John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie review – let it be the new gold standard in Beatles studies
The author’s brilliant account of Lennon and McCartney’s songwriting relationship challenges myths, finds new meanings in their music, and even throws up a few surprises
It is a strange and beguiling experience to find music you have had in your head since childhood reveal new and unsuspected shades of meaning 50 years later. Beatles songs aren’t like most pop songs; instead of fading, they take on a richer colour and nuance, not least because new generations of fans inquire more deeply into what previous listeners might have overlooked or simply misunderstood. One twist of the kaleidoscope and a song we thought we knew suddenly sounds even better than it did the first 100 times we heard it.
This is the effect of reading Ian Leslie’s brilliant study of the Beatles’ music, a book that offers not only a lesson in listening (again) but an enthralling narrative of friendship, creative genius and loss. At its centre is the songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the unprecedented peaks the two of them scaled in remaking English popular music. You may find it impossible not to be awed by their achievement all over again. But Leslie also wants to challenge a myth about the pair. After the Beatles finally disbanded, a consensus formed that Paul was the straight man to John’s rebel bohemian – vanilla against brimstone – which hardened into holy writ on Lennon’s murder in 1980. McCartney’s inadequate off-the-cuff response to the news (“it’s a drag”) took some living down. Leslie lays to rest this old opposition, arguing that there was “no John without Paul, and vice versa”. Their collaboration was as tight and co-dependent as two climbers roped together on a mountain face.
Continue reading...-
John Lennon celebrated on new Imagine coin
The coin, marking what would have been John Lennon's 85th birthday, recognises his legacy.BBC News - Mar. 14 -
‘The Polynesians loved him’: the astonishing revelations that cast Paul Gauguin in a new light
He has been tarred as a French colonialist who spread syphilis to underage girls in the South Seas. But, writes the author of an acclaimed new book, fresh discoveries challenge this view of the ...The Guardian - Mar. 17 -
The Doobie Brothers in 2025: A tour, a new album and a date with Songwriters Hall of Fame
Just cue up the first song from the new album by The Doobie Brothers and you’ll hear something unusual: harmony, in a new wayABC News - 5d -
The Doobie Brothers in 2025: A tour, a new album and a date with Songwriters Hall of Fame
Just cue up the first song from the new album by The Doobie Brothers and you’ll hear something unusual: harmony, in a new wayABC News - 5d -
Study finds ingredient in slushies made kids sick
Doctors in Europe are now saying kids under eight shouldn't drink slushies after a study found one of the ingredients sickened children. One of the authors of the study, Dr. Ellen Crushell, joined ...CBS News - Mar. 14 -
Reunited in LA! When Paul Pogba surprised Olivier Giroud 😎
There is no news yet on where Paul Pogba might end up playing following the conclusion of his ban. But the former Manchester United and Juventus man didn't seem overly concerned when he surprised ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
MLB's villains or its gold standard? How the Dodgers got here
Love them or loathe them, the defending champs built a new evil empire with a series of monumental moves.ESPN - 6d -
Dolly Parton Memorializes Her Husband, Carl Dean, in a New Song
“Like all great love stories, they never end,” Parton wrote on Instagram before releasing the ballad “If You Hadn’t Been There.”The New York Times - Mar. 7 -
Guitarist Mike Campbell had a challenging relationship with Tom Petty, but 'love and respect' never wavered
In his new memoir, Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell recalls the highs and lows of working with Tom Petty.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 14
More from The Guardian
-
White House inadvertently texted top-secret Yemen war plans to journalist
In extraordinary blunder top Trump cabinet members added Atlantic editor to chat discussing strikes on Houthis. Outrage after White House accidentally texts journalist war plans: ‘Huge ...The Guardian - 8h -
Oscar-winning Palestinian director attacked by Israeli settlers and arrested
No Other Land’s Hamdan Ballal attacked by armed settlers in West Bank and handed to Israeli military, witnesses say. A Palestinian director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land has been ...The Guardian - 6h -
National security council investigating after Trump officials accidentally text journalist top-secret Yemen war plans – as it happened
This blog has now closed. You can read more of our US politics coverage here . Outrage after White House accidentally texts journalist war plans: ‘Huge screw-up’ White House inadvertently ...The Guardian - 1h -
Mark Carney laments Canada’s lost friendship with US in visit to 9/11 town
Canadian PM makes remarks on visit to Newfoundland town that sheltered US airline passengers after attacks. Mark Carney has lamented Canada’s lost friendship with the United States as he visited ...The Guardian - 9h -
Journalists among more than 1,100 arrested in Turkey crackdown
Authorities ask X to block accounts as tens of thousands take to streets in largest anti-government protests in years. Turkish authorities have arrested more than 1,100 people including ...The Guardian - 10h
More in World
-
Ukraine war briefing: Strike into Belgorod ‘destroys four Russian helicopters’
Russian missile attack injures 88 in Sumy, officials report; Saudi Arabia ceasefire talks to continue with nothing yet agreed. What we know on day 1,126. Ukraine’s special forces said on Monday ...The Guardian - 21m -
Australia's science agency sent questions from Trump administration asking if it is taking ‘appropriate measures’ against gender ideology
Other questions include whether science organisation receives funding from China and whether it is a climate or ‘environmental justice’ project. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest ...The Guardian - 1h -
Old video from India falsely shared as 'locals fighting robbers in Bangladesh'
Yahoo News - 1h -
National security council investigating after Trump officials accidentally text journalist top-secret Yemen war plans – as it happened
This blog has now closed. You can read more of our US politics coverage here . Outrage after White House accidentally texts journalist war plans: ‘Huge screw-up’ White House inadvertently ...The Guardian - 1h -
China releases Mintz employees from detention after 2 years
US due diligence firm was target of Xi Jinping’s crackdown on foreign consultanciesFinancial Times - 1h
