How The Beatles Made "Across The Universe"

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Forgot to put the links to my album, If you like The Beatles you might get a kick out of these. LINKS TO MY NEW AlBUM APPLE MUSIC tinyurl.com/ybbjltoo SPOTIFY tinyurl.com/y7zb2v42 ITUNES tinyurl.com/yabzhvb9 GOOGLE PLAY tinyurl.com/ydgqyyd5 AMAZON tinyurl.com/y7c355du

[@4rah46]

Really like your new song, well done

[@Orechaser]

Great song, great arrangement

[@MrMarkstyles]

I'm really liking your material. You've got a lot of the Beatles techniques and processes down very well. Your videos on Beatles tunes is right on also.

[@MonigMedia]

John Lennon said that at 39, and Paul said to him that the fued wasn't as bad as many say it was, with that being said Lennon still had regrets that his music was underproduced compared to how it was in Imagine or rock'n roll. I believe that Lennon meant every word and that Paul was being too self-centered having had the success that he had. There was not a great deal of explicit communication with Paul but just passive aggressive suggestions that later became productions; Magical Mystery Tuor; Stg Pepper and the Beatles album was really a breather in which they all reflected on what they wanted rather than follow another Beatle. The death or Epstein really played a factor in making these boys into independent artists really for egocentric thinking to later consume them. But hey I'm just a beatlemaniac eating a glass onion.

[@kathystromberger6560]

I think there was a rivalry between John and Paul....both wanted to be considered the "best" of the duo. They were such a huge success but were tiring of the grind and the issues. I think squabbles and put downs were just part of the ending of the group...but the daily patterns are long gone and only something to speculate on now.

[@debomb721]

Shit if John felt like his songs weren’t taken seriously imagine how George felt

[@grimtraveller7923]

Good point ~ and John was the one that put it out there that George didn't "have the material" which was nonsense.

[@nicolash2554]

They should have just let George do his thing because most of his solo work is 100% worthy to be in a Beatles record. If you listen to George’s All Things Must Pass album you can clearly hear some songs that sound like something out of a Beatles album and I bet he wrote those songs for a Beatles record.

[@debomb721]

Nicolas Hernandez such a great album

[@kamstewart7755]

Yeah so true

[@CH-jq9ry]

Its easy if you try

[@floatthecreek]

I'm an old man. My time on Earth is getting close to an end. Of all the great music John Lennon gave us this is the song that truly touches my soul. It's perfect. It will be played at my funeral. See Y'all on the other side.

[@krisa4029]

thats beautiful

[@MsPlayfulspirit]

I had it played at my son's funeral. It was "our song."

[@floatthecreek]

@@MsPlayfulspirit I'm so sorry for your loss. One day soon you'll be together again in a much better place. I hope to see you both when that comes. Take Care.

[@symphony-of-the-mint2008]

I don't understand why more people don't talk about Across the Universe, let alone how good it is. It's gotta be in the top 10 Beatles songs, maybe even top 5.

[@JoseRodriguez-ni8lg]

For me, it is in the top 2, together with A Day in the Life.

[@leeabend8079]

To me there's the top 2 hundred and their all equal.

[@TVSSC21]

Agreed. It’s odd it’s not more acclaimed. It’s my 2nd fav. And it’s for sure a top 10 Beatles song

[@dsw-2898]

It's my favorite

[@chrismacdonald7955]

I always felt that this song was absolute poetry. As for your question, all I will say is that I read a story many many years ago which quoted Paul saying that when he was young and got a telling off from his Mother, to get even he would stand at the window and make a little tear in her lace curtains....just saying.

[@OM-tu7ei]

Imagine 50+ years after the Beatles disbanded, we are still talking about them. That's how deep is their influenced to world. Thank God he gave these 4 lads to us in our generation

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

That's why I say if anyone claims they were overrated just think how many are still talking about and enjoying their music over 1/2 a century later. That says it all right there.

[@robjohnston1433]

Why are you "thanking" a totally imaginary, destructive and revolting concept like "God"? The Beatles -- individually and collectively -- created THEMSELVES, with the help and influence of other people. NO dumb "supernatural" contribution was required (even IF some of them thought so!)

[@nedgrant918]

Back in the ‘60’s, we had no idea that “Beatlemania”, as frivolous as it sounded, would become a virtual religion. “We’re more popular than Jesus,” said Lennon in disbelief and disgust: little did he know!

[@NickSharpe]

The New classical

[@SargonofQueens]

The Rolling Stones are still touring after 60 years.

[@akatsuki3573]

Across the Universe is my favorite song of all time. I can listen to it in any mood, and always makes me feel at peace.

[@eleazar-reyagudo1400]

Paul did not sabotage John. He is merely acting as the leader during.the times that John was falling out. The man loved John.

[@sacluvsBM]

No doubt. But Paul inserted himself into Brian's role and it caused much resentment. George more than anyone at that time. He did not want to be Paul's sideman or studio musician. George said it many times.

[@angelablackthorne3026]

I don't think John was paranoid. John himself said it was a "subconscious sabotage". That quote was from 1980! We often unconsciously sabotage relationships with people we care deeply about without being aware of it. People often make their biggest mistakes with the people closest to them. There's no doubt that John and Paul loved each other, but there's no doubt there was a rift, and it was based on more than ego or paranoia on John's part. Still Love ya, Paul! lol

[@cammarc]

@@sacluvsBM To be fair though, it was either that or the band's death. Hell, that wasn't even avoided, just delayed. John was clearly not that invested in the band by that point. George wasn't writing that much at that point. He had written some songs, including great ones like Taxman, but not that much. He would flourish as a songwriter later on, even though it wasn't appropriately acknowledged by Paul (or John) at the time. John had already thought about leaving when they stopped touring and he thought Brian's death was the end. If Paul hadn't stepped in maybe they would have made more music John and George were happy with, but much more likely it would have ended much sooner than it did.

[@tanyachou4474]

Paul is like a perfect human being. I like to be Paul, but we all know we are John.. it is one of my fav song.

[@hannahg8439]

Exactly.

[@andrewmcdaniel4645]

It's been said that Paul was the workaholic of the band and would usually be the one pushing for perfection in every small detail, sometimes to the dismay of the other lads. However, Paul was also a great admirer of John's talent. Could it be that Paul, knowing when John had brought something great to the table, was simply letting go of the reins out of respect? It would make sense that the recording process would become looser and more experimental without Paul driving the project as he would with his own tunes. With the working dynamic of the band at the time and John being a bit of a "jealous guy," it also makes sense that he could perceive this as disinterest and sabotage. This is all conjecture, of course. We'll probably never know for sure but at least we have some beautiful music over which to ponder these things.

[@Bobby-vy3se]

Well said 👍

[@seanfullertonmusic9885]

Let's not forget how George Harrison was fluffed off many-a-time by both Paul and John for what became great songs of his. I agree with you man, that Paul backed off out of respect.

[@gabrielasplund3390]

Exactly this.

