock-n-roll ballad he’d written, and it was well-received. “The chord structure is very nice,” said George Harrison of the song. “It’s typical of a 1955-type song.”
The band worked on the song throughout Jan. 1969, but eventually they had to put a pin in it due...
- 4/23/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When John Lennon was done with The Beatles, he was done with The Beatles. He wanted to concentrate on moving forward and not looking back. That meant a reunion was absolutely out of the question.
The Beatles | Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images John Lennon quit The Beatles
Lennon officially told his bandmates, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, that he’d decided to leave the group during a meeting with Allen Klein in Sept. 1969. Klein convinced Lennon to keep his decision hush-hush so as to not compromise a renegotiation that was in the works with the group’s Emi/Capitol contract.
“We were discussing something in the office with Paul and Paul was saying to do something, and I kept saying, ‘No, no, no’ to everything he said,” reads Lennon Remembers by Jann S. Wenner, according to Beatles Bible. “So it came to a point that I had to say something.
The Beatles | Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images John Lennon quit The Beatles
Lennon officially told his bandmates, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, that he’d decided to leave the group during a meeting with Allen Klein in Sept. 1969. Klein convinced Lennon to keep his decision hush-hush so as to not compromise a renegotiation that was in the works with the group’s Emi/Capitol contract.
“We were discussing something in the office with Paul and Paul was saying to do something, and I kept saying, ‘No, no, no’ to everything he said,” reads Lennon Remembers by Jann S. Wenner, according to Beatles Bible. “So it came to a point that I had to say something.
- 4/17/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were the co-leaders of The Beatles. However, McCartney would admit Lennon was the primary leader, as he and George Harrison looked up to the “In My Life” singer. While Lennon’s leadership would wane as his interest in the band diminished, there is one quote he used to cheer up the band that proved he was an excellent leader, better than ever he might have thought.
The Beatles all looked up to John Lennon The Beatles | Fox Photos/Getty Images)
John Lennon and Paul McCartney became friends while growing up in Liverpool. Lennon was the elder of the two, and McCartney saw him as an older brother. Lennon invited him to join his band, The Quarrymen, which later included George Harrison. Ringo would join The Beatles later, but Paul and George both looked up to Lennon for leadership.
In an interview with Playboy, McCartney elaborated...
The Beatles all looked up to John Lennon The Beatles | Fox Photos/Getty Images)
John Lennon and Paul McCartney became friends while growing up in Liverpool. Lennon was the elder of the two, and McCartney saw him as an older brother. Lennon invited him to join his band, The Quarrymen, which later included George Harrison. Ringo would join The Beatles later, but Paul and George both looked up to Lennon for leadership.
In an interview with Playboy, McCartney elaborated...
- 4/15/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon made his dissatisfaction with the band clear. He rolled his eyes at the music they made as a group and insulted his former bandmates’ solo efforts. Despite all that he shared with the press, Lennon’s actions told a different story. Here are three times he showed that he didn’t hate the band as much as he said he did.
The Beatles | Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images John Lennon apologized to Paul McCartney for leaving The Beatles
In 1969, Lennon told his bandmates that he wanted a divorce from The Beatles. Before this, he included a reference to Paul McCartney in the 1968 song “Glass Onion.”
“I threw the line in — ‘the Walrus was Paul’ — just to confuse everybody a bit more,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff.
The Beatles | Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images John Lennon apologized to Paul McCartney for leaving The Beatles
In 1969, Lennon told his bandmates that he wanted a divorce from The Beatles. Before this, he included a reference to Paul McCartney in the 1968 song “Glass Onion.”
“I threw the line in — ‘the Walrus was Paul’ — just to confuse everybody a bit more,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff.
- 4/11/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was often cynical about his own work, especially once The Beatles ended. There are several songs he loved, had mixed feelings about, or flat-out hated. A few he was indifferent toward, calling them “throwaways,” meaning he didn’t hate them, but he found them forgettable. Here are 4 Beatles songs John Lennon deemed “throwaways.”
‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ John Lennon | CBS via Getty Images
“I Wanna Be Your Man” is an interesting track because it’s mainly associated with The Rolling Stones. Paul McCartney and John Lennon went to see the Stones perform and were asked by the band if they could write a song for them. McCartney and Lennon finished the track on the spot, and it became The Rolling Stones’ first hit in the U.K.
The Beatles recorded their own version, but it didn’t perform as well. The song being a hit for the Stones might have surprised Lennon,...
‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ John Lennon | CBS via Getty Images
“I Wanna Be Your Man” is an interesting track because it’s mainly associated with The Rolling Stones. Paul McCartney and John Lennon went to see the Stones perform and were asked by the band if they could write a song for them. McCartney and Lennon finished the track on the spot, and it became The Rolling Stones’ first hit in the U.K.
The Beatles recorded their own version, but it didn’t perform as well. The song being a hit for the Stones might have surprised Lennon,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles had an extensive catalog of songs, and some of them are quite confusing. Fans of the band pored over their lyrics and attempted to pull meaning from their music. Sometimes, they were able to find the meanings behind the songs. Other times, though, it was completely impossible. The band wrote at least three songs with the intention of confusing listeners.
