Billy Joel reveals the one Paul McCartney song he wishes he’d written: “He can’t do anything wrong”
Billy Joel said he would have liked to write any of Paul McCartney’s songs, praising his gift for melody, but singled out “Yesterday” as the one that affected him most. His account shows how McCartney’s songwriting shaped Joel’s view of The Beatles and their emotional range.
Joel recalled that McCartney had once praised his 1977 ballad “Just the Way You Are” and that they exchanged emails about the compliment. He said “Yesterday”, released on the 1965 album *Help!*, stood apart from earlier upbeat Beatles hits because it dealt with heartache, sadness and disappointment.
In short
- Billy Joel praised Paul McCartney’s songwriting.
- He singled out “Yesterday” as especially affecting.
- The song’s change in tone shaped his view of The Beatles.
Explained simply
Billy Joel and Paul McCartney are songwriters and singers whose careers became prominent in the 1960s and 1970s. McCartney was a member of The Beatles, whose songs ranged from energetic pop to quieter, more personal ballads.
“Yesterday” is a Beatles song written mainly by McCartney and released in 1965. Its reflective lyrics and spare arrangement made it a notable example of the group exploring themes such as loss and regret, broadening the public image of their music beyond upbeat hits.
Art Culture Entertainment Music