Sitting at a piano, dreaming of writing a song as iconic as “Strawberry Fields Forever” or “Imagine,” often leads to the frustrating question: “How did John Lennon do it?” While The Beatles were a collective force, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison contributing hits and Ringo Starr injecting energy into the mix, there’s no denying that Lennon had a distinct edge as a songwriter.
So, how did he consistently create masterpieces? First, Lennon had an undeniable talent for songwriting. While song structure has its science, Lennon’s creativity was ingrained in him. Another key factor? His overly critical nature.
Lennon’s critical mindset helped in two ways. First, it pushed him to demand excellence from his work—“average” simply wasn’t in his vocabulary. If it wasn’t great, it didn’t make the cut.
Secondly, being critical sharpened his memory. Lennon believed that having strong opinions helped keep things vivid in his mind.
In his own words, while reflecting on his solo albums, he said: “It’s probably the way we remember… ‘This fish tastes as good as the fish we had in St. Tropez, but not as good as the one Arthur caught off Long Island…’”
This ability to remember and reflect made his songwriting authentic. Some of Lennon’s most cherished tracks, like “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane,” tap into personal memories—his childhood in Liverpool, his mother, and moments of struggle.
Lennon’s critical eye didn’t just hold his music to a higher standard. It allowed him to reach into his past and bring those emotions to life, resulting in songs that resonate deeply.