[@gabrielasplund3390]

Although Paul’s songs weren't always straightforward as John said. His own compositions were often very experimental as well, doing various styles and new innovation of "heaviness" in songs such as Helter Skelter, screaming in Oh Darling, both of which John again expressed resentment towards. I think "Jealous Guy" was a clear self-analytical statement by John about this flaw in his own personality. None of us were there so it is not possible to know very well how the working relationship really were within the band, as they each have their own individual experience of it. What we can say though is that if it weren't for Paul's experimental nature, the Beatles wouldn't have broken as much ground as they did. There is a common miscategorisation that John was avant-garde and Paul weren’t at the time of the Beatles, when nearly every famous example of experiments in the studio came from an idea by Paul. He arranged and conducted the orchestra in "A Day In The Life" without really knowing how, the whole idea of Sgt. Pepper came from him, including the concept of the cover art, the unreleased "Carival Of Light" project and much more. He kept them going and working, and whether or not he was too much in control over what they did, what they end up achieving was mostly due to him. I think it’s also worth mentioning that Paul barley has fired any shots publicly towards his former band members even though they often did that to him. He seem to put more focus on that in the end they loved each other even if it went sour towards the end, and wanted to stop holding the grudges. Which I think shows he is an upstanding kind of guy.

[@andrewmcdaniel4645]

@@gabrielasplund3390 I absolutely agree! John, Paul and George each brought their own forms of experimentation to the band. Perhaps most notably John's lyricism and wit, Paul's ear for arrangements and conceptual ideas, and George's spiritualism and Eastern influences. Of course I am simplifying here; there was certainly crossover and outside influences (i.e. George Martin, Yoko Ono, etc.) at play but the idea is that they each had increasingly different mindsets, priorities and work styles by this point. What was once a tight musical unit became three strong-willed individual artists trying to collaborate and it's no wonder they would butt heads and grow resentful when one felt they weren't getting a fair shake. Like many a serious relationship gone bad, they each left with their own perception of who was right or wrong. I know Paul gets a lot of crap for being too "PR" about these things but, like you, I commend him for choosing to focus on the positives (one can only hope he's being sincere and not pandering). On a side note, apologies to Ringo for not including him in this. Peace and love, Ringo!

[@supercullen0047]

This is without a doubt my favorite song. I have never yearned for something so cosmic that allows me to cast myself away from my life. A beautiful piece of writing.

[@graytv-7345]

Yes

[@diane6643]

yes, so many layers.

[@hemanshu3698]

Says the dude that has Patrick as his pfp

[@SheilaTheGrate]

Why not both? You have two egos that are butting heads. John wasn't always the nicest guy - and he would be the first to say so. It's not out of this world to think that Paul may have not dealt with John in the most unbiased way. At the same time, writing songs makes one incredibly vulnerable, so maybe John was extra sensitive/paranoid when his ideas weren't being taken as seriously as he thought that they should be. It's an interesting exercise trying to figure out motivation and internal thoughts - we can never really know for sure.

[@BrianNguyenIHASDACANSER]

This honestly makes the most sense because of the differences that Paul and John had especially later around this thime

[@Taffy064]

You put that comment so much better than I ever could.

[@yermother2364]

You copied and pasted this I just found the original comment you dumbass

[@wobbafett2464]

I have been on john's shoes wherein my material was being bypassed with another bandmate's writing for his, 2 headstrong songwriters in a group are gonna clash at some point

[@db-lp2bl]

whatever it was, it really doesn't matter in the end, because they inspired each other's creativity and we are left with absolute gems. no other band comes close to the beatles' songwriting abilities.

[@Nicco1957]

The Beatles, and especially George Martin put a lot of time into Strawberry Fields and pulled a few rabbits out of hats in order to make it a masterpiece. How John can be dissatisfied with it is beyond reason. Just listen to the demos - they took that song to heights the demo didn't even suggest. I love John, probably the most important person who lived in my lifetime (born 1957), but he was a fragile human just like all of us.

[@cantkeepitin]

I fully agree on Strawberry Fields!!

[@mariaiordanidou8112]

I love how you worded it …. I totally agree

[@SomebodyPickaName]

Great points!! I didn't even think of that until you mentioned it.

[@carl_anderson9315]

Strawberry Fields Forever is a masterpiece from any angle. But I think Lennon was resentful by Paul getting away with suggestions that John did not approve, and George Martin allowing it, and for me that is more palpable in the Get Back sessions. The amount of time and effort Paul took from his bandmates into his own songs is insane. When I was younger I wondered why John made such a horrible track of Across The Universe (the one in Past Masters 2). Birds chirping, children voices, an annoying background harmony, some descending “ah-ah-ah”s that sounded cheesy as hell. How could John dislike the better version Phil Spector made, that sounded more spaced, with a professional female choir, orchestra, John’s voice dubbed. The answer: it was the other way around. John loved Spector’s version and hated Martin’s version, filled with Paul ideas added at the last minute. Then I understood a lot of things I didn’t notice the first time. Everyone blames Yoko, but she’s not doing anything. Paul was getting more and more controlling. He was a genius with his own songs. But it was clear to me that John had to struggle to avoid Paul getting his hands completely on his recordings. The purest, untouched songs from John are the ones that work better for me. And same as Paul’s. George was alone, almost all the time. His closest collaborator was George Martin and they were able to produce wonders: Within You Without You, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes The Sun…

[@johnmckay7621]

Damn, this is probably the best comment section on the whole internet.

[@peterschleh9382]

Agreed this is so much fun. Nobody else wants to listen to us discuss this shit

[@timothypierce6576]

@@peterschleh9382 lol

[@commentfreely5443]

ha, now it's ruined.

[@taylorwalters3191]

Yeah no comment section ever seems to have a friendly debate over something this controversial, I gues people are just passionate about things to a point were if a controversy comes up they will firmly stand for what they belive. It all realy depends on the subject, you never see a Republican and Democrat having a friendly discussion. At least they are passionate for something.

[@tardis5179]

Ya Damn Right

[@kadin2356]

I’m thinking Paul didn’t want to take control of Johns songs so it seemed like Paul didn’t work as hard with them

[@thomaskeough1]

I was thinking the same thing. Paul might not have wanted to take over the songs. We’re fortunate that there was more experimentation in those songs as they came out great.

[@kongmik]

It was ghost writers. Beatles only sang on the big majority of songs.

[@donalso]

I take your point. I have heard so many times that Paul was the guy to say lets get to the studio guys. John and Ringo would prefer to take tea in the garden as Ringo put it. I just loved John's happiness in the early days, then he got sad for some reason. I remember being happy for him around the time of Double Fantasy. seemingly coming out of some kind of funk. All I can say is, thank you John, Thank you Paul, thank you George and thank you Ringo in order of their respective induction to the group and themselves. They passed my audition.

[@brads2362]

My guess is that, Paul being the perfectionist, insisted his own material be worked to exactly the state he wanted it. John, being more instinctual, probably followed his muse through the creative process, but grew impatient with take after take studio kind of stuff. George Martin (and Paul too) probably pushed for more complicated arrangements as that was the direction the band was going in. Lennon would allow this, rather than micro-manage as Paul would. So, if that's anywhere near an accurate read, its creative and stylistic differences, but not sabotage.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

I think you're making a very important point to this question. I hadn't considered how different each of their methods of song writing were. Paul always seem to know where he was going and John was letting it happen to him cosmically.

