The Truth Behind Paul McCartney's Songs for Peter and Gordon

Introduction

Paul McCartney, one of the most iconic members of The Beatles, played a significant role in the careers of British band Peter and Gordon. Over the years, many have speculated about which songs McCartney specifically wrote for the duo. This article delves into the truth behind this question, exploring the songs written by McCartney for Peter and Gordon.

Paul McCartney and Peter and Gordon

Paul McCartney's relationship with Peter and Gordon began in the mid-1960s. At that time, McCartney was dating Peter Asher's sister, Jane Asher. This personal connection led to the creation of several songs that were given to the duo, Peter and Gordon.

Writing Songs for Peter and Gordon

McCartney composed four songs for Peter and Gordon, all of which were initially credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership. However, a fifth song, "Woman," was initially credited to the pseudonym Bernard Webb, but later revealed to be McCartney's work under another name.

World Without Love

A World Without Love was one of the most successful songs given to Peter and Gordon. It topped the U.S. charts in 1964, helping the duo gain recognition. Initially, McCartney wanted the Beatles to record the song, but the band's lead singer, John Lennon, refused due to his unfamiliarity with the song's content.

Nobody I Know

Nobody I Know was another successful track for the duo, peaking at No. 12 in the U.S. charts and reaching No. 10 in the UK. This song, along with "A World Without Love" and "I Don't Want To See You Again," was written during McCartney's relationship with Peter Asher's sister, Jane Asher.

Woman

Woman was a unique case where McCartney used the pseudonym Bernard Webb to try and gauge the song's potential as a solo artist. The ruse was quickly exposed when people realized the song was from the same publisher as the McCartney-Lennon songs. Despite this, "Woman" still managed to chart at No. 14 in the U.S. in 1966.

True Story Behind the Songs

While "World Without Love" is the duo's most famous hit, Paul McCartney did not specifically write it for Peter and Gordon. He attempted to have the band record it, but John Lennon's refusal prevented its inclusion in the Beatles' repertoire. Later, McCartney wrote two songs specifically for Peter and Gordon:

Nobody I Know Woman

These songs provided the duo with significant success, particularly "Woman" which reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 14 in the U.S. when it debuted on a popular show, Hullabaloo.

Conclusion: The True Story of McCartney's Contributions to Peter and Gordon

In conclusion, the songs specifically written by Paul McCartney for Peter and Gordon include Nobody I Know and Woman. While "World Without Love" was also given to the duo, it was not originally written for them. This detailed look into Peter and Gordon's relationship with Paul McCartney showcases not only the success of their songs but also the personal connections behind them.

Key Takeaways:

MCCARTNEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH PETER ASHER'S SISTER, JANE ASHER, INCURRED HIM WRITING FOUR SONGS FOR THE DUO PETER AND GORDON'S SONG, WORLD WITHOUT LOVE, WAS NOT WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM, BUT STILL SALES WERE STATED WITH SATISFACTION NEXT TWO SONGS WRITTEN BY MCCARTNEY FOR THE DUO: NOBODY I KNOW AND WOMAN