‘Disgusting lyrics’: a surprising confession about a Beatles classic
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John Lennon, a name synonymous with musical genius, wasn’t always pleased with everything he wrote.
Despite his vast catalogue of hits, there was one Beatles song that left him with deep regrets.
His thoughts on the track? Surprisingly harsh, considering the song's place in music history.
John Lennon’s songwriting legacy is undeniable, with a career that reshaped modern music.
Together with Paul McCartney, Lennon crafted numerous songs that became timeless classics, though not all of them held up in his eyes.
One such track was 'It's Only Love' a song from The Beatles' 1965 album Help!.
Lennon was so 'embarrassed' by it that he once admitted he wished he'd never written it.
The song’s simple lyrics and catchy chorus belied its creator’s distaste.
'It's only love, and that is all, but it's so hard loving you,' the lyrics say.
Lennon later described it as having 'disgusting lyrics,' confessing he was 'so ashamed of them' that he could 'barely sing them.'
The song, originally called 'That's A Nice Hat,' was co-written by Lennon and McCartney, but Lennon himself couldn't shake his loathing for it.
In an interview, Lennon said: 'That's the one song I really hate of mine. Terrible lyrics.'
He even went as far as calling it 'the most embarrassing song I ever wrote.'
Despite Lennon’s harsh self-criticism, McCartney was more lenient. In retrospect, he considered 'It's Only Love' to be one of those 'filler songs' that didn’t need to be overthought.
McCartney remarked: 'Sometimes we didn't fight it if the lyric came out rather bland on some of those filler songs like "It's Only Love".'
‘If a lyric was really bad we'd edit it, but we weren't that fussy about it, because it's only a rock 'n' roll song. I mean, this is not literature.'
At the height of Beatlemania, with Help! being their fifth album in two years, the band wasn't overly concerned with every lyric’s profundity.
Their goal was fun, danceable rock ‘n’ roll, and 'It's Only Love' certainly fit that bill. However, Lennon, young and early in his career, saw it as a misstep.
Nevertheless, fans on social media didn’t share Lennon’s opinion. Many praised the track, calling it 'one of the best songs' he ever wrote.
One fan remarked: 'For 99% of bands, this would be their ultimate masterpiece, for The Beatles, it’s an underrated gem.'
Another said: 'John's voice is just so raw and emotional with this track. One of the best songs John ever wrote.'
Lennon was quick to point out his dissatisfaction with the song, but it did not go unnoticed by listeners.
Even some Beatles fans continued to express admiration, declaring it 'underrated' despite Lennon’s reluctance.
Interestingly, 'It's Only Love' was recorded in just six takes in June 1965.
Lennon used double-tracked vocals on the final take, and five guitars were used to complete the two-minute track, including a 12-string Rickenbacker played by George Harrison.
Though Lennon would go on to make bold statements about his music, 'It's Only Love' remains a curious blend of the band's youthful energy and Lennon's honest reflection on his craft.
How do you feel about the lyrics – do they resonate with you, or do you see them differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Despite his vast catalogue of hits, there was one Beatles song that left him with deep regrets.
His thoughts on the track? Surprisingly harsh, considering the song's place in music history.
John Lennon’s songwriting legacy is undeniable, with a career that reshaped modern music.
Together with Paul McCartney, Lennon crafted numerous songs that became timeless classics, though not all of them held up in his eyes.
The Beatles' timeless classics weren’t always Lennon’s favourites. Image source: Pexel/Isabella Mendes
One such track was 'It's Only Love' a song from The Beatles' 1965 album Help!.
Lennon was so 'embarrassed' by it that he once admitted he wished he'd never written it.
The song’s simple lyrics and catchy chorus belied its creator’s distaste.
'It's only love, and that is all, but it's so hard loving you,' the lyrics say.
Lennon later described it as having 'disgusting lyrics,' confessing he was 'so ashamed of them' that he could 'barely sing them.'
The song, originally called 'That's A Nice Hat,' was co-written by Lennon and McCartney, but Lennon himself couldn't shake his loathing for it.
In an interview, Lennon said: 'That's the one song I really hate of mine. Terrible lyrics.'
He even went as far as calling it 'the most embarrassing song I ever wrote.'
Despite Lennon’s harsh self-criticism, McCartney was more lenient. In retrospect, he considered 'It's Only Love' to be one of those 'filler songs' that didn’t need to be overthought.
McCartney remarked: 'Sometimes we didn't fight it if the lyric came out rather bland on some of those filler songs like "It's Only Love".'
‘If a lyric was really bad we'd edit it, but we weren't that fussy about it, because it's only a rock 'n' roll song. I mean, this is not literature.'
At the height of Beatlemania, with Help! being their fifth album in two years, the band wasn't overly concerned with every lyric’s profundity.
Their goal was fun, danceable rock ‘n’ roll, and 'It's Only Love' certainly fit that bill. However, Lennon, young and early in his career, saw it as a misstep.
Nevertheless, fans on social media didn’t share Lennon’s opinion. Many praised the track, calling it 'one of the best songs' he ever wrote.
One fan remarked: 'For 99% of bands, this would be their ultimate masterpiece, for The Beatles, it’s an underrated gem.'
Another said: 'John's voice is just so raw and emotional with this track. One of the best songs John ever wrote.'
Lennon was quick to point out his dissatisfaction with the song, but it did not go unnoticed by listeners.
Even some Beatles fans continued to express admiration, declaring it 'underrated' despite Lennon’s reluctance.
Interestingly, 'It's Only Love' was recorded in just six takes in June 1965.
Lennon used double-tracked vocals on the final take, and five guitars were used to complete the two-minute track, including a 12-string Rickenbacker played by George Harrison.
Though Lennon would go on to make bold statements about his music, 'It's Only Love' remains a curious blend of the band's youthful energy and Lennon's honest reflection on his craft.
How do you feel about the lyrics – do they resonate with you, or do you see them differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
