The Beatles bassist Paul McCartney spoke in an interview with Sharyn Alfonsi of CBS News and admitted his competition with late singer John Lennon.
Interviewer said:
Were you guys competitive, writing with each other? Or did you complement each other?
Paul responded:
“Me and John? Yeah, we were competitive, yeah. Not openly, but we– we later admitted, “Yeah, you know, so Paul’s written a good one there, I better get going.” And I would similarly– “Hmm, that’s a bit good, right, here we go, come on.” If he’d have written “Strawberry Fields,” I would write “Penny Lane.” You know, and it’s– he’s remembering his old area in Liverpool, so I’ll remember mine.”
Then the conversation continued as follows:
Sharyn Alfonsi: And when that happened, did you compliment each other?
Paul McCartney: Once—
Sharyn Alfonsi: One time–
Paul McCartney: –John gave me a compliment.
Sharyn Alfonsi: In how many years? (LAUGH)
Paul McCartney: It was only once, the whole time. No, I think it was “Revolver,” but it was “Here, There and Everywhere” was– was one of my songs on it.
Paul McCartney: And– but John says, just when it finishes, “That’s a really good song, lad. I love that song.” I was like, “Yes, he likes it.” You know, and I– I’ve remembered it to this day. It’s pathetic, really.
Sharyn Alfonsi: Did you ever heap praise on him?
Paul McCartney: Yeah, I would tell him his stuff was great. You’d normally have to be a little bit drunk. It helped.
Click here to entire interview.
