The Beatles wore their influences openly, whether through covers or original compositions, making their inspirations clear. Chuck Berry’s guitar style echoed in John Lennon’s chords on “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” while Lennon and Paul McCartney’s harmonies mirrored the Everly Brothers. Yet by the late 1960s, they had grown into their own sound. Still, Ringo Starr noticed something distinctly Elvis Presley-like in “Lady Madonna.”
By this point, the Fab Four had become so iconic that they no longer saw Presley as competition. When they took the stage at Shea Stadium, Presley’s era as a rock and roll revolutionary was already fading, giving way to his Hollywood image and dramatic ballads. However, Presley’s early records had planted the rock seed in their minds. For Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison, and Starr, songs like “Hound Dog” and “All Shook Up” were monumental—similar to the impact “Smells Like Teen Spirit” had on a later generation.
Yet, musically, “Lady Madonna” has more of a New Orleans groove, with hints of Fats Domino and Dr. John rather than Presley’s rockabilly roots. While McCartney sings about the resilience of women supporting their families, the backing track dances to a boogie-woogie rhythm that feels suited to a smoky New Orleans club.
Even though the arrangement suggests a Fats Domino influence, Starr still saw Presley in the mix.
Starr openly claimed McCartney’s vocals on the track paid tribute to Presley’s style, saying, “It sounds like Elvis, doesn’t it? No, it doesn’t sound like Elvis… it IS Elvis. Even those bits where he goes very high.”
Although The Beatles rarely disclosed specific influences in their music, Starr was candid about hearing “The King” in this track. He especially noted McCartney’s deep, rich vocals during the song’s final piano riff, which brought a Presley-like swagger.
Interestingly, Presley never took issue with “Lady Madonna.” If anything, the tune may have served as McCartney’s nod to the rock and roll hero who helped shape their own musical journey. Despite The Beatles’ rise overshadowing Presley, perhaps this song was a quiet acknowledgment of why “The King” still held a place of honor in their hearts.
