Paul McCartney Says He Was “Depressed” After Beatles Break Up in ‘Man on the Run’ Doc: “I Got Into Drinking Too Much”…
The new documentary “Man on the Run” dives deep into Paul McCartney’s life after the Beatles broke up, showing a surprising side of the rock legend—his vulnerability and self-doubt. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (*20 Feet From Stardom*, *Won’t You Be My Neighbor?*), the film is executive produced by McCartney himself and Caitrin Rogers. It takes viewers through McCartney’s journey in the early 1970s, when he launched his solo career and formed his new band, Wings.
At the height of his success with the Beatles, it’s hard to imagine that McCartney doubted his musical ability. But the documentary reveals that, right after the Beatles split in 1969, McCartney felt completely lost. In his own words, he thought, “I’ll never write another note of music, ever.”
After announcing to the press that the Beatles had broken up, McCartney, his wife Linda, and their children moved to a remote sheep farm on the west coast of Scotland, hoping to escape the spotlight. But it was there that McCartney struggled with depression and turned to alcohol. He openly admits, “I thought, ‘I’ll have a wee drum of scotch. Why not? I might have another one. I’ve got nowhere to go.’” This lasted for a couple of months, and he admits that he drank too much during this dark time. However, he was lucky to have Linda’s support during this difficult period.
Despite the isolation, a persistent reporter found McCartney on the farm, leading to a confrontation between the two. McCartney recalls throwing a bucket at the reporter but later offered a deal: he’d pose for a photo with his family in exchange for a picture of the bucket-throwing moment. This portrait of McCartney and his family appeared on the cover of *Life* magazine, putting an end to the infamous “Paul is dead” rumors.
Though he was facing personal challenges, McCartney didn’t stay down for long. Soon after, he started making music again. His first solo album, *McCartney*, was released in 1970, followed by *Ram* in 1971, which was his first album with his new band, Wings. Although these albums weren’t immediately embraced by critics, they eventually became iconic, with McCartney’s post-Beatles work now considered some of the greatest rock music ever made.
At the end of the documentary, McCartney reflects on his doubts about whether he could follow in the Beatles’ footsteps. He admits, “I doubted whether it was possible to follow the Beatles. But looking back on it now, I think we made what seemed like an impossible dream come true.” This realization is a testament to McCartney’s resilience and the magic of his music, which has stood the test of time.
*Man on the Run* offers a rare and insightful look at McCartney’s journey through self-doubt and personal struggles, showing how he overcame them to create some of the most influential music of all time.