Paul McCartney Remembers Thinking ‘F— Off, John’ After John Lennon’s Post-Beatles Diss Track ‘How Do You Sleep?’

**Paul McCartney Reflects on His Complicated Relationship with John Lennon in New Documentary**

In a reflective new documentary, *Paul McCartney: Man on the Run*, the iconic musician shares insights into his significant and sometimes tumultuous relationship with the late John Lennon. The film, directed by Morgan Neville, centres on McCartney’s journey during the post-Beatles era, particularly the 1970s, as he navigated both personal struggles and creative triumphs.

One notable aspect of the documentary is McCartney’s candid examination of the fallout from Lennon’s bitter diss track, “How Do You Sleep?” This 1971 song featured deeply piercing lyrics that targeted McCartney amid their ongoing legal battle. McCartney, now aged 83, recounts his feelings upon hearing the song, revealing the hurt it caused during a time fraught with tension.

At the heart of their conflict was a legal dispute that McCartney initiated against his former bandmates. Displeased with the management of Alan Klein, who had been appointed to oversee the Beatles’ finances, McCartney felt compelled to act. “I thought I had to fight it. My brother-in-law, he and his dad were a huge help,” he explained in the documentary. McCartney had hesitations about suing his friends, fearing it would damage not only their relationships but also public perception of him. Nevertheless, he decided to proceed with the lawsuit to liberate himself from Klein’s influence.

However, in a twist of fate, Lennon’s response to this legal discord took the form of “How Do You Sleep?” which included accusatory lines that struck a chord with McCartney. For instance, the lyric, “The only thing you done was ‘Yesterday'”, seemed targeted at McCartney’s prolific songwriting, particularly referencing the Beatles classic. McCartney’s reaction was a mixture of indignation and amusement. “If all I ever did was ‘Yesterday,’ ‘Let It Be,’ ‘Long and Winding Road,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ ‘Lady Madonna’… F— you, John. How do I sleep at night? Well, actually quite well,” he reflects.

Despite the animosity expressed in Lennon’s lyrics, McCartney also takes a moment to convey his enduring affection for his old friend. “You’ve got to remember, I’d known John since he was a teenager,” McCartney reminisces. “He’s a lovely, lovely crazy guy.” This admission showcases the complexity of their bond, one that mixed deep friendship with profound artistic rivalry.

The documentary not only sheds light on McCartney’s thoughts regarding Lennon and their legal disputes but also how their music continually responded to each other. For instance, “How Do You Sleep?” was a direct rebuttal to McCartney’s own track, “Too Many People,” from his 1971 album *Ram*. In the latter, McCartney’s lyrics seemed to suggest frustration over Lennon’s departure from the Beatles, encapsulating the tension between the two ex-bandmates.

In an interview shortly before his tragic death in 1980, Lennon commented on the motives behind “How Do You Sleep?” He clarified that while his lyrics were indeed charged, they stemmed more from personal resentment than a desire for villainy. This tension encapsulated the bittersweet nature of their artistic dialogue over the years.

*Man on the Run*, which premiered in select theatres on February 19 and 22, captures this multifaceted relationship as it blends McCartney’s professional endeavours with glimpses into his family life, particularly his relationship with wife Linda McCartney. The documentary highlights not just the struggles but also the resilience that seemed to define McCartney’s life during and after the Beatles.

As McCartney continues to celebrate his legacy, this documentary gives fans a unique glimpse into the man behind the music, particularly his evolving perception of one of rock history’s most famous partnerships. Following its limited theatre release, the film is set to be available for streaming on Prime Video from February 27, providing a platform for a broader audience to engage with McCartney’s poignant reflections on friendship, rivalry, and the music that defined a generation.