# In 1969, John Lennon dismissed a Paul McCartney ballad. It became one of The Beatles’ greatest songs

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1969-john-lennon-dismissed-a-paul-mccartney-ballad-it-became-one-of-the-beatles-greatest-songs/
- Published: 2026-10-22T17:00:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T17:28:33+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1969-john-lennon-dismissed-a-paul-mccartney-ballad-it-became-one-of-the-beatles-greatest-songs/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Lennon thought “Let It Be” sounded more like McCartney’s solo work.
- The Beatles released it as one of their signature songs.
- The track has surpassed one billion streams.

## Summary

John Lennon dismissed Paul McCartney’s “Let It Be” as a song better suited to McCartney’s solo career, reflecting Lennon’s dislike of his bandmate’s sentimental ballads. The song went on to become one of The Beatles’ best-known recordings, a contrast that highlights how Lennon’s judgement differed from its lasting popularity.

The article says Lennon considered the track among McCartney’s last decent songs to appear on a Beatles record, while arguing it had little to do with the band’s identity. It also notes Lennon’s criticism of the album’s initial recordings and Phil Spector’s production, which some listeners dislike for its orchestral sound. “Let It Be” has since passed one billion streams and is described as an enduring message of reassurance.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.