John Lennon and Paul McCartney: Their Collaborative Efforts Outside The Beatles

The question of whether John Lennon and Paul McCartney ever wrote any songs together outside of the Beatles is often a point of interest for fans and music historians. While the vast majority of their work is associated with The Beatles, there are instances where they collaborated on material that was either recorded by other artists or remained as demos. This article will explore these instances and shed some light on their collaborative efforts.

Early Collaborations

One can argue that the earliest songs they contributed to together were before the band was officially called The Beatles. A standout example is the composition “A Hard Day's Night.” According to various sources, the melody was initially composed by John, but the lyrics were worked on collaboratively, showing an early sign of their teamwork even before the band's full formation.

Recording but Not Official

There are instances where songs were recorded, but not officially released by The Beatles, leaving room to consider these as collaborative efforts. For instance, the song “Bad to Me” saw John and Paul contributing together. Released as a single by Anita Lane in 1963, the melody was written by both, with Paul taking the lead on the lyrics.

The Beatles Anthology

The Beatles Anthology project in the mid-1990s provided another memorable opportunity for collaborative songwriting. During these sessions, John provided two demos for Paul. One of these demos became the groundwork for the song "Free As A Bird," which was later completed with contributions from George Harrison and Ringo Starr. This song marked a rare public collaboration between the two, even if it wasn't part of The Beatles' official discography.

Jam Sessions and Side Projects

When John was in Los Angeles during his "Lost Weekend," he jammed with various musicians, including Paul. Though not officially recorded, these sessions demonstrated their ability to work together on music. The recording titled "A Toot and a Snore in '74" showcases this, featuring both musicians playing together.

Other Collaborations

Paul McCartney's PR machine has often been credited with shaping public perception, sometimes overshadowing John's individual contributions. Despite this, several examples of songs with collaborative elements have been noted. For instance, "A Day in the Life" was widely thought to be primarily John's composition until Rolling Stone magazine reported that Paul contributed a significant part of the bridge. Similarly, "Strawberry Fields Forever" was initially a solo project by John but received extensive input from Paul and George Harrison.

A Look at the Melodies

The work of John Lennon often relied on the contributions of his bandmates. Some of his most memorable songs were enhanced through collaboration. For instance, "Help!" started as a subdued and dull composition but was transformed into a hit with Paul McCartney's input. Other notable songs like "Rain" and "Come Together" were crafted by John, but the harmonies were added by Paul.

John's Solo Contributions

Despite the collaborative nature of much of their work, John Lennon also composed several notable songs on his solo projects. These include “Working Class Hero,” “Instant Karma!” and “Watching the Wheels.” While these were individual compositions, Paul's involvement can also be seen in some of his later material.

Conclusion

While much of the material attributed to John and Paul is linked to The Beatles, there were indeed several instances where they collaborated on songs that remained outside the band's official discography. Their musical partnership extended beyond the famous Beatles songs and showcased their individual talents and collaborative spirit.