[@lucasmcgill2636]

This reminds me of Paul only taking a day off to be a judge at a beauty pageant in the mid early years while John would sleep all day and would wait for a call from Paul telling him they need to go back into the studio

[@djkaka020772]

You nailed it right on the head!!!! Well said!!!

[@Nerkin610]

This, I think, is correct. It may be seen as sabotage when Paul spent hours and hours on end to perfect his own songs with the band while just letting loose on John’s songs, but that is just a reflection of their musical personas. It’s the way they approached the art. John didn’t mind the looseness, being the instinctive person he was, while perfectionist Paul just worked his brains off to get it all just the way he heard it in his head. You’re much right, that is a very truthful wording of the issue.

[@uncle-epicurus]

Brad Strauss Excellent observation, Man! I agree wholely!

[@hollycrawford6054]

Maybe someone's said this already, but I think Paul had a vision in his head for his own songs and strove to achieve it with the band in a meticulous fashion. He wouldn't have an end result in his head for John's songs, so he would just be creative. I think Paul was ambitious and a control freak, but had no reason to sabotage anyone. I also think that he (Paul) didn't recognize the intimidating effect he had on others, as both John and George expressed these kinds of feelings.

[@rhodrifrost586]

Paul would obviously be more of a perfectionist to his own music though than he would johns or anyone else’s. And that’s not even selfishness or being vindictive, it’s just that he knows naturally what he wants from his song over someone else’s. I get why John would feel the way he did but I think he was being slightly paranoid.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Right, why wouldn't you be. But I wonder if John just didn't know how to ask for help.

[@bobgreen623]

I think maybe John was a little paranoid, compare his and Paul's post-Beatles output - Paul's was always more detailed and arranged, whereas John's tended to feel a little less polished. And maybe that's how they both wanted their final mixes to sound. Personally, I love that really bare sound on the Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album, it doesn't need anything else.

[@MrSirMrSirMr]

@@JamesMaharajOfficial I think you're right. I think John was bad at asking for help, and at articulating the helping he wanted, and I think Paul was bad at picking up on other people's emotions - he missed John's frustrations.

[@hannahg8439]

Exactly

[@SuperGogetem]

@@bobgreen623 Interesting when you compare each ex-Beatle on how they treated their side-men on their solo projects. John was only really the "boss" on Double Fantasy. He wanted an entirely new band so he could feel comfortable being really picky about how he wanted things played. He said he didn't feel he could do that on his other albums because he was friends with them all and didn't want to come down hard on them. Paul, on the other hand, went through quite a few line-up changes in Wings mainly due to his being so overbearing and critical. Only now that he's become mostly an oldies act has settled on a long-term touring line-up. Paul the perfectionist and John with his ambivalence and insecurities?

[@curly_wyn]

It’s my favorite Beatles song, and John himself loved it too, saying “it’s some of the best lyrics I’ve ever wrote!”

[@Robil63]

Lol the irony of that quote

[@shyman99]

When I hear John's output with the Beatles (Paul & George Martin) and then without the Beatles (Spector & Yoko), I'd say Paul helped him, not hurt him.

[@originalmrjojangles]

You could certainly say the same thing, to a much greater degree, about Paul's solo work without John. I don't believe with John around Paul could have gotten away with writing, and certainly with recording, so much sappy material and silly lyrics.

[@katskiitakk]

@@originalmrjojangles paul mcartney and the wings made some bangers my guy

[@kenshiloh]

That's a great point! I think that each Beatle was right in thinking of their respective solo careers, "Wow! How can I top the Beatles?" I do not think any of them ever did. However, they still wrote some great tunes! There was just a kind of magic chemistry with, not just the four of them, but also include Martin and (engineer) Emerick. By the way, if you are a true blue Beatle fan, don't miss reading Emerick's book. He was the perfect engineer for them, the six of them becoming like a perfect storm. There were six geniuses creating those albums.

[@kenshiloh]

To elaborate on my last point, that the Beatles were really a six man band (including George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick), check out the forward drums on 'tomorrow never knows.' Unlike the stuffed shirts at EMI, Geoff was born to create different types of recorded sound. Likewise, the bass guitar on my personal favorite, Paperback Writer, Geoff - are you ready - decided to use a bass amplifier as Paul's microphone. Ever notice how extraordinary the bass sounds on that song? It would not have had half the punch without Geoff. Concerning George Martin, he was not impressed with the Beatle's music when he first heard them. In fact, Decca records get a lot of flack for rejecting the Beatles, but I tend to agree with the executives that they were not that sharp. Martin was like a rock polisher. He caused the band to shine. Without Martin's direction, I do not think they would have gone too far out the Cavern.

[@davidg5629]

You are correct, shyman. John's solo work is lukewarm. 'Imagine' being the worst song of the batch. Beatles forever!

[@julianmcmanus3384]

What about George's while my guitar gently weeps, neither John nor Paul cared for it

[@chezzer58]

Not Guilty was dismissed too.

[@thomaspumilia8992]

I had a hard time liking Not Guilty.

[@chezzer58]

@@thomaspumilia8992 Did you feel guilty?

[@thomaspumilia8992]

chezzer58 George’s most of them Great, some of them hard to listen to.

[@thomaspumilia8992]

I believe had Brian Epstein lived, the Beatles would’ve lasted at least, another 5 years! He would’ve took the pressure off of Paul, who felt he had to take the managers role. Brian would’ve kept all the business bullshit away from them and made sure they got all the money they deserved! Leaving the Beatles to doing what what they did best. They would’ve probably jockeyed back n forth maybe doing solo stuff and then Beatles stuff giving George the opportunity to play all his songs! Just a thought.

[@gregoryfry2700]

For years I was thinking this song was about a revelation of sorts - humbly contemplating the grandiosity of what could be out there in the fabric of the universe. But now I must choose between: A. John was paranoid Or B. Paul was a saboteur Lol. The answer is of course : C. It doesn’t matter. Over the years I’ve listened and sang and chewed on this song so many times; and I’m sure millions (?) of others have as well-each of us bending it a little bit and applying our understanding to it -that it couldn’t be any more perfect. So Paul used just the right amount of treachery and John was just the right amount of neurotic. I always find it reassuring to know that John and Paul, who occupy such a hallowed place in the mind of many, have human moments that weren’t necessarily all that pretty (or maybe they were divinely beautiful). And as “unpretty”. as the last days of the Beatles may have been with the bickering and suspicions, my god there was a ton of great music that came out of it. The music was SO good not even Phil Spector could tarnish it very much. I find it hard to believe that George Harrison didn’t totally dig this song. As a matter of fact (maybe) without Across the Universe there might not be a My Sweet Lord. And there may not have been an Across the Universe without a Yesterday. So, in conclusion, Across the Universe, which was officially written by John Lennon AND Paul McCartney, always puts me in the mood for a nice stream-of-consciousness rant. Now that’s good art.

[@hunkhk]

brilliant comment - thanks, spot on

[@jwardbass4452]

Lennon was brutally honest and very detailed in his explanations of the behind the scenes for their songs. One of the most interesting musicians to interview of all time.

