When The Beatles broke up in 1970, it wasn’t just the end of a band—it was the start of a very public falling out between two of its most famous members: Paul McCartney and John Lennon. What had once been a strong songwriting partnership turned into a bitter rivalry. Instead of airing their grievances in interviews alone, both artists used their music to speak their minds.

In doing so, McCartney and Lennon may have created something new for popular music: the diss track. While not as aggressive as later examples in hip-hop or rock, their songs were sharp, personal, and pointed. These early post-Beatles solo tracks weren’t just about love or peace—they were about pride, resentment, and unresolved tension.

Background: The Beatles Breakup

By the late 1960s, cracks had started to show within The Beatles. Creative differences, personal struggles, and growing business disputes made it clear the group was no longer the tight unit it once was.

In 1968, the band formed Apple Corps, but its management quickly became a point of conflict. Paul McCartney wanted to bring in his soon-to-be father-in-law, Lee Eastman, while the rest of the band sided with Allen Klein. This disagreement created a lasting divide.

At the same time, musical directions were drifting apart. Lennon was exploring more experimental sounds and working closely with Yoko Ono, which changed his focus. McCartney, on the other hand, was pushing to keep the band grounded in structured songwriting and pop sensibility.

By September 1969, Lennon privately told the band he wanted out. In April 1970, McCartney publicly announced his departure, marking the official end. The split wasn’t clean. Accusations, legal battles, and bitter words followed. The tension between Lennon and McCartney didn’t just stay behind closed doors—it spilled into their solo music.

Paul’s Retort: “Too Many People”

Released in May 1971 as the opening track on Paul McCartