Sir Paul McCartney says he never writes anything 'too soppy' because of John Lennon

Virgin Radio

13 Oct 2023, 10:08

Sir Paul McCartney says John Lennon's influence to this day still influences what he chooses to write about.

The Beatles star says the memory of Lennon's songwriting style prevents him from writing anything "too soppy".

He says he has dropped several lyrics because he knew Lennon wouldn't approve.

Speaking on his new podcast, McCartney revealed that the duo teamed up for songwriting discussions in the early days of the band.

Speaking on the 'A Life In Lyrics' podcast, he said: "Often I’ll sort of refer… ‘What would John think of this? He’d have thought it was too soppy.' So I’ll change it.

"That interplay was miraculous. You don’t have this opposing element so much [now]. I have to do that myself.”

He said: "John’s persona was very guarded, hopelessly guarded. That’s where all his wit came from. Like so many comedians, it’s to shield themselves against the world.

"John having a very difficult upbringing – his father leaves home, his uncle dies and his mother gets killed – he could be very sarcastic. We all could, it was my way of dealing with my mother’s death. There would often be a very witty put-down. It wouldn’t always be a put-down but it was always a very quick answer, and he’d trained himself to do that.

"That was one of the attractive things about him. I remember him saying to me, ‘Paul, I worry about how people are going to remember me when I die’. It shocked me and I said, ‘Hold it right there. People are going to think you were great’. I was like his priest. I’d say, ‘My son, you’re great.' It’d make him feel better."

McCartney previously opened up about the inspiration behind Eleanor Rigby on another episode.

He said some of the weird and wonderful lyrics were inspired by his mother.