Despite their well-documented creative tensions, John Lennon and Paul McCartney shared an undeniable musical chemistry that helped define The Beatles. While their songwriting rivalry sometimes fueled friction, Lennon was never shy about praising McCartney’s best work—sometimes even behind his back.
Ozzy Osbourne once captured the essence of their dynamic, saying, “Lennon and McCartney were like sweet and sour. Paul would be the guy who said, ‘It’s getting better all the time.’ John would say, ‘It couldn’t get much worse.’” Their contrasting styles created the magic that propelled The Beatles to legendary status. But which McCartney-penned songs did Lennon actually admire? Here are five that stood out to him.
1. ‘Hey Jude’
One of The Beatles’ most beloved anthems, ‘Hey Jude’ was originally written by McCartney for Lennon’s son, Julian, amid John’s split from his first wife, Cynthia. Lennon, however, always felt the song had another meaning. In a 1972 interview with Hit Parader, he called it “Paul’s best song” and added, “I always thought it was about me and Yoko, but he said it was about him and his [situation].”
During his famous 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon expanded on this theory: “Now I’m sounding like one of those fans reading things into it… Think about it: Yoko had just come into the picture. He is saying, ‘Hey, Jude’—‘Hey, John.’ Subconsciously, he was saying, ‘Go ahead, leave me.’”
2. ‘Here, There and Everywhere’
From Revolver, this track is often considered one of McCartney’s most beautifully crafted love songs. Lennon had no hesitation in acknowledging its brilliance, saying simply, “This was a great one of his.” McCartney himself holds the song in high regard, once noting, “It was the only song that John ever complimented me on.”
3. ‘All My Loving’
One of The Beatles’ early hits from 1963, ‘All My Loving’ showcased McCartney’s ability to write infectious melodies. Lennon appreciated its craftsmanship, calling it “a damn good piece of work.” Given how often the two were in friendly competition, such outright praise was rare and significant.
4. ‘Let It Be’
Lennon saw ‘Let It Be’ as one of McCartney’s final great contributions to The Beatles before their eventual split. He recognized its timeless quality, even if he was often critical of McCartney’s later output. The song remains one of the most universally recognized Beatles tracks, resonating with fans across generations.
5. ‘Oh! Darling’
One of the standout tracks from Abbey Road, ‘Oh! Darling’ was another McCartney composition that Lennon admired. He even went as far as to say, “I should have written that song; it sounds like a song I’d write.” Given his usual complaints that McCartney’s music leaned toward what he called “granny shit,” this was high praise indeed.
More Than Just Rivals
While McCartney and Lennon were competitive by nature, their admiration for each other’s songwriting was genuine. They may have clashed personally, but musically, they shared an unbreakable bond. As Ozzy Osbourne put it, they were “sweet and sour in every way,” and that contrast is precisely what made The Beatles’ music so special.
John Lennon’s Favorite Paul McCartney Songs:
- ‘Hey Jude’
- ‘Here, There and Everywhere’
- ‘All My Loving’
- ‘Let It Be’
- ‘Oh! Darling’
