In a surprising turn of events, Paul McCartney recently revealed his discontent when John Lennon made an unfavorable comparison between him and another popular singer.

However, it is important to note that this comparison was made during John’s era of provocative trash-talking.

During the 1970s, John Lennon became notorious for his biting remarks, which garnered as much attention as his music.

In his 1971 book, “Lennon Remembers,” John openly criticized not only his fellow Beatles but also icons like Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Orson Welles, Frank Zappa, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and many others.

In a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul McCartney addressed John’s comments, confessing that he did not appreciate everything John said, but chose to remain silent.

Recalling the incident, Paul shared, “He came out with all stuff like I’m like Engelbert Humperdinck.

I know he doesn’t really think that.”

When asked about his thoughts on John’s comparison, Paul admitted, “Oh, I hated it.”

He further revealed that he meticulously analyzed every paragraph and sentence, questioning whether John truly held such low opinions of him.

At that time, Paul internalized these criticisms, feeling inadequate and dejected.

He thought, “It’s me.

I am.

That’s just what I’m like.

He’s captured me so well; I’m a turd, you know.

I’m just nothing.”

Fortunately, Paul managed to overcome these negative thoughts, thanks to the support of those who admired him, including Linda, his late wife.

They reassured him that John’s comments were baseless and driven by personal grudges.

This realization helped Paul regain his self-confidence.

Looking back, he acknowledged, “Great, that’s not true.

I’m not really like Engelbert; I don’t just write ballads.”

Nevertheless, he admitted that John’s words had deeply hurt him at the time.

While Paul McCartney is often associated with tender ballads like “Yesterday,” “My Love,” and “The Long and Winding Road,” his musical range extends far beyond that genre.

By the time of the interview in 1974, the charming Beatle had already showcased his versatility through rock ‘n’ roll tracks like “Jet,” experimental compositions like “Wild Honey Pie,” and vaudeville-inspired numbers such as “Your Mother Should Know.”

In contrast, Engelbert Humperdinck remained predominantly known for his ballads and easy-listening tracks.

Another aspect that distinguished Paul from Humperdinck was their respective chart performances.

Humperdinck only achieved two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100: “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” reached No.

4, while “After the Lovin'” peaked at No.

8.

With all due respect, Humperdinck’s success as a pop star was relatively modest.

In contrast, Paul McCartney was a veritable hit-making machine.

He amassed an impressive number of top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with his solo career, totaling 23.

Nine of these songs even reached the coveted No.

1 spot: “Say Say Say,” “Coming Up,” “Ebony and Ivory,” “Silly Love Songs,” “With a Little Luck,” “Band on the Run,” “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey,” “Listen to What the Man Said,” and “My Love.”

When combined with his achievements as a member of The Beatles and collaborations with artists like Mary Hopkin and Peter and Gordon, it becomes evident that Paul McCartney stands as one of the most successful musicians in recorded music history.

In conclusion, while John Lennon compared Paul McCartney to Engelbert Humperdinck, this comparison ultimately falls short.

Paul’s diverse musical repertoire and unparalleled chart success set him apart from Humperdinck, making the comparison unjust and inaccurate.