Macca's Granny Music
Heart and Loving Entwined
“More of Paul’s granny music shit” - John Lennon
Anyone who has been in a band can tell you that debates about musical style and substance are the lifeblood of the creative process. Reflecting on my own experience with my longest running collaborator, my friend Jordan, I can say that our musical differences were sometimes so minor as to appear invisible, occasionally acrimonious and contentious, and always a powerful force for artistic growth.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were best friends and musical partners. Together, they became arguably the most important writers and performers of the rock era. They worked together as closely as anyone could. But they were not always on the same page, and their competitive rivalry is legendary.
Being best friends, and developing deep trust over many years, they pushed each other, partly, by taking the piss. Lennon, in particular, could be acerbic and ruthless (he was also capable of incredible gentleness and empathy). Heck, a man as earnest as Paul McCartney could likely get on anyone’s nerves (oh, I see you wrote three more classics today, Paul, how lovely), and the instinct to take him down a few pegs must have been irresistible for someone like Lennon (or Harrison, for that matter).
And so we have Lennon’s classic disparagement of McCartney’s talents - the accusation of “granny music”.
Now setting aside the fact that grandmothers are remarkable people with much to teach us all (please hug your Grammie), McCartney’s crime appears to be his affection for the music of his father’s generation - 1930’s and 1940’s, show tunes, vaudeville, and so many songs that are now rightfully considered classics.
Lennon was, to hear him speak about it, a rock purist. Granny music was, in his mind, certifiably uncool. In reality, Lennon’s music drew from a wide variety off styles and influences. But when you’re in a band with your best friend, the musical lines are often rigidly drawn.
Let’s list some of McCartney’s crimes against coolness:
When I’m Sixty Four
Your Mother Should Know
Honey Pie
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
You Gave Me The Answer
Baby’s Request
English Tea
Suicide
Let’s Love
All Of You
Come to think of it, this would make a pretty awesome compilation. He could release it as “McCartney Is A Geezer”, or “To All The Grannies I’ve Loved Before”, or “I Go Back So Far I’m n Front Of Me”, or “Let Me Roll Out The Barrels To You”.
OK, you got me. I am a certifiable McCartney apologist.
I expect that when this Substack comes out I’ll be fielding job offers from MPL.
In the meantime, let’s celebrate the diversity of music out there, and for that matter, let’s celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in general. You know why. ;-)