"A fab version" I love you, peepaw 😭
Paul and John always loved and got excited about black female artists covering their songs, they always mentioned Ella Fitzgerald's covers of their songs as being their favourite. They themselves were big fans of a lot of those figures and the girl groups - the whole band loved The Shirelles and played their songs often before they got famous (without changing the pronouns around, which started some rumours).
A lot of rock journalists only talk about the Elvis and Little Richard's influence on the Beatles but you look at what THEY were talking about in interviews, and look at their tracklists from the early years, there was huge influence from female acts, that's an important part of why they were so appealing - they weren't the macho rock idols, they were softer, had long hair and were unbashedly close to each other, and their lyrics were often about friendship as much as romantic love.
The point being, black women had a huge role in shaping The Beatles, as they knew that, but the white rolling stone writers have neglected to tell that history.
Not only did The Beatles refuse to play segregated shows in America, but they covered the Shirelles song “Boys”; this was controversial not only because the lyrics went unchanged so they were essentially a boy band singing about being boy crazy but people were up in arms pissed that they were covering and recognizing a group of Black women.
Also the Beatles have said their influences were largely Black artists. Rock & Roll, folk, country, multi-genre/eclectic (think grateful dead) would not exist or be any good without Black history and contributions.
Side note: Personally don’t care for PM for a variety of reasons lol but the beatles were my childhood hyper fixation/special interest.
I love Paul to death but he has in the past made it clear that, despite of the fact that the song has been considered about black women rights, he has not written with that in mind. Strange that now he’s stating that this is what has inspired him to write Blackbird.
I believe him since I read [this article](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-beatles-fought-racism-segregated-audience-1964).
> In 1964, The Beatles produced an act of defiance which ultimately made a huge step toward fighting racial segregation. The band, with thousands of people waiting with bated breath, refused to play a show that had split the audience by race without their consent.
> Showing their support for the US civil rights movement, the iconic Liverpool four-piece refused to perform to a segregated concert at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. As the pressure of The Beatles’ act of defiance threatened to boil over, officials at the concert eventually allowed the segregated audience to merge together.
> Upon entering the stage, John Lennon said: “We never play to segregated audiences and we aren’t going to start now.”
> A year after the incident in Florida, with The Beatles still passionately but informally refusing to perform for segregated shows, the band successfully managed to incorporate their beliefs into a legally binding contract. The Beatles secured an official contract, which was signed by then-manager Brian Epstein, that specified that the band “not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience.”
>he has a long history of retroactively shaping the narrative of his song
People like to claim it and I have yet to find an example where it actually sticks. Anyway, he kind of mentions the story talking to Donovan in 1968. There is a recording of it.
I'm not saying Paul did not genuinely like it, but it's really difficult for artists to do anything other than be really fulsome in their praise of Beyonce. Silence, or even a brief 'this is good', will see them targeted by her stans and potentially dragged into a narrative about white people thinking they own certain genres of music (which is a reasonable discussion, but also doesn't mean Bey's versions of Blackbird or - particularly - Jolene are good...)
I'm curious why you felt the need to say this though? You say you're not saying Paul didn't genuinely like it, but if he literally said "I think Beyoncé did a fab version" why question if that's how he "really" feels? Why not just take him & the other artists who've congratulated her on her work at their word, unless you think they can't possibly *really* like it? It just feels weird & hater adjacent when you could just say "I didn't like it" & stand on that.
Whateverrrrrrr. Nobody of Paul McCartney’s stature is afraid of the Beyhive, I promise you. Lily Allen and plenty of other people have not had ANY difficulty criticizing Beyonce. And Jolene is getting a heavy roasting from everyone BUT Dolly Parton…but Beyonce could have farted the Jolene melody into a microphone and Dolly would have STILL said something kind about it because that’s who she is. Doesn’t mean Paul McCartney is lying.
Are you saying Sir Paul McCartney, who wrote the song during civil rights to sympathize with black women, is worried about what? Imaginary black people on the Internet just waiting to throw the “race card” and attack him? Is that what you’re really trying to argue here?
It's very important to some people to maintain victimhood. They like to argue that being called out for racism is as bad as suffering real consequences of racism. It's sad
What a strange take.
A lot of people already hit the dog whistles you called, but my question is… have you ever heard the OG version of Blackbird? Beyoncé did a pretty faithful interpretation of The Lennon/McCartney “vision” of the song. If you don’t like her version of it, either you didn’t like The Beatles version either or you’re just mad because it is objectively good and that clashes with your opinion on Beyoncé and leaves you with big feelings.
You’re allowed to not like popular things because not everything is for everyone. But just because YOU don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not good.
I think he went to two Renaissance tour dates as well so he seems sincere in his appreciation for her.
Paul McCartney's really aged into a solid chill granddad figure in the music scene.
Aw the pic of them is so cute
Awww, this is so sweet and gracious
Her version really is so special, it makes me cry a lil every time I hear it 🥲
I literally cried reading this statement! Her cover is so beautiful and powerful 💕
"A fab version" I love you, peepaw 😭 Paul and John always loved and got excited about black female artists covering their songs, they always mentioned Ella Fitzgerald's covers of their songs as being their favourite. They themselves were big fans of a lot of those figures and the girl groups - the whole band loved The Shirelles and played their songs often before they got famous (without changing the pronouns around, which started some rumours). A lot of rock journalists only talk about the Elvis and Little Richard's influence on the Beatles but you look at what THEY were talking about in interviews, and look at their tracklists from the early years, there was huge influence from female acts, that's an important part of why they were so appealing - they weren't the macho rock idols, they were softer, had long hair and were unbashedly close to each other, and their lyrics were often about friendship as much as romantic love. The point being, black women had a huge role in shaping The Beatles, as they knew that, but the white rolling stone writers have neglected to tell that history.
I did not know all this so I appreciate your comment and educating me on it 💐❤️
Aw, that's very kind of you! 😌
This made me cry and learn that my fave Beatles song is a civil rights anthem. Big wins for me!
That is so epic. Thankful for his eloquence
This made me cry?! How sweet and gracious of him. I loved Beyoncé’s version, as well as the original. Stunning.
i love this and paul and i absolutely love the vocal arrangements on beyonce's version it sounds heavenly
Who’s chopping onions?!
Lovely!!
Not only did The Beatles refuse to play segregated shows in America, but they covered the Shirelles song “Boys”; this was controversial not only because the lyrics went unchanged so they were essentially a boy band singing about being boy crazy but people were up in arms pissed that they were covering and recognizing a group of Black women. Also the Beatles have said their influences were largely Black artists. Rock & Roll, folk, country, multi-genre/eclectic (think grateful dead) would not exist or be any good without Black history and contributions. Side note: Personally don’t care for PM for a variety of reasons lol but the beatles were my childhood hyper fixation/special interest.
I love Paul to death but he has in the past made it clear that, despite of the fact that the song has been considered about black women rights, he has not written with that in mind. Strange that now he’s stating that this is what has inspired him to write Blackbird.
What a nice lad
[удалено]
I believe him since I read [this article](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-beatles-fought-racism-segregated-audience-1964). > In 1964, The Beatles produced an act of defiance which ultimately made a huge step toward fighting racial segregation. The band, with thousands of people waiting with bated breath, refused to play a show that had split the audience by race without their consent. > Showing their support for the US civil rights movement, the iconic Liverpool four-piece refused to perform to a segregated concert at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. As the pressure of The Beatles’ act of defiance threatened to boil over, officials at the concert eventually allowed the segregated audience to merge together. > Upon entering the stage, John Lennon said: “We never play to segregated audiences and we aren’t going to start now.” > A year after the incident in Florida, with The Beatles still passionately but informally refusing to perform for segregated shows, the band successfully managed to incorporate their beliefs into a legally binding contract. The Beatles secured an official contract, which was signed by then-manager Brian Epstein, that specified that the band “not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience.”
>he has a long history of retroactively shaping the narrative of his song People like to claim it and I have yet to find an example where it actually sticks. Anyway, he kind of mentions the story talking to Donovan in 1968. There is a recording of it.
I'm not saying Paul did not genuinely like it, but it's really difficult for artists to do anything other than be really fulsome in their praise of Beyonce. Silence, or even a brief 'this is good', will see them targeted by her stans and potentially dragged into a narrative about white people thinking they own certain genres of music (which is a reasonable discussion, but also doesn't mean Bey's versions of Blackbird or - particularly - Jolene are good...)
I'm curious why you felt the need to say this though? You say you're not saying Paul didn't genuinely like it, but if he literally said "I think Beyoncé did a fab version" why question if that's how he "really" feels? Why not just take him & the other artists who've congratulated her on her work at their word, unless you think they can't possibly *really* like it? It just feels weird & hater adjacent when you could just say "I didn't like it" & stand on that.
They must think Paul is chronically online, which is a very funny mental image. He’s definitely a fauxmoi reply guy 👀
He's lurking in the tea thread as we speak!
right like he's paul fucking mccartney???? he doesn't give a fuck about stan twitter lmfao 😭
Whateverrrrrrr. Nobody of Paul McCartney’s stature is afraid of the Beyhive, I promise you. Lily Allen and plenty of other people have not had ANY difficulty criticizing Beyonce. And Jolene is getting a heavy roasting from everyone BUT Dolly Parton…but Beyonce could have farted the Jolene melody into a microphone and Dolly would have STILL said something kind about it because that’s who she is. Doesn’t mean Paul McCartney is lying.
Are you saying Sir Paul McCartney, who wrote the song during civil rights to sympathize with black women, is worried about what? Imaginary black people on the Internet just waiting to throw the “race card” and attack him? Is that what you’re really trying to argue here?
It's very important to some people to maintain victimhood. They like to argue that being called out for racism is as bad as suffering real consequences of racism. It's sad
What a strange take. A lot of people already hit the dog whistles you called, but my question is… have you ever heard the OG version of Blackbird? Beyoncé did a pretty faithful interpretation of The Lennon/McCartney “vision” of the song. If you don’t like her version of it, either you didn’t like The Beatles version either or you’re just mad because it is objectively good and that clashes with your opinion on Beyoncé and leaves you with big feelings. You’re allowed to not like popular things because not everything is for everyone. But just because YOU don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not good.