Paul McCartney Admits There Is a 1970s Song He Wishes The Beatles Had Written
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The Beatles’ Lasting Impact
The Beatles are often seen as one of the most influential bands in history. Their creativity changed popular music, setting a new standard for songwriting and experimentation. Even though many artists came before them, the Beatles marked a shift that shaped the direction of modern rock.
Despite the group’s success and the countless classics they left behind, Paul McCartney has admitted there were still songs he wished the Beatles had written. One band in particular managed to impress him so much that he found himself a little jealous of their sound.
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Rock After The Beatles
When the Beatles broke up, the music world felt their absence. No one could truly replace them, but the 1970s introduced new styles that pushed rock into unexplored areas. Progressive rock began to dominate, with bands combining orchestral arrangements and complex song structures.
Among the most innovative groups of that era was the Electric Light Orchestra, better known as ELO. Led by Jeff Lynne, ELO became known for mixing rock with classical influences, creating a sound that stood out in the decade.
McCartney on ELO’s Influence
Jeff Lynne’s experiments with strings and layered production caught McCartney’s attention. While complimenting ELO, he noted how much of their music reminded him of what the Beatles had attempted on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“When I heard ELO, it was very what we been doing on Sgt. Pepper’s, very much what we been into, very sort of mathematical strings,” McCartney once said. “So I think the first thing was: ‘Oh, I know where he got that from.’ But then you can’t resist it. It’s just so good. You go, ‘Oh God, it’s a bloody good song, I wish we’d done that one.’”
A Voice That Stood Out
McCartney’s admiration went beyond ELO’s arrangements. He praised Jeff Lynne’s singing as well, pointing out how rare it is to find such a unique voice in rock music.
“Jeff’s got a great voice,” McCartney added. “Being a singer, it’s not easy to do what he does. It’s an individual voice too, it’s distinctive, it’s nobody else, it’s Jeff Lynne.”
Even Legends Feel Inspired
Hearing McCartney speak so openly about wishing the Beatles had created songs like those of ELO shows that even the most successful artists recognize greatness in others. The Beatles may have inspired ELO, but ELO in turn gave McCartney something to admire. His comments highlight how music often moves forward—each generation shaping the next while still finding ways to surprise even its greatest figures.