[@luberdoo1950]

I'm 73. The Beatles landed in NYC on my 14th birthday, Feb 7, 1964. I remember being more of a Dave Clark 5 fan, initially, and then like most of my peers, hopped on the Beatles bandwagon. What an incredible soundtrack of music they, and other bands, created for my adolescence. Over the years, reflecting on their impact on my personal life as a young person, I had wished that McCartney with his lovely melodies, could write lyrics the way that Lennon did. As for McCartney sabotaging, even unconsciously, Lennon's songs, I'm going to speculate, no. What an incredible pair they were.

[@robertwiles8106]

It could be said that John sabotaged The Long And Winding Road with his terrible bass playing. It was almost beyond Phil Spector's abilities to clean up.

[@dsw-2898]

Old head

[@hansvonessen6259]

Across The Universe is one of my most favourite songs in The Beatles' album Let It Be.

[@suesjoy]

My favorite Beatles’ song and one of the best songs ever written.

[@LeeRenthlei]

I'm disappointed that they didn't released this as a single

[@royalanizjr5733]

Why is that? Genuinely asking

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@royalanizjr5733 From what I understand and read, it was decided that Lady Madonna would be issued. It's mentioned in this video

[@hunkhk]

i mean really why does it matter they didnt need critical acclaim they had everything they still are the biggest force in popular music even 50 odd years later. Im just grateful that John wrote that master piece and we can still enjoy it today #beatlesforever

[@CJA-jf8db]

I know right? It's so good. Just curious, do you think it's should have been a single over The Long and Winding Road?

[@p4hmusic526]

I could imagine that its a little of both. John was going through a tough phase at this moment and didn't really want to be a part of the Beatles anymore. On the other side, Paul was still very enthusiastic and focused on the Beatles and so he taked the lead. Paul really became a perfectionist and kind of controlled every take, every little melody and every drum arrangement etc. the others did twice. I think everybody here knows the video of Paul and George arguing over Georges guitar play and of George being pretty pissed about that. I think, because Paul lead the group like this, John felt more and more cramped within his creative process and so became a little paranoid. Harmless (but serious) advice or criticism of Pauls, John would see as an sabotage of his creative process. In addition: John had some problems he had to fight with. The band didn't like his love Yoko and were subtile insulting her, Paul was dragging him along even though it was his wish to leave the Beatles etc. etc. John was in a mental, not ill, but in an unstable condition so he might have taken the criticism (espacially Pauls) as an insult or understood it as an attack. Thats why he might have came to the assumption that Paul was sabotaging him.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

It's so unfortunate he felt so alone so often. I bet Paul wanted to be closer to him too but it's hard if someone thinks you're suspicious.

[@aniyaanderson3676]

This song completely explains my feelings about everything. I am an over thinker, and that’s the way that I interpret the song. “nothings going to change my world” means to me that the life I have is a continuous loop that I can’t seem to escape from.

[@sthulander1]

Aniya - This song is about the infinite field of awareness within, 'the transcendent field' permeating all of life. . . It is the proverbial chase for an 'absolute', non-changing and eternal field that remains permanent even during deepest sleep . . . enlightenment; even glimpses of enlightenment such as this seemingly autobiographical lyric of John's. Transcending daily, as John is reporting here, brings one beyond the vast field of constant change, and into one's inner experiences of transcending. And yes, I feel your point is also valid . . . John is, at once, complaining about the endlessness of change, everywhere in his vision; save for closing the eyes into utter stillness and peace . . . twice a day. John was amazingly focused on hours-long meditations at Rishikesh . . . so much so, that many believe he went a bit overboard (which always has loosened stresses playing havoc for a while ) . . . and the need for stabilizing the integration of stillness and silence within the nervous system.

[@jordan.newsom]

So weird...this song has been stuck in my head this morning!

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Imagine how I felt making this video. I'm still humming it.

[@tamaramiller3483]

@@JamesMaharajOfficial and the way you narrate the video....One can feel the emotion in your voice. Thank you for making this vid and thank you especially for the Way you made it-

[@FromtheForesttotheTrees]

It's not so much a sabotage it's more about John giving away his power to Paul, which was a reflection of John's lack of inner self worth. They had been friends and co-writers for a long time, and as time changed they began to reflect and project different aspects of themselves on to each other, including their deep false beliefs and insecurities and so on that we all have within ourselves. Across the Universe is my favorite John song. I am so glad to understand how it came to him, and it is a GREAT song.

[@TheUnknownMattawa]

After watching the Let It Be film I understand what John Lennon means. There seemed to be almost an apathetic tone when the band were rehearsing John's songs. I don't think it was intentional but probably happened because he wasn't as strict on how his songs were done and Paul was becoming ever more of a perfectionist on his own songs. Adding to this there was Yoko now in the studio and followed John around even giving the band input at times. I think Paul didn't sabotage Lennon's songs on purpose but it became a habit over time to play loose in his songs. The two seemed to drift apart musically during this time and they had trouble communicating to each other on songs.

[@julianandres6211]

Yes, I read somewhere that Paul mentioned feeling embarassed at asking John if he could sing some backing-vocals on Come Together.

[@mightymartianca]

John really didn't have a lot of great material for Let It Be. Even John thought songs like I Dig A Pony were pretty much throwaways. They had used up a lot of the songs during the White Album sessions, and the Get Back sessions were dominated by left overs. Even Paul really had only two stand out songs; Let It Be and Get Back (and frankly, the latter, while a decent rocker, only stands out because of the mediocrity of a lot of other parts of the record), and pretty much the rest of the album was filler. When they agreed for one final push with Abbey Road, the side two medley is made up of song fragments that they never completed, and they found a way to string them together, thanks to George Martin being in control again and the band agreeing to put aside the acrimony.

[@julianandres6211]

@@mightymartianca I'd say The Long & Winding Road was a pretty special song too (and he had Junk and Maybe I'm Amazed in the bag by then too). If only they'd have included those and also replaced For You Blue with All Things Must Pass and included Don't Let Me Down the album would've been pretty much immaculate. But even on songs that weren't necessaily outstanding songs in themselves --- Two Of Us, I've Got A Feeling --- they had the knack for making them sound remarkable through the actual performances. Their throwaway stuff still outpaced other bands' career-best. By the time they were doing Abbey Road the really strong songs were both George's, but they (primarily Paul and George Martin really) still made something remarkable out of a bunch of bits and pieces.

[@topgunpigeonsphilippines4016]

John's being Vodooed by that YokoVodoo

[@kenshiloh]

I think there may have been some difficulty with Paul doing John's songs after Yoko entered the picture. However, I think John had every right to bring her to their sessions. He only wanted to be a Beatle if Yoko was with him. Can't blame him for that. Paul and the others could have said, "Well, I think this is the end of it." Can't blame anybody. They were not in the band except they were having fun. The fun stops, the band stops. That's life!

[@michaelmisanthrope]

I love that song and I thought it was one of the better recordings on the "Let it Be" album. Lennon also did another version of the song on David Bowie's "Young Americans" album. It is sad to say but Lennon was going through some psychological difficulties around the time of his death. He had been experimenting with sensory deprivation and was trying to deal with his own neurosis in other ways. I don't think it is accurate or fair to make such claims about McCartney. It's a great recording. If it were sabotaged than the saboteur must have been quite incompetent. We should remember that "Let it Be" was their breakup album. All of the members were going through some major shit. It is quite amazing that. under those circumstances, they were able to create this throw back album. P.S.: I really enjoyed "The Engineers are Here."

