Lennon & McCartney Songwriting Q&A

How did Lennon and McCartney write their songs?

They worked in several ways: composing together from scratch, finishing an idea one of them brought in, or contributing a lyric, melody or middle section to the other’s song. Their method changed over time. In “We Can Work It Out”, for example, Paul wrote the main section and John contributed the middle eight. The Lennon–McCartney credit does not mean every song was written equally by both men.

 

Ref: The Beatles — We Can Work It Out

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How did Paul McCartney learn to write songs?

Paul began by learning chords, playing music he enjoyed and experimenting with his own tunes. As a teenager, he used a few guitar chords to write “I Lost My Little Girl”. His father’s piano playing and the songs heard at home helped shape his musical imagination. Working with John then gave him a partner with whom to test and develop ideas.

 

Ref: GQ — Paul McCartney

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Who did Paul McCartney say was the best songwriter?

Brian Wilson is one of the songwriters Paul has most warmly admired. Paul has praised Wilson’s musical genius and the emotional power of his songs. That admiration should not be treated as a definitive ranking of every songwriter: Paul’s influences also include rock ’n’ roll performers and the writers of the standards he heard growing up.

 

Ref: Paul McCartney — Brian Wilson

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Did Paul McCartney ever learn to read music?

Paul has described himself as someone who does not read or write conventional musical notation fluently. In a 2018 WIRED interview, he explained that he can follow some of the shape of sheet music and uses guitar chord names and lyrics. He composes through playing, listening and musical memory.

 

Ref: WIRED — Paul McCartney

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What is Paul McCartney’s favourite song that he wrote?

“Here, There and Everywhere” is often named among Paul’s favourites from his own catalogue. Released on Revolver in 1966, it also received John’s admiration. Favourite-song answers can vary with the interview and the occasion, so it is better to describe it as a particular favourite than an unchanging, exclusive choice.

 

Ref: The Beatles — Here, There and Everywhere

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Could Lennon and McCartney read music?

Neither relied on fluently reading and writing staff notation to compose Beatles songs. They developed music by ear, on instruments and together in rehearsal. Reading a score and writing a song are different skills: their work demonstrates how sophisticated melodies, harmonies and arrangements can grow from listening and practical experience.

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Could John Lennon write music?

Yes. John wrote melodies as well as lyrics. Songs such as “Strawberry Fields Forever” show his ability to turn personal ideas into distinctive musical forms. His lack of formal notation skills did not prevent him from composing. Lennon–McCartney was the shared credit used for many Beatles songs, including songs mainly written by John.

 

Ref: The Beatles — Anthology

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Who taught Paul McCartney everything?

This question comes from Little Richard’s playful claim, which Paul affectionately acknowledged. Little Richard had a major influence on Paul’s singing and performance style, especially his high-energy rock ’n’ roll vocals. He was an inspiration rather than Paul’s sole music teacher; Paul learned from family, records, friends and years of performing.

 

Ref: Paul McCartney — Little Richard

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Did Paul or John write In My Life?

John originated “In My Life” and wrote its lyrics. The extent of Paul’s contribution to the melody remains disputed in their later recollections. It is credited to Lennon–McCartney, and George Martin contributed the instrumental piano bridge. A careful answer acknowledges the disagreement rather than presenting either later account as settled fact.

 

However, the song began as a much more literal journey through John’s Liverpool childhood. His early draft named Penny Lane, Church Road’s clock tower, the Abbey Cinema, the tram sheds and the Dockers’ Umbrella. John later told David Sheff that listing the sights on a bus journey into town felt boring and was not working, so he reworked the lyrics into the wider reflection on remembered places, friends and lovers that we know today. His handwritten early draft is held by the British Library.

 

The Abbey Cinema faces the Picton Clock Tower at the corner of Church Road North and Childwall Road. Nearby, the Coffee House pub has another family connection: according to Mark Lewisohn’s Tune In, John’s mother, Julia, worked there after the war and met John “Bobby” Dykins there.

 

Ref: British Library — John’s handwritten draft

Ref: John Lennon / David Sheff — via Beatles Bible

Ref: Historic England — Abbey Cinema

Ref: Mark Lewisohn — Tune In, p. 33

Ref: The Beatles — In My Life