John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s creative partnership thrived on a simple rule — the main songwriter of a track had the final decision over how it was made. However, that understanding didn’t always prevent disagreements between the two. One notable example surfaced during the making of Abbey Road, The Beatles’ second-to-last album. Years later, Lennon openly expressed regret that McCartney insisted on taking the lead vocals for a particular song that he believed suited him better.
In a 1980 conversation with David Geffen, one of Lennon’s last interviews before his death, he reflected on McCartney’s performance of “Oh! Darling.” Lennon praised the song’s composition but criticized the delivery, claiming it didn’t fully capture the raw emotion he felt it needed. He remarked that the song was “a great one of Paul’s that he didn’t sing too well,” adding that it matched his own vocal style more closely. Lennon bluntly stated that McCartney “should have let me sing it,” though he admitted that since Paul wrote it, the decision was his to make.
The tension over “Oh! Darling” revealed how both artists had distinct musical identities despite their collaboration. Lennon’s gravelly, intense tone often contrasted with McCartney’s smoother, more melodic voice. Many fans and critics have since agreed that Lennon’s rougher edge might have given the song a deeper blues feel, aligning more with tracks like Lennon’s “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” than McCartney’s lighthearted “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”
Even so, McCartney’s devotion to perfecting the vocal was legendary — he reportedly sang “Oh! Darling” daily for weeks, striving to get the right level of grit and emotion. Despite Lennon’s doubts, McCartney’s rendition became one of his most powerful rock performances, marked by its desperation and raw energy. The song ultimately stood as another example of the pair’s creative rivalry pushing each other to new artistic heights.
In hindsight, Lennon’s comments shed light on how much both men cared about every detail of their music. Their differing approaches often sparked debate but also fueled The Beatles’ evolution. “Oh! Darling” remains a fascinating “what if” moment in Beatles history — a track that showcases McCartney’s determination and Lennon’s unfiltered honesty, proving that even their disagreements contributed to the band’s enduring magic.
About the Author
