The rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones has mostly played out in music magazines and fan debates, as both bands often shared a mutual respect. They jammed together in the studio, appeared on stage side-by-side, and even partied together. While they usually kept their battles on the pop charts, occasional snipes have surfaced between the groups.
Recently, Paul McCartney stirred the pot when he playfully hinted that The Beatles were the superior band. Mick Jagger responded with his own dig, noting with a laugh that while The Beatles had disbanded, the Stones were still rocking. But the most heated clash came from John Lennon, who once unleashed a scathing critique of the Stones, accusing them of borrowing a little too freely from The Beatles.
In a no-holds-barred interview with Rolling Stone’s Jann Wenner, Lennon shared his resentment, particularly toward two Rolling Stones releases.
He famously said, “I can knock the Beatles, but don’t let Mick Jagger knock them.” Lennon then claimed that the Stones had repeatedly copied The Beatles, heatedly asserting, “Every fuckin’ thing we did, Mick does exactly the same – he imitates us.”
Lennon highlighted specific examples, including the Stones’ psychedelic album, Their Satanic Majesties Request, comparing it to The Beatles’ groundbreaking Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While Lennon’s claims may not be entirely baseless—the late ’60s saw an explosion of psychedelia that influenced many bands—he felt that the Stones were riding the Beatles’ coattails. But his critique didn’t stop there.
He also targeted the Stones’ 1967 track, “We Love You,” calling it “the most fuckin’ bullshit,” and accusing it of mimicking the Beatles’ anthem “All You Need Is Love.” Musically, the two songs don’t sound especially alike, but Lennon zeroed in on the similar theme of love and unity. “We Love You,” however, carries its own distinct style, and while the songs share some lyrical overlap, it’s a stretch to call it a direct copy.
Adding to the irony, Lennon himself had provided backing vocals for “We Love You,” alongside Paul McCartney. The visual of Lennon and McCartney stepping into the studio to harmonize on what he later called a “rip-off” is a reminder of how fluid rivalries can be in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. It also raises the question—if Lennon had such strong opinions about the Stones’ work, why didn’t he address them back then?
Ultimately, both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones left indelible marks on music history, influencing countless bands and even each other along the way. While Lennon’s fiery words may have fueled the rivalry, they’re a testament to the fierce competition and mutual inspiration that shaped the golden era of rock.
