During a recent episode of his iHeartRadio podcast, ‘McCartney: A Life in Lyrics,’ Paul McCartney discussed John Lennon’s legacy worries.
The singer stated that his former bandmate, who died tragically outside his New York City apartment at the age of 40, was concerned about how he would be remembered after his death. McCartney stated, ” I recall him telling me, ‘Paul, I’m worried about how people will remember me when I die,’ which surprised me. ‘OK, hang on, just hold it right there,’ I urged. People will believe you’re fantastic; you’ve already done enough to indicate that.”
McCartney’s Role As A Supportive Friend
The bassist went on, describing how he used to console the late musician. He said, “I was his priest.” ‘My kid, you’re amazing; don’t worry about it,’ I’d often have to say, and he’d accept it. It would make him happy.”
‘Here Today’ As An Ode To Lennon
In the same show, McCartney discussed his 1982 song ‘Here Today,’ which he penned as a tribute to John Lennon.
“I remembered things about our relationship and all we’d done together.” From being in one another’s front parlors or bedrooms to going down the street or hitching together. [It was] incredibly poignant and heartbreaking because I was there in this empty room thinking about John and realized I’d lost him. And it was a devastating loss, so chatting with him in music provided some relief. I was somehow back with him.”
Imagining Lennon’s Reaction To ‘Now and Then’
In other news, on November 2, the Beatles released their final song, ‘Now and Then,’ which Lennon penned in the late 1970s. The late band member’s vocals are included in the song, which was made feasible by technology that isolated Lennon’s voice from a 1970s recording. In the documentary ‘Now and Then – The Last Beatles Song,’ McCartney discussed John’s likely response to the song.
He said, “Is it something we should avoid?” ‘Wait a minute,’ I thought every time I thought something like that. Assume I had the opportunity to ask John. ‘Hey, John, would you like us to complete your final song’? I can assure you that the response would have been ‘Yeah.’ That would have been perfect for him.”
Peter Jackson directed the ‘Now and Then’ music video, which was released on November 3. It features rare Beatles film from Pete Best, recordings from their 1995 Anthology sessions, private movies of Harrison, and fresh McCartney and Starr performances.
