Did John Lennon Ever Write a Song for the Beatles That Was Not Sung by Paul McCartney?

The iconic collaboration between John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles produced some of the most memorable and beloved songs in music history. However, it's not entirely uncommon for John Lennon to wrote several songs for The Beatles that were not sung by his longtime collaborator, Paul McCartney. Let's explore this fascinating aspect of The Beatles' musical legacy.

The Role of Collaboration in the Beatles' Songwriting

It is well known that Lennon and McCartney often wrote songs separately, collaborating to perfect and finalize the tracks. When they wrote music together, it was usually in joint effort, but there were instances where one of them would take the lead. For example, songs like 'Julia,' 'Across the Universe,' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' were primarily the work of John Lennon.

Exceptions to the Co-Writing Rule

While most Beatles songs were a collaborative effort between Lennon and McCartney, there were indeed situations where John Lennon wrote a song without Paul singing it. This rarity is captured in some of Lennon's earlier contributions to the band's repertoire, such as 'Good Night,' which he wrote specially for Ringo Starr to sing.

A Closer Look at John Lennon's Non-Paul McCartney Songs

Let's delve into a few specific examples where John Lennon contributed to The Beatles' discography without Paul leading the vocals:

'Do You Want to Know a Secret'

This memorable song, primarily written by John Lennon, was sung by George Harrison. It's a testament to Lennon's prolific songwriting and the band's mutual respect for each other's talents.

'I’m Happy Just to Dance with You'

Again, a Lennon composition, this time mainly written by him, but sung by George Harrison. This track further illustrates the band's collaborative spirit.

'What Goes On'

This song, while primarily written by John Lennon, was sung by Ringo Starr. It's interesting to note that among many of Lennon's contributions, very few managed to get away from Paul's and John's vocal duet.

'Good Night'

John Lennon’s preference for leaving singing credits to other band members is exemplified by 'Good Night,' which he wrote and only Ringo Starr sang.

'Day Tripper'

This complex collaboration between John and Paul showcases how their songwriting often involved both of them, with 'Day Tripper' being written primarily by John but sung by both Lennon and McCartney. The song is recognized for its intricate structure and dynamic vocal performance.

Paul’s Initiatives

It's worth noting that even Paul McCartney occasionally wrote songs with the intent of them having a specific singer. For instance, the song 'Come and Get It' was originally written by Paul for The Headlines, a different band before the group evolved into Badfinger. The song's evolution into a Beatles track mirrors their evolving recording habits as a band.

Conclusion

The Beatles' legacy is rich with remarkable collaborations that defined an era and forever changed the landscape of rock music. While John Lennon and Paul McCartney primarily shared the spotlight in songwriting and vocals, there were instances where John wrote songs that he chose not to sing himself. These rare occasions are as intriguing as they are testament to the band's dynamic nature and the unique contributions of each member.