Paul McCartney is known for writing some of the most beautiful melodies in music history. Songs like “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Michelle” have touched millions of people around the world. Even though McCartney never had formal music training, he had a natural gift for creating unforgettable tunes. But there is one artist he still wishes he could write like — Bob Dylan.
Discovering New Musical Ideas
When McCartney first began writing songs with John Lennon, he pulled inspiration from every style he could find. They loved early rock artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry, but McCartney wasn’t afraid to explore other genres too. He experimented with jazzy chords, old-fashioned melodies, and unusual rhythms. This willingness to try new things helped The Beatles stand out.
How Bob Dylan Changed Everything
Around the time The Beatles were becoming famous in the early 1960s, Bob Dylan was changing music in America. He started as a folk singer but quickly became known for his powerful lyrics about society, war, and human struggles. Songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” made people think differently about what music could say.
At first, McCartney didn’t fully understand Dylan’s style. Dylan’s songs sometimes had simple chord progressions, and his storytelling could feel loose and unpredictable. But soon McCartney realized that Dylan’s words didn’t need to follow perfect patterns — they were powerful because of the emotion and imagery inside them.
Why McCartney Envied Dylan
McCartney later admitted that he was jealous of Dylan’s ability to play with words. He said Dylan could put together phrases like “magic swirling ship” or “jealous monk,” turning simple words into something magical. McCartney felt that this style didn’t come naturally to him, and he admired how effortlessly Dylan seemed to do it.
He even said, “I could never write like that, and I envy him.”
Influencing The Beatles
Bob Dylan didn’t just impress McCartney — the entire band was fascinated by him. When The Beatles first met Dylan, they were amazed. The meeting even inspired them to rethink how they wrote songs. After discovering Dylan’s lyrical depth, The Beatles began focusing more on meaningful lyrics rather than just catchy melodies.
John Lennon, especially, was deeply influenced. McCartney said Lennon sometimes acted as if Dylan wrote the kind of songs he wished he could write himself.
A Friendly Musical Exchange
The influence didn’t go only one way. While The Beatles were inspired by Dylan’s lyrics, Dylan also watched what The Beatles were doing musically. Their electric sound encouraged him to pick up an electric guitar for the first time, changing the direction of his own career.
This friendly comparison between the two artists — Dylan with his poetic storytelling, and McCartney with his perfect melodies — helped shape some of the greatest music of the 1960s.