Lennon-McCartney songwriting: Why did John Lennon's name go first in songwriting credit?

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Lennon-McCartney were regarded as the backbone of The Beatles, with their songs changing the music scene. The pair have influenced a huge number of performers with their music and their creativity in the recording studio. While Sir Ringo Starr and George Harrison also contributed, it was John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney who really made the magic happen - but even Sir Paul was left confused by how they were named.

There does not seem to be a reason why John Lennon’s name went first, except perhaps that the names were alphabetical.

Sir Paul described how the decision making took place, which he has said happened without him being there.

He even suggested the names would be swapped depending on who wrote the song.

He told The Telegraph in 2015: “We had a meeting with Brian Epstein [manager of the Beatles]. I arrived late.

“John and Brian had been talking. ‘We were thinking we ought to call the songs, Lennon and McCartney.’

Source: Jenny Desborough/express.co.uk