Paul McCartney Rejected This John Lennon Song for The Beatles, and I Can’t Say I Blame Him

In autumn 1969, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison declined John Lennon’s proposal to release “Cold Turkey” as the Beatles’ next single. Lennon recorded it with the Plastic Ono Band instead, marking the first time one of his songs was released solely under his own name. The article argues that the refusal helped preserve the group’s catalogue from another likely radio controversy and gave Lennon a clearer break from the band.

The Beatles had released *Abbey Road* on 26 September, with “Something” backed by “Come Together” due out as a single on 6 October. Lennon recorded “Cold Turkey” on 30 September, and the Plastic Ono Band released it on 20 October. Lennon later said American radio stations banned the song; the article also notes that the Beatles’ “Ballad of John and Yoko” had faced bans earlier that year.