As much as the Get Back docuseries confirmed that Yoko Ono didn't call many of the shots during the Beatles' Let It Be sessions, it doesn't mean the band — barring John Lennon, of course — were all that thrilled about her constant presence.
Sure, this is something most music fans have figured for the last five decades, but Paul McCartney recently confirmed his annoyance on iHeartPodcasts' McCartney: A Life in Lyrics.
"We were heading towards the breakup of the Beatles, and it was a period of change because John and Yoko got together," McCartney explained. "And that was bound to have an effect on the dynamics of the group." As we all know the story goes, Ono and Lennon became "inseparable," and the artist would sit in on every recording session.
"So things like Yoko being in the middle, literally in the middle of the recording session, was something you had to deal with," McCartney continued. "And the idea was if John wanted this to happen, then it should happen. There's no reason why not."
Podcast co-host Paul Muldoon added, "Well, except that there is a reason why not. You're there to do some work," with McCartney replying, "Anything that disturbs us is disturbing."
Apparently, the group kept quiet about it "out of deference to John": "I don't think any of us particularly liked it," McCartney said, adding that it was the best way to keep working. According to him, the Beatles had few other people besides George Martin in their workspace before this.
Get Back showed the other Beatles' partners coming in and out of the studio, though Ono remained in the room for most of the sessions. She seems to keep quiet for most of it though, reading the newspaper, knitting and generally just sitting there. Though we all know what it's like when a friend always asks to bring their partner to every single outing, so who are we to judge McCartney's grievances?
Listen to the whole Let It Be episode of the A Life In Lyrics podcast below. McCartney's comments on Ono begin around the 4:30 mark.
Sure, this is something most music fans have figured for the last five decades, but Paul McCartney recently confirmed his annoyance on iHeartPodcasts' McCartney: A Life in Lyrics.
"We were heading towards the breakup of the Beatles, and it was a period of change because John and Yoko got together," McCartney explained. "And that was bound to have an effect on the dynamics of the group." As we all know the story goes, Ono and Lennon became "inseparable," and the artist would sit in on every recording session.
"So things like Yoko being in the middle, literally in the middle of the recording session, was something you had to deal with," McCartney continued. "And the idea was if John wanted this to happen, then it should happen. There's no reason why not."
Podcast co-host Paul Muldoon added, "Well, except that there is a reason why not. You're there to do some work," with McCartney replying, "Anything that disturbs us is disturbing."
Apparently, the group kept quiet about it "out of deference to John": "I don't think any of us particularly liked it," McCartney said, adding that it was the best way to keep working. According to him, the Beatles had few other people besides George Martin in their workspace before this.
Get Back showed the other Beatles' partners coming in and out of the studio, though Ono remained in the room for most of the sessions. She seems to keep quiet for most of it though, reading the newspaper, knitting and generally just sitting there. Though we all know what it's like when a friend always asks to bring their partner to every single outing, so who are we to judge McCartney's grievances?
Listen to the whole Let It Be episode of the A Life In Lyrics podcast below. McCartney's comments on Ono begin around the 4:30 mark.
