Paul McCartney is an award-winning songwriter, creating music for The Beatles and expanding his work with the London Symphony Orchestra. However, in 1968, the artist revealed that he “dreaded classical music and the particular composers behind the genre.”
Paul McCartney wrote ‘pop’ music for the Beatles
Paul McCartney is one half of Lennon and McCartney’s songwriting duo. He is credited on “Come Together,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “A Day In the Life,” “Let It Be,” and other Beatles hits.
The band was known for their rock sound, but McCartney explained the difference between The Beatles’ “pop music” and classical composers.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney Says Classical Music Is ‘Scary’
He is a pianist, guitarist, bassist and vocalist. He has added roles as a songwriter and solo artist. Still, the musician said he was “intimidated” by classical music and composers of that genre.
“I was always afraid of classical music,” McCartney said in a 1968 BBC documentary (via The Beatles interview). “Beethoven and Tchaikovsky and such big words … and Schoenberg, I didn’t want to hear it.”
The songwriter said a taxi driver once had a sheet music of Mozart’s composition. After McCartney asked about it, Driver explained that it was a “luxury item” and that other people probably wouldn’t like it.
“In that way, I always thought of it,” he added. “I used to think, ‘That’s very clever.’ It’s not. That’s exactly what’s happening in pop right now. Pop music is classical music now.”
The artist has released borderline classical music outside of his Beatles career. There is Working Classical made by The Loma Mar Quartet. The song “Junk” featured the London Symphony Orchestra, with Linda McCartney joining in on the other songs. He also won the Pauline Award for Best of His Classical Music for His Album.
Paul McCartney called The Beatles just ‘happy little songwriters’ ‘just playing in a rock group’
Other chart-topping artists often shared their appreciation and admiration for certain classical composers. [classical musician] who makes the most sense [him,]” According to a quote from his website.
As a groundbreaking musician of the time, McCartney said the Beatles saw themselves as “happy little songwriters” “playing in a rock group”.
“We are the last people to know about our songs,” he added in the same interview.
Outside of working with The Beatles, McCartney wrote and released music. This includes Holiday’s fan-favorite “Wonderful Christmastime.” Rock his band’s music is now available on most major streaming his platforms.