[@raulmexb]

No it wasn't one oft the best? It was & is the best that he has writing for me!

[@NicolaiRathjen]

I think Paul liked to control every aspect of his own songs. Him not putting the same efforts into John's songs could feel like sabotage.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

This is interesting. Like if I wrote a song; It's my baby. I want to make sure it get the attention it deserves no matter what. And perhaps I wouldn't fight so hard for someones else's song. They should fight for their own right?

[@smithaustin624]

Some of the BEST Bass lines Paul ever recorded as a Beatles were on John's songs. So don't give me this BS. Dear Prudence Hey Bulldog I Want You Come Together

[@dekugh64]

Smithaustin yeah but John is the owner of the song, if he wanted to make it better it was his responsibility, not Paul's

[@NicolaiRathjen]

@@dekugh64 Excactly my point. Maybe John felt his songs weren't recorded and produced with the same care as Paul's songs because Paul felt John should be responsible for the songs he wrote.

[@dpstrial]

@@smithaustin624 Good observation. For me one of the best bass lines was on Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite - John's song.

[@scottb828]

My interpretation, since learning TM back in the 1970s, has always been that the line, "Nothing's gonna change my world" is not a declaration that my world is fine the way it is, or a stubborn refusal to accept change, but a positive statement that "nothing," meaning emptiness or nothingness in my mind--which is the "goal" in meditation practice--IS going to change my world. Sure, there will be thoughts meandering like a restless wind and so on, but the nothingness I achieve is going to have a profound effect on my world and my existence.

[@fadthetic]

💛

[@animalsoulconnection]

Brilliant!

[@alangordon99]

When I hear the words "nothing's gonna change my world" I take it to mean that nothing external can impact the world I create for myself - my inner world. it's a declaration of separating your inner world from the endless change of the outer world.

[@Bigbooster126]

I don't believe any of the band is responsible for sabotage per se, just a collection of talented individuals that each had their own idea of what makes a great song. The problem with this was that they were all right in their own way.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Sabotage is a very heavy word to use for your best friend/ writing partner. I wonder what John would so he was alive now about it.

[@vernon197]

Totally agree with you

[@Bigstooler0]

Bigbooster126 This is "Bigstooler" saying "Hello" because our names are similar

[@CampyVampy]

I believe that John genuinely felt that way about Paul. He called it “subconscious sabotage” which implies that Paul didn’t realize he was doing it, which may have been true. Though, I believe the sentiment goes both ways as I’ve heard Paul express similar feelings about John never praising him, and how Paul’s favorite Beatles song is “Here, There, Everywhere” because it was the only one that John ever complimented him on. It sounds like they both admired each other very much and thought each other talented, yet also felt in competition with another. Much like sibling rivalry. Like brothers.

[@ToneSherpa]

that was the beauty of it. they had a friendly rivalry to always write the best song and it's what made their songs so great.

[@qwertyuiop-ke7fs]

Johns music is more emotionally approachable. Paul wrote borderline showtunes. I think John was jealous of Paul's popular melodies and Paul was jealous of John's emotional rawness

[@ToneSherpa]

@@qwertyuiop-ke7fs it's craft vs artistry. they both had both, but each leaned more heavily towards one or the other.

[@armandgallanosa]

Paul probably would focus less on John's masterpieces than his own

[@stevenlight5006]

Wooten u

[@roblund6919]

Paul was only human after all

[@patricshaw]

no, I can't believe that Paul would sabotage "across the universe" I love the sound of that song first on the original record and on the second raw version...its a masterpiece, a piece of poetry

[@kevinfreitas2107]

I won’t speculate, but after listening to all the Parlophone and Apple albums over the last two months, I was taken by how the early records seemed to feature more John material (both originals and covers of raw rockers with John singing lead) while the later albums featured more of Paul’s (more refined productions) material. As far as support for getting songs released as Beatles material, it must be said that George faced greater challenges from Lennon McCartney than John ever did from Paul.

[@chrisbounds7994]

Something.

[@brianwolle2509]

this is very true. one book had a chart that showed john had a bigger output early on.

[@gaillight7501]

Hard drugs may account for decline in output.

[@Amquacktador]

Gail Light I'd say it got to be more because the passing of Brian Epstein and the pressure of handling all by themselves

[@evepaludan7713]

I don't think Paul sabotaged John's song. Inside of any creator's mind, there is an expectation of how the work will sound in its finished version. But then, when you add other people to the collab, the outcome changes from what you imagined it would be. There is no way to exactly describe what other people are doing to alter your vision. You just know that when it was in your head, it was not only different, it was perfection. Manifesting a vision into the tangible here and now is always a tricky business. p.s. Loved your song at the end!

[@Geritopia]

The more you read John interviews, the more you realize that he was mercurial and moody. Because he was killed by an idiot, we'll never know how he might have sorted all this out. "Across the Universe" is a fine song. I recall liking it instantly and thinking it had a unique vibe about it. Maybe we should thank Cynthia for irritating him that night.

[@ewitsroach]

I saw you, a year ago. You unraveled my minds most intricate knots with your content. A year, only a year, yet I still think about your content. Why do I think about you above most, if not all content creators? I don't even understand it, but this is one topic I don't overthink. You gave me wisdom and insight about what I hold closest to me, and you don't even know my name, I can't do anything more than say thanks. Mark my truths, I will make it up to you somehow.

[@danr1920]

John and Paul sabotaged George, who ended up being a Beatle class writer.

[@callahanburke8486]

We all forget, although we were not there with them to begin with, how tight these guys were. Don't get bogged down in interpersonal squabbles, but rejoice in the legacy they have left music.

[@josettekey3533]

Always has been my favorite song by John, done with the other Beatles. It is pure poetry. And no, I don't think it got the attention it deserved.

[@ashsundar2473]

I've always loved "Across the universe " Awesomeness incarnate

[@idresufts5849]

I have a few Beatles faves, and Across the Universe is in my top 5 along with While my Guitar Gently Weeps and In my Life, Because, etc. This song especially cemented my impression of John being that quintessential lyrist and artist. When I like a dong, I will often listen to covers from other artists. I've heard a few artist on this song, most did well. But one thing I noticed, you can't record this song without feeling passion that John put into the lyrics and melody. It always has taken me on this Cosmic Ride. Thank you John!

[@jmssun]

Why do I get the vibe that Paul is the popular personality amongst them, John clinches to Paul for his popularity or to get his approval, and out of insecurity ignores George.

[@hw343434]

Well as far as the Beatles themselves go, it’s like George said, “We’re all John Lennon fans.” John was the one they followed

[@jameslyons3320]

The nuance of the melody and lyrics likely created an emotional cleft between two creative minds that were beginning to occupy distinctly different spaces. Their estrangement was bruising their mutual admiration and I can tell you we Beatle Lovers were weeping inside as it occurred. Fortunately for us the creativity came about in the first place and this song was a particularly bright spot along the way.

[@kannonmcafee]

I don't think John was paranoid. His primal therapist, Arthur Janov referred to him as a genius for his insight into people. My two favorite Beatles songs are Across the Universe and Real Love, both Lennon songs.

