The Hot Take Paul Simon Had About John Lennon's Solo Career

After The Beatles broke up in 1970, all four of them launched their solo careers. George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney all tried out different sounds. However, towards the start, you could still hear elements of The Beatles in their music. However, that was not the case for John Lennon, as he seemingly plagued every part of The Beatles’ influence and sound out of his very being. As a result, he created works that many people, particularly Beatles fanatics, weren’t fans of. Including John Lennon’s contemporary, Paul Simon.

John Lennon and Paul Simon never really saw eye to eye. Concerning his favorite member of The Beatles, Simon divulged that it was Paul McCartney. In addition to declaring his favorite member of the Beatles, another moment that planted a wedge between the two musicians was when they clashed in the studio during one of their collaborations.

Needless to say, Simon and Lennon were not fans of one another. And that frustration was not just a personal one, as Paul Simon was also not a fan of John Lennon’s work following The Beatles’ breakup. Paul Simon Said Lennon Never Did Anything “Interesting or Innovative”

As stated previously, Lennon’s work with The Beatles and after The Beatles sit in stark contrast to one another. Consequently, the perceptions of the music often mimic that stark contrast, and Paul Simon’s opinion of the music resides on the negative end of the spectrum.

Concerning his distaste for Lennon’s solo music, Paul Simon told Rolling Stone in 1972, “It’s not that I’m not interested in what Lennon has to say. I am. He usually has my ear. When he makes a record or makes a record or makes a statement, I’ll read it or listen to it.”

Simon added, “I am a potential audience for him, But I find that he seldom says anything that’s interesting or innovative to me, and yet, I listen, based on a long-standing respect. Based on his musicianship, based on the fact that he was involved in some great music over the years, and so I keep listening to stuff that’s no longer great.”

Harsh words, but given their history and Simon’s affection, seemingly for more traditionally original-sounding music, these comments come as no surprise. However, to a lot of people, these comments also might seem outlandish. After all, some of Lennon’s solo works include the iconic songs, “Imagine”, “Jealous Guy”, and “Instant Karma!” Though to each their own.

Source: americansongwriter.com/Peter Burditt

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