The Beatles | Fiona Adams/Redferns ‘I Am the Walrus’
John Lennon wrote the song “I Am the Walrus” with the help of a childhood friend, Pete Shotton. He asked Shotton if he could remember a nursery rhyme they used to sing as children. Shotton responded with, “Yellow matter custard, green slop pie, all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, 10ft thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick,” (per The Times).
After working part of this rhyme into the song,...
The Beatles | Fiona Adams/Redferns ‘I Am the Walrus’
John Lennon wrote the song “I Am the Walrus” with the help of a childhood friend, Pete Shotton. He asked Shotton if he could remember a nursery rhyme they used to sing as children. Shotton responded with, “Yellow matter custard, green slop pie, all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, 10ft thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick,” (per The Times).
After working part of this rhyme into the song,...
- 4/9/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was the least emotional member of The Beatles. He rarely complimented his bandmates and often wrote many of the band’s more dour songs. However, he once gave Ringo Starr a song to sing, which Paul McCartney said showed his “tender side.”
John Lennon wrote ‘Good Night’ for his son, but gave it to Ringo Starr John Lennon and Ringo Starr | Bettmann / Contributor
“Good Night” is a song from The Beatles’ The White Album written by John Lennon, but features Ringo Starr on lead vocals. In an interview with David Sheff, Lennon said he initially wrote the tune for his son, Julian, but he decided to give it to Starr.
‘Good Night’ was written for Julian, the way ‘Beautiful Boy’ was written for Sean… but given to Ringo and possibly overlush,” Lennon said.
In a 1968 interview, Starr noted that the song sounded very different from anything else Lennon has written.
John Lennon wrote ‘Good Night’ for his son, but gave it to Ringo Starr John Lennon and Ringo Starr | Bettmann / Contributor
“Good Night” is a song from The Beatles’ The White Album written by John Lennon, but features Ringo Starr on lead vocals. In an interview with David Sheff, Lennon said he initially wrote the tune for his son, Julian, but he decided to give it to Starr.
‘Good Night’ was written for Julian, the way ‘Beautiful Boy’ was written for Sean… but given to Ringo and possibly overlush,” Lennon said.
In a 1968 interview, Starr noted that the song sounded very different from anything else Lennon has written.
- 4/8/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney was the first Beatle to publicly announce that he wasn’t returning to the band, but by this point John Lennon had already told the group that he was quitting. Lennon had grown tired of working with the band and was ready for a new project with his new wife, Yoko Ono. His decision to move on came after years of working closely with McCartney. Though they had a fraught public relationship after The Beatles broke up, Lennon admitted that he felt guilty about leaving McCartney.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images John Lennon left The Beatles before Paul McCartney
Though McCartney has long shouldered the blame for breaking up The Beatles, Lennon left the group first. The band had been dealing with simmering tensions and resentments for a while, and they reached a fracturing point when Lennon announced he was quitting.
“John walked...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images John Lennon left The Beatles before Paul McCartney
Though McCartney has long shouldered the blame for breaking up The Beatles, Lennon left the group first. The band had been dealing with simmering tensions and resentments for a while, and they reached a fracturing point when Lennon announced he was quitting.
“John walked...
- 4/8/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison was best known for his guitar skills, but he also developed an interest in the sitar. The Beatle began fiddling around with the instrument while on the set of Help! In 1965. Soon, the instrument made its way onto a Beatles record. The instrument isn’t present in many of the band’s songs, but it did make repeat appearances. Here is every song that features George Harrison on the sitar.
‘Norwegian Wood’ George Harrison and Ravi Shankar | Bettmann / Contributor
“Norwegian Wood” is the first song featuring George Harrison playing the sitar. John Lennon wrote the 1965 Rubber Soul track, which is a Bob Dylan-influenced track with a blend of Indian music. Harrison bought the sitar he used for this song at a shop in Oxford Street called Indiacraft. Lennon suggested he use the instrument in the song, but it took Harrison a few tries before he could get the melody right.
‘Norwegian Wood’ George Harrison and Ravi Shankar | Bettmann / Contributor
“Norwegian Wood” is the first song featuring George Harrison playing the sitar. John Lennon wrote the 1965 Rubber Soul track, which is a Bob Dylan-influenced track with a blend of Indian music. Harrison bought the sitar he used for this song at a shop in Oxford Street called Indiacraft. Lennon suggested he use the instrument in the song, but it took Harrison a few tries before he could get the melody right.
- 4/4/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If, like me, you happen to own a copy of David Sheff's book Game Over* then you may already know some of the somewhat improbable story of how Nintendo came to bundle Tetris with the Gameboy. There are all sorts of tales associated, including that George Bush senior was seen playing during his Presidency in recovery from a medical procedure. Roughly two chapters, an eighth (so more than a bite) of that book are devoted to the acquisition (and retention) of the rights to publish the game. While the real story is, if anything, even more complicated, it also lacks a chase sequence.
Taran Egerton plays Henk Rogers, the director of Bullet-Proof Software. You might recognise that name depending on your vintage, I can picture it in the pixel letters of a Gameboy Screen without thinking too hard about it. That there was a complicated story behind a title screen that.
Taran Egerton plays Henk Rogers, the director of Bullet-Proof Software. You might recognise that name depending on your vintage, I can picture it in the pixel letters of a Gameboy Screen without thinking too hard about it. That there was a complicated story behind a title screen that.
- 3/29/2023
- by Andrew Robertson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.