Paul McCartney on John Lennon feud before Beatles breakup felt 'like sticking little daggers in me'

Paul McCartney has reflected on the emotional impact of his strained relationship with John Lennon during the final years of The Beatles, recalling how Lennon’s public criticism left him deeply hurt.

Speaking in a new interview with NME, McCartney was asked whether he feels a responsibility to represent Lennon and George Harrison “in the right way” when referencing them in his music. In response, he opened up about the tensions that developed within the band before their split in 1970.

“Towards the end of The Beatles, John was slagging me off a lot,” McCartney said, adding that the comments felt “like sticking little daggers in me.” He admitted that at the time he found it difficult to process the criticism or decide how to respond.

The disagreements largely stemmed from the Beatles’ business affairs following the death of manager Brian Epstein, with McCartney favouring entertainment lawyer Lee Eastman while Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr backed businessman Allen Klein. The dispute became a major factor in the group’s eventual breakup.

McCartney said he later came to understand Lennon’s behaviour differently, recognising it as part of his personality rather than something personal. “I suddenly realised, ‘Wait a minute, this is John. This is the guy I’ve known since I was 16. That’s just what he does,’” he said, noting that the realisation helped soften the emotional impact.

Despite the difficult period, McCartney reflected positively on their later reconciliation, saying it was important that they were able to make amends before Lennon’s death in 1980. He also recalled that Lennon eventually acknowledged McCartney may have been right about Klein, which helped bring closure to the dispute.

McCartney added that although the period was painful, he now looks back on his relationship with Lennon with a sense of perspective, shaped by both conflict and enduring friendship.