Paul sabotaged John's songs?
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Hi everyone, I have just finished reading the book All We Are Saying by David Sheff. It is John's last major in-depth interview with Playboy in 1980. I liked the book. I found it very interesting and John's wit and directness made me smile. It was sad to read the parts where he was looking forward to the future cuz we know that was not to be. A lot of the interview I had read, in bits and pieces, over the years, but to me, the most surprising statement was that he thought Paul subconciously sabotaged some of his work, the examples he gave were Across the Universe and Strawberry Fields Forever. Lennon wasn't happy with the outcome of those two songs in particular. That's a pretty harsh thing to say about a guy who is supposed to be your friend and collaborator for many years; but John stated himself that at first he thought he was being paranoid, but on refection realized he is right about it. Curious to think what other Beatle People think about this statement; any thoughts/comments welcome
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And just how did Paul supposedly sabotage those songs? They are both great! -
Nancy R:
And just how did Paul supposedly sabotage those songs? They are both great!
-Rubber Soul13 -
I remember the interview when it first came out and I don't think he was meaning that Paul actually sabotaged his songs, but he did say something along the lines that it seemed like Paul would be quick to experiment on John's songs than on his own. But the results speak for themselves. And it was far from sabotage. It was often Paul's melodic touches and experimental brilliance in the studio that pushed Lennon's songs from great songs to fantastic songs. IMO.
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^^ and vice versa. The best songwriting team ever!
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I dont know what John was thinking when he said that. To my ears anyway, the released versions of SFF & ATU are by far the best versions that I have heard when including Anthology & Let it Be Naked versions. Loved Paul's mellotron playing on SFF!!
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Apple Scruff:
A lot of the interview I had read, in bits and pieces, over the years, but to me, the most surprising statement was that he thought Paul subconciously sabotaged some of his work, the examples he gave were Across the Universe and Strawberry Fields Forever.
This from the man whose poor bass playing sabotaged Long And Winding Road. Once again, Lennon the hypocrite. It was John who wanted to recut SFF after the simple, guitar-based take 1. The various incarnations of SFF were down to him being indecisive and unsure about how he wanted the song to sound. I love him but John was full of it a lot of the time.
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JoeySmith:
I dont know what John was thinking when he said that. To my ears anyway, the released versions of SFF & ATU are by far the best versions that I have heard when including Anthology & Let it Be Naked versions. Loved Paul's mellotron playing on SFF!!
I have to agree with you... They were great! Two of my favorite John songs!
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John claimed most of Eleanor Rigby in his Playboy interview in 1980, but one of his best friends Pete Shotton said he had nothing much to do with it. I think John's memory was a bit sketchy at times to say the least!
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hey_kittay:
^^ and vice versa. The best songwriting team ever!
They sabotaged each other to greatness.
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thanks for all the replies everyone
I agree with so many posts; I doubted that Beatle fans would agree with that statement, but it was a pretty harsh criticism (even the interviewer was surprised), so I wondered... It's just sad that John, near the end of his life, thought this; even if he changed his mind two seconds later. -
Great discussion, but in the end it only matters that what John and Paul thought about each other. They loved each other. So what we all think is not important.
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Let's coin a new word... BOOKARAZZI'S
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The greatest songwriting chemistry ever... I doubt it, but I think maybe I can read a kind of paranoia in it? I think the early years looks like there was a friendly and healthy kind of 'competition' going on, but somewhere along the road...
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Somewhere along the road Paul began to win that competition and I don't think John liked it one bit. He had feared from the moment he met him that he would overshadow him, he said as much (that because of that he hesitated whether to ask him to join The Quarrymen). John was certainly being paranoid. Imagine if anytime John tried something Paul didn't like on one of Paul's songs Paul had thought John was sabotaging him (like John's bass playing on The Long and Winding Road, as someone mentioned). It's only natural Paul would be more experimental in John's songs, trying out different things, than on his own. As we all know, Paul had usually a pretty good idea of how he wanted his own songs recorded.
Apple Scruff:
John stated himself that at first he thought he was being paranoid, but on refection realized he is right about it.
On reflection = after discussing it with Yoko?
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John could certainly be insecure. But so could Paul. He was just better at hiding it. In defense of Paul, I don't think he ever sabotaged John's songs. But he was likely to care a bit less or put a bit less effort into someone else's song than his own. But that is just human nature. And for John to complain that Paul would take a more experimental attitude toward his songs is strange, since John did the same thing with his own songs (Tomorrow Never Knows, Strawberry Fields) and had more that penchant.
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Their close collaboration and friendship is perhaps too complex to be summarized with words and analyzis. There is much that lies between the lines. So many books written about it, they never stop coming... it is perhaps like McCartney sings in "Early Days" that people make up their own opinion but they weren't where it's at... So.... I don't know.
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RMartinez:
John could certainly be insecure. But so could Paul. He was just better at hiding it. In defense of Paul, I don't think he ever sabotaged John's songs. But he was likely to care a bit less or put a bit less effort into someone else's song than his own. But that is just human nature. And for John to complain that Paul would take a more experimental attitude toward his songs is strange, since John did the same thing with his own songs (Tomorrow Never Knows, Strawberry Fields) and had more that penchant.
Except it was McCartney who created and recorded the background tape loops and driving bass to that track, not Lennon. While Lennon often had the vision, it was McCartney who had the musical acumen and technical expertise to turn an idea (vision) into reality.
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Their mutual works were brilliant! Despite, the occasional cosmic debris.
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If he sabotaged those songs he did a really bad job of it.