[@michaelpadan6375]

i love john's sense of humor, cynical skeptical and sarcastic although he was a serious musician, he didn't seem to take himself so seriously and that behavior projected on his band and the producers

[@thesuncollective1475]

That's so interesting on the writing..I had the same experience when I wrote a song called The Day America Cried..I did not want to write it but had to or couldn't sleep..I won an award for it 6 months later so I'm glad I did.

[@MKida]

Congrats bro

[@dsw-2898]

This is my favorite Beatles song of all time I always had so many questions about the song and you answered them

[@payday1963]

Because of their huge egos, I think both Paul and John felt cheated on the attention given to the recordings of their respective songs. So yes John was paranoid (and Paul probably too). The attention to detail given to Lennon's songs is obvious......just have a listen. Artists are always their own worst critic.

[@cammarc]

@Sam Maloney I agree. People like to shit on Paul for being a control-freak, but the only evidence I have seen of him being like that was with his own songs, which makes sense, as they are his material.

[@josephr.lejeune4539]

Artists often find it difficult to see the full power of a song that they’ve created. It’s a part of the process. Sometimes, with time they can accept a work and know that it’s good, but still understand that what they were striving for in their mind was close, but not achieved. What was in John’s mind? I wish we knew. Thanks to all who got the song to where it’s at. A glorious piece of music.

[@TheWorldTeacher]

🙏🏼 जय गुरूदेव! 🙏🏼 Jaya Gurudeva = praises to the spiritual master.

[@greenatom]

I would have thought it would have made John happy to get experimental on his songs. If he was unhappy about how his songs were done, he always could have recorded different versions as a solo artist, producing them however he saw fit. Across the Universe is a brilliant song. I'm very surprised that the others weren't so fond of it.

[@anirudhsingh2354]

Honestly I have confession to make. I have never heard beatles consciously. thought that like the Pop culture they are over-rated. Around four months back I stumbled on your channel. Now I feel that I should listen to them. Because there is so much to know about them. I would ask you and all the people out here to point me in the right direction. Sorry for being off topic.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

That's awesome, If I could do it all over again I would listen to the albums chronologically and the solo albums. Like traveling through time.

[@jasonjones4857]

Definitely start from the beginning. Love me do and you can here how they started as Elvis and Roy Orbison knock off to the creates of heavy metal with Helter skelter. If you just want the ridiculously awesome rubber soul album is where they became the ultimate band.the albums before that have sneak peak at how great they were but for the most part they were simple 3 cord songs designed to be Poppy and appeal to the masses. But they have great songs like please please me and George's first couple attempts. You have a little over two hundred songs to hear, and that's not including the ones they gave away. Like I call your name that the momma's and Pappas did. if you like off the wall in your face random unexpected stuff, the white album is a must.

[@geozipper]

Just listen to the albums, start to finish & hopefully the British releases (which have all the songs as they should have been heard) & not the U.S. releases. Then, watch this video to more fully appreciate what The Beatles had done with pop/rock music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIK2amSti8mpj8U

[@danvol3835]

Yes, chronologically at first. But whatever album you listen to, take note of the year of release and compare it to the other popular releases in the same year. You will be blown away by how far ahead the Beatles were, and by how many BIG name bands were really just following their lead, even if they were taking it in different directions.

[@brianwolle2509]

the british albums are great, but they dont include the singles most of the time. also get the anthology. put it into perspective i. e. what the times were like. the beatles first movie was in black and white! of course, its better that way.

[@stevenflickinger6325]

This channel is the greatest thing since sliced bread!!! And I'm sure you and The Hollyhobs will be soon getting the recognition you So richl y deserve!!!

[@michaeltingle444]

I think you'll find John was on H and probably got his perspective mixed up.

[@sylvainguillemettte2800]

George Martin said that john and George were working hard on their bits but Paul was the one who worked hard on everything, including John's songs. Maybe he didn't work as hard as usual on Across the universe but overall he worked harder on John's songs that John did on ¨Paul songs.

[@rivenwood3841]

John always wanted more approval from Paul than he would admit to Paul or to himself. In the state of John being paranoid I think John was just too critical of himself and it showed through his own music not, the bands music but his own music like; Across the Universe and other songs he put out before his untimely death. One thing people need to understand is the band, the members in the band and what each member meant to each other then, you can begin to understand John. at one point was the leader of the band then Paul slowly took control as Paul began to write more and more songs without john making john feel "This guy Paul writes better than I do, what will I do" This is where John's insecurity comes from in his own believing in himself as a song writer. Remember, john once said " The song have no meaning they're just words on paper with a tone attached to the words." Overall, I do not try to nit pick the group apart but listen to them for who they were, a good fucking band that will stand the test of time and they are doing a good job. AS men I think they all have sold themselves short on their own abilities each member has given to the world in his own way something that will out last their own life time 20 times over their children's children's children will hear their music. The Beatles music is never ending because whatever power in our universe did to allow their music to stand this way out weights our own humanity to understand it. I am thankful to have witness the Beatles growth through their short few years they were together but were the Beatles every apart or did the band just broke off into four different parts of the band into each member. Each day as I walk through my days of life something always reminds me a word, a secn an event something will trigger one of the Bands songs in my head where I must pop the CD into the machine and listen to those songs over and over This is what those four boys have given to me memories. As for john goes, everything happens for a reason without reason we have no knowing; goodnight John where every you are.

[@raquelmorales774]

Bravo! First of all I love the way you express your self .I agree with you & per cent ,listen to their music every single day,I bilive that John was a fantastic song writher,Paul too it was so much ,two genius at work,with very different personality ,we were the lucky ones to this day.Beatles forever!!'☆

[@juliewishmeyer1461]

John seems over tired. So glad this song was reworked. It is so meaningful and beautiful. So inspired. He was a yogi

[@jmorales09]

I think he was subconsciously doing it, but I believe John was a really paranoid person, and that it wasn't as bad as he put it. And in the end, it benefitted his songs more, so it doesn't really matter.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

I really enjoy John's songs for how experimental they were. Maybe he regretted having done that to his songs. Because in his solo work it had a much more natural vibe.

[@curtgrannis8136]

I'm glad I stumbled upon you n your site! I put so much perspective on talking about music n people along with the bands. You go deep even though you skim across your stories..but not having much time..you do a wonderful deep lasting cut into what ever you happen to be relating to. Of course I'm a Beatles nut. My first records was given to me in my dad's drive way when I was ten. Dont know who gave me them but they were.. black magic woman I want to hold your hand Oh sweet pea..oh won't you dance with me All were 45s Original I never listen to music..didn't have a radio.. But I was so determined to listen to those 45s So I did odd work around the neighborhood n went to a second hand store n bought me a monster fold out turn table with speakers that came off and could be moved three feet away because it had three foot wires from the turn table to the speakers. Ok..that was the begaining of my love for music . Of course the Beatles to this day are my favorite band ever. Any how...love your site very much..thank you n I'm hooked. You have a way about talking.. using the right words n thoughts in such a short time. U go deep n I appreciate that very much. Thank again!!! PS. Do you know what the words from "dream #9" mean? You know...it sounds like a women's body part..but I don't think that is what he is saying. If u know or have a thought on it...I'm all ears!! I'm listening to your music...the jury is still out on it..but I do taste good vibes n hear the words of your songs. I'm going to watch the movie "yesterday" It's about..what if the Beatles did exist. Kinda reminds me of you a lot!

