# The two Beatles songs John Lennon wanted to give away

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-two-beatles-songs-john-lennon-wanted-to-give-away/
- Published: 2026-11-15T16:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T17:25:47+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-two-beatles-songs-john-lennon-wanted-to-give-away/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Lennon wanted two McCartney songs given to other performers.
- He thought they did not fit The Beatles’ tastes.
- Both songs were ultimately released by the band.

## Summary

John Lennon thought Paul McCartney’s “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” were too lightweight for The Beatles and suggested McCartney give them to other performers. The disagreement reflects the pair’s differing musical instincts and raises questions about what belonged on a Beatles record.

Lennon made the suggestion because he felt the band did not connect with those songs, mentioning Mary Hopkins as someone who might use them. “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” appeared on the White Album, while “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” was released on Abbey Road; despite Lennon’s reservations, the band’s approach was not a dictatorship, and its members pursued varied musical ideas.

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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.