Sir Paul McCartney has shared that following the tragic murder of his former Beatles bandmate, John Lennon, in 1980, he found it too difficult to discuss the loss.
The 80-year-old music icon explained that Lennon’s death left him at a loss for words.
Lennon was fatally shot outside his New York City apartment, and Sir Paul recalls how challenging it was to cope with the news.
Returning home from the studio that day, he turned on the TV and saw people reminiscing about their experiences with Lennon and what he meant to them.
Sir Paul confessed that he could not bring himself to do the same, as the pain was too deep and indescribable.
He explained: “When John died, it was so difficult. It hit me so hard that I couldn’t really talk about it.”
Watching others on TV sharing their memories of Lennon, Sir Paul felt he could not be one of them. He simply could not express what Lennon meant to him.
The depth of his loss made it impossible for him to put his feelings into words.
However, Sir Paul found a way to express his grief through his 1982 song “Here Today.”
He shared how he sat on the floor with his guitar and composed the opening chords for the track.
He also mentioned that the line “the night we cried” referred to a heartfelt, drunken conversation between him and Lennon, during which they revealed their love and appreciation for one another.
John Lennon’s murderer, Mark David Chapman, is currently serving a 20-years-to-life sentence at Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York’s Hudson Valley.
He has been denied parole twelve times, with the parole board stating that his actions left the world in recovery from the void he created.
Chapman’s next parole hearing is scheduled for February 2024.
Meanwhile, Sir Paul is promoting the documentary “If These Walls Could Sing,” directed by his daughter, Mary McCartney.
The film is a tribute to Abbey Road studios, where The Beatles recorded all of their albums. Available on Disney+, the documentary tells the untold story of the iconic studio, which remains at the heart of the music industry.
The synopsis reads: “In this personal film of memory and discovery, Mary McCartney guides us through nine decades to see and experience the creative magic that makes it the most famous and longest-running studio in the world.”
The documentary features appearances by Sir Elton John, Noel Gallagher, and other music legends, along with rare archival footage and session tapes.