[@pagano60]

I have that particular edition of Poe's "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" on the bookshelf.

[@guruuDev]

I think the Let it Be version of Across the Universe is exquisite, a masterpiece -- hard to imagine the song being done better than that. The Beatles had a synergy where things just came out right in the end. Even the Phil Specter involvement worked this way.

[@aquamarine99911]

Great video, maybe your best. I've always believed that Paul played better bass on the other guys' songs ("Don't Let Me Down", "Rain", Come Together", "Dear Prudence" The list goes on. "Taxman". "Lucy".). George at the time thought Paul overplayed on "Something", perhaps at the time a (subconscious?) attempt to sabotage what was obviously a great love song ("the best" according to Sinatra). So it's not just John thinking this. As a bass player myself who actually got into bass because of "Something", I totally get George's concern. Imagine if John (or George) had played bass like that on "Let It Be"? Paul would like "WTF are you doing?" My interpretation is that Paul did feel competitive, and wanted people to remember him while they enjoyed George's song. As many here have already commented, Paul applied his fastidious perfectionism to his own songs. That he took a more carefree, creative approach to John's and the others songs I don't think constitutes actual intentional sabotage, but I can understand why John would think that. But if Paul REALLY wanted to sabotage "Come Together", he would not have come up with that line. He wanted to put his personal stamp on a great song. It's just human nature - or genius nature in this case.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Thank you and well put. It's makes sense that as the band began to write separately Paul's work ethic would shine.

[@Robins_songs]

You are so right about his "ambitious" bass on George's song. And I do believe John was right, calling it "subconscious" but it hurts none the less.

[@hernanhonoriofortu6802]

Spot on.

[@gregtrimble7113]

I love Paul’s bass part on Something. It takes the song to a much higher level Love John but if he spent less time fucked up on drugs and Yoko he might have had the fortitude to insist his songs be perfected like Pauls

[@captinbeyond]

It's kinda silly for either John or Paul to suggest their songs/writings were not embraced or treated with respect. If anyone in the group can claim that it would be George Harrison.He'd get one or two songs per album and they better be good.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

I love this channel. I was a bit suspicious and kinda annoyed that you promoted your own music on the back of The Beatles but with time I've realised that your dedication to the promotion of The Fabs is paramount and I've seen infinitely more awful ads on the back of Beatle videos. So excuse my former dickheadedness and carry on as you were. Great work. Meticulous and passionate. God bless.

[@isadoramenk8648]

I think John was insecure and would self-doubt himself a lot (and boy was he good at covering it up). He needed his confidence boosted for him to fully get where he want it to get, and when he was alone in believing in the potential of a song he simply couldn't transmit his belief because he didn't had the mental strength to do it by himself. Without the encourage of Paul gradually he would lost the will and give up. Maybe what he was bitter about was Paul not taking his insecurities away. I don't think that it was properly fair to Paul, but that's John. Anyway, it's just my 2 cents on the matter. Let's talk about it :D

[@richievitanaquino737]

This is why john lennon is one of the greatest songwriter of all time this song is way ahead of its time

[@susancorgi]

Anybody who create art understand It’s normal John felt that way about his songs not being care enough. They are his babies. But we can all agee that those great songs by John turned out great.

[@Worldwardinosaur]

Hey everybody! I was greatly influenced by the Beatles and started to write songs and play guitar because of them! If you like them you might wanna take a listen to my music! Someone also said it sounded like David Bowie. I’ve got a twist and shout cover up as well. Thanks for reading sorry for disrupting anything!

[@harrynoke6458]

I wouldn’t say Paul sabotaged John’s songs, but he definitely took them in a direction they were never supposed to go in.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Interesting, how do you mean exactly?

[@harrynoke6458]

The most obvious example would be Strawberry Fields Forever; started off as a acoustic number, but Paul slowed it down and made it more organ-driven. Not necessarily worse, but certainly different.

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

These all sound like excuses for the fact that John was checked-out on strong drugs during this period, and he either did not care at the time, or he failed to stand up for himself and his work. All the stories I have heard about Strawberry Fields Forever indicate that John was very involved in the decision-making while producing it. May he have regretted his choices later or chosen to rationalize his own (self-described) failures of execution? Highly likely. Don't get me wrong, I respect John very much in many ways, but the "laziest man in England," who wrote I'M ONLY SLEEPING about his own ennui not long before this song was written, does seem to chosen to be very negative and judgmental, and, yes, paranoid in those late interviews

[@TheAerovons]

Paul didn't do anything without John's OK, and the real innovator in "SF" was Martin.You don't think "SF" was released against John's will do you? LOL

[@darwindurek148]

Thanks for the deep deep look into the song.

[@suesjoy]

No, I don’t think Paul sabotaged John’s songs. I think John was indeed paranoid. Still love and miss him, though. ✨💖✨

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

I miss him too, I feel bad he felt like that though.

[@jakeragxz]

Across the universe is the greatest song I have ever heard

[@tomholloway7536]

I would hope Paul would not but do we really know him, or anyone, that well? I'm sorry to say we will never know.

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

This is a very good point. I read somewhere once that while everyone hated Heather Mills her sister remarked that "You don't know Paul, You think you do but he's not who he seems like behind closed doors". I mean, with that level of fame, who knows what it can do to a person. Same with John and his potential paranoia.

[@bryanmiller6110]

Listen to both Pauls and johns music with the beatles and solo. The most noticeable difference is this: Pauls music usually lacked the grit and depth solo that it enjoyed with the Beatles. Likewise, Johns music solo lacked the polish and arrangement complexity that it enjoyed with the Beatles. On some level, I honestly believe that is due in part to the band dynamic of which both were of course a member. Whether it was the competition between them, the input of the other or whatever, I think that they demanded a lot of each other. Whether john or the that fact Paul would or could admit it, they were at their best together, so its hard to see “sabotage” as an accurate description.

[@joelcer]

i think john was just paranoid. they have been collaborating side by side since the start but each opted to work on their own style & taste, not as collaborative as before.

[@iamhereblossom1588]

Yeah I think this whole video didn't take the into account how much the Beatles had fallen apart by this point and were just looking to blame each other. The quotes were taken out of context

[@blackbird8516]

John wrote amazing poetry.....the music is also really poetic...almost meditative.......yes stream of consciousness....just beautiful...a spiritual anthem....timeless.....what an enormous gift we were blessed with.....200 years later...it will still resound.

[@athhar3643]

I can't see George disliking the song. It's so similar to his style.

[@brainandmind]

I always thought that the lyrics of Across the Universe were the closest one can get to describing a psychedelic trip, so I was surprised to know that it has probably nothing to do with it. Thanks for bringing this to light.

[@sngscratcher]

I think it must have been difficult for Paul to be in a band with someone as uniquely talented as John Lennon. As good as Paul was, I think it's pretty clear that John's creativity was on a whole nother level. So perhaps Paul was inspired by John's own experimental inclinations, which he then naturally expressed when working on John's songs. But he was more apprehensive to be this open and creative with his own songs for fear of "messing them up."

[@JamesMaharajOfficial]

Woah, Interesting idea. It's possible Paul wanted to let John lead on his songs and not tamper with how he worked.

[@sngscratcher]

@@JamesMaharajOfficial And if the version of Across the Universe the rest of the Beatles rejected is the one with the kids singing background vocals on it, I can see why they didn't like it. It doesn't really have a Beatles vibe to it. Phil Spector did the absolute right thing in stripping that out of the Let it Be album version of the song.

[@jragno008]

The best version was on Anthology 2 without the trappings of version 1 or the Spector version on Let It Be

[@sngscratcher]

@@jragno008 Yeah, that's a great version, too!

[@ThomasTales]

Paul was the one who pushed the experimentation. Paul was a lot more creative. A lot. Have you ever listened to band on the run. He pushed a narrative with those songs. John made a lot of nonsense songs. Not all of them but still. His really good songs were farther between.

[@obladioblada2122]

Across the universe is what got me into the Beatles after I heard it on the radio

[@vivlund]

When you listen to the bass lines that Paul came up with on John’s songs, you can only say that Paul’s contribution, with just the bass alone, was more than almost any other musician could have added. We see Paul was the perfectionist and he also usually knew exactly what he wanted on his songs. He would say he wanted a French horn or a flute, but John would say he wanted to sound like the Dalai Lama on a mountaintop. This is not as easy for the producers and engineers to work with, as Geoff Emerick pointed out. And I don’t think John worked any harder on Paul’s songs than Paul did for John’s. As was stated in a comment before, I think Paul approached the whole song recording process while already hearing what he wanted on his head, but for John, a lot of the musical arrangements came with help from George Martin or Paul. Of course it’s going to seem like not as much effort was placed on John’s songs because Paul kept driving his songs to completion whereas John would get the framework done and then try fill it in in the studio or lose interest.

[@charliebrannigan1275]

I just saw this video now. Thanks- it is wonderful. I was born in 1953 and saw the rise of the Beatles. The Beatles was John Lennon - all the early hits. After the Help album Paul became the prominent one. Ya, Paul took over , but I think John was weary from it all. That said, they were a magic foursome to the end. I love your song “ The Engineers are Here”

[@observerclifford8113]

Song a bit like Seargent Peppers in the beginning- Interesting vidoe- Personally I really like the dreamlike quality in the the production of the song. As for the controversy I suppose we will never know but if it was the case it didn't do much harm to the end product

[@claudiarose4139]

I only found this video today while reading Peter Asher's book on The Beatles. In reading about various songs, I decided to listen to them while reading to better understand what Peter is saying, although I know most of these songs VERY well, having been around for The Beatles since the very beginning. And recently, I've been reading a lot of information about Paul from the beginning and his treatment of people - mostly females. But your question resonates with me because of what I've been reading and what I've been feeling. I think John was right in what he said. I'm sure Paul wanted to be the very best at everything and that included being the best Beatle. Even though John helped him with the writing in the early days, and even though Paul is very talented all by himself, I'm sure he would feel (and maybe subconsciously, I don't know since I don't know the man personally) that if someone else wrote a song that might have seemed better than one of his, sure he might sabotage it - not to completely destroy it but to make it "less than". I wish John could have redone some of his songs while being a solo artist, just to give us what he considered the best version of those songs. He could easily have done that without Paul and with the help of other talented musicians, or, as with "Imagine", all by himself.

[@Stradelia]

Paul was a great musician but I guess sometimes he wasn’t a good leader. Yes, they we’re a band but for people cannot stir the same ship, there has to be a captain; and Paul might have been that indirect captain by nature. He las leading the band but maybe not in the best way. Leaders aren’t supposed to be bossy and that’s something that you learn trough time leading.

[@johnsullivan4413]

I suspect John, Paul, and George were all a bit defensive and protective of their own work. I have sensed defensiveness in interviews I have heard of Paul. It's hard for an artist, especially one his is a public figure, to admit that another artist's work deserves more attention than theirs. But, when artists like the Beatles work together they inspire in each other some magical things they may never have come up with on their own even though they may feel competitive or jealous about the response to their own creations. It's amazing to me how these amazing music creators were able to work together for such a long time. Thank you so much for this video!

[@MD-km2jw]

You have to wonder if it was Yoko putting those thoughts in his head

[@hunkhk]

Your question is of no consequence it doesnt matter, its all past history and we cannot change any iota of that. The song still sends shivers down me and can bring me to tears. Im just thankful to still be here to listen to their amazing body of work

[@billmitchell3329]

Great video brother! I believe John was accurate is his assessment of Paul but not to the degree he felt it was being done. This wonderful person Paul is displaying nowadays is not the way Paul was behaving in 1969. It was obvious from all the Beatles not just John. George was complaining about Paul too as displayed it the movie Let It Be. Paul had become a control freak and was dominating the rest of the band. He meant well but ultimately and unconsciously forced the group to disburse. Of course, this is only my opinion!

[@DavidAUK]

Eh… I’m not sure about that. I’m sure there’s some truth in what John says but he’s the ultimate revisionist. The people in the studio describe Paul as an easy-to-work-with perfectionist and John as someone who is antagonistic and struggles to articulate what he’s trying to achieve. It’s a beautiful song that I don’t think got the best treatment but I’m not sure you could pin that on Paul.

[@bottomfeeder1307]

John said the song wrote itself, and that he didn't own it. For him to say that shows his humility as a songwriter and artist. And yet people still player hating.

[@xcalibur1011]

maybe it was a little of both on his part just mere speculation without true validation so rip john and thanks for great beatle music.

[@_Felina_]

I think both of these versions are right partly. The thing I would like to start with is that 1st time I heard this song I thought "Why does Lennon do this slightly ridiculous voice?" So there was a period when I released how beautiful the masterpiece is. At the moment Im gonna thank you, HollyHobs, to tell what actually was happening then. Well I would say that McCartney indeed had got really relevant priority upon leading the band more and more. I think George and Ringo didn't care about Lennon-McCartney's works and Paul kind of established Fab Four's members positions by using it. Maybe he truly influenced this song but I literally can't believe that Paul did same thing to plenty of another Lennon's songs.

[@brucefrey3705]

I believe John may have been suffering from bipolar depression.

[@peterschleh9382]

dont forget heroin addiction

[@RitikMaurya07]

"Limitless undying love which Shines around me like a million suns It calls me on and on across the universe" Please explain the meaning of this sentence more briefly ❤️

[@dongato90]

God

[@RitikMaurya07]

@@dongato90 please explain me the meaning

[@susanshutler8751]

John,"s consciousness was awake. So was George"s. Paul not so much. Hard for Paul to get past pop songs I guess. George was suppressed for years. His first solo album was full of songs he couldn't get the Beatles to take seriously.

[@nedgrant918]

Phil Specter’s production of “Plastic Ono Band” was brilliant: he made a trio sound like an orchestra, which is surely why Lennon hired him.

[@airheadnumerouno]

Paul McCartney is a SUPERNOVA song writer in his own genius!! I hardly think he would EVER have to sabotage anyone!!

[@tonymccusker501]

Check out the get back movie paul didn't show much interest on across the universe he even said he wasn't mad about it its the best onl l let it be dont let me down was not on the original lp it's the second best song on the naked lp