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Stories

Paul McCartney Says This Beatles Song Gave John Lennon The Inspiration For “Imagine”

by Lauren Novak

Published October 29, 2022

Paul McCartney Says This Beatles Song Gave John Lennon The Inspiration For Imagine

Paul McCartney claims that one of The Beatles’ songs became the inspiration for John Lennon’s popular tune “Imagine.” Paul discussed the comparison between the two songs in his book called The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present.

He shared that The Beatles’ song “I’ll Get You” has the line “Imagine I’m in love with you.” He says that the line gave John the inspiration for his song and went with the word imagine. Paul explained, “The word and idea of ‘imagine’ is something John would repurpose in his own song ‘Imagine.'”

Related:

  1. Paul McCartney Says The Beatles’ Final Song With Late John Lennon Is ‘Quite Emotional’
  2. Inside The Rivalry Between Beatles’ Paul McCartney And John Lennon

“Imagine” was inspired by “I’ll Get You”

The Beatles: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr pose on a cricket field, during the production of A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, 1964
The Beatles: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr pose on a cricket field, during the production of A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, 1964 / Everett Collection

He continued, “It’s also a bit like the opening of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ with its exhortation to ‘Picture yourself.’ So it’s a filmic thing, as well as a literary thing.” John was also inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll who wrote classics such as Alice in Wonderland.

RELATED: The Beatles: Origin Of The Popular Pop Band’s Name

John Lennon, circa 1966
John Lennon, circa 1966 / Everett Collection

While “I’ll Get You” was never a huge hit for The Beatles, of course, “Imagine” is still one of John’s most iconic songs. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album itself hit the top of the Billboard 200 for a week.

IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON, John Lennon, 1988, photo from recording of 'Imagine' album, 1971
IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON, John Lennon, 1988, photo from recording of ‘Imagine’ album, 1971 / Everett Collection

It remains one of his most successful albums. Unfortunately, John was assassinated in 1980 so the world never got to hear all that he could write and sing. Listen to “I’ll Get You” and “Imagine” below and reminisce:

RELATED: Julian Lennon’s Emotional Response To The New Beatles Documentary

Next up: How George Clooney Got Kelly Ripa To Appear On Live TV Without Makeup
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