The Heartbreaking Last Words John Lennon Said to Paul McCartney John Lennon and Paul McCartney shared a close yet complicated relationship over the course of their lives. The duo was responsible for creating some of the most influential and beloved songs ever recorded, and often wrote “eyeball to eyeball” while penning some of their early hits. Later on, though, their bond fractured, and the pair’s relationship grew more distant and complex as time went on. Still, Lennon’s last words to McCartney were affectionate, moving, and appropriate for a bond as impactful, deep, and complicated as theirs. According to statements by Linda McCartney and Carl Perkins, the last thing Lennon ever said to his bandmate was, “Think about me now and then, old friend.” The words carry a deep poignancy within them, and feel fitting for Lennon’s unintentional final goodbye. Lennon and McCartney’s relationship suffered greatly during the Beatles’ later years due to creative differences and the challenges of fame, among other reasons. Things imploded when the Beatles broke up, though. Lennon had privately told the band he was leaving in 1969, but his relationship with McCartney fractured dramatically after McCartney effectively announced the band’s breakup with a press release for his solo album. That move sparked a deep rift between Lennon and McCartney, with Lennon penning the spiteful track “How Do You Sleep?” about his bandmate. The pair’s relationship slowly improved over the years, though. McCartney and his wife Linda showed up at one of Lennon’s recording sessions in 1974, and the McCartneys were also seen spending time at Lennon’s apartment in New York City. McCartney is believed to have dedicated his song “Dear Friend” to Lennon.#paul_mccartney #john_lennon #linda_mccartney #mark_david_chapman #the_dakota
How the Solo Beatles Channeled the Fab Four in Their Music When The Beatles acrimoniously disbanded in 1970, John, Paul, George, and Ringo deliberately avoided the sonic signatures that had defined their legendary career. Each member sought to carve out a distinct individual identity, steering clear of musical choices that might be perceived as riding the coattails of their past. Over time, however, the weight of their collective legacy proved difficult to ignore. Eventually, all four musicians embraced their roots, resulting in standout solo tracks that beautifully echo the unmistakable magic of their former band. George Harrison’s “When We Was Fab” stands as arguably the most overtly “Beatlesque” track in existence. The song, a dazzling time capsule, feels plucked straight from the band’s 1967 psychedelic peak. Written by Harrison—historically the least sentimental member regarding his Beatles tenure—it was co-written and produced alongside ELO frontman Jeff Lynne. The track masterfully revives the band’s mid-career flourishes, blending dramatic, swelling string arrangements with a mystical Eastern aura. Though born organically, the homage captured the spirit of the era so flawlessly that it felt like a conscious trip down memory lane. Paul McCartney’s “My Brave Face” was the result of an outside perspective. Elvis Costello, a lifelong Beatles fanatic, teamed up with McCartney for a series of co-writing sessions in the late 1980s. Costello actively nudged McCartney to stop overthinking and embrace the effortless, soaring melodies he had avoided out of fear of self-plagiarism. The result channels the infectious, tuneful energy of the early-60s Fab Four.#paul_mccartney #the_beatles #john_lennon #george_harrison #ringo_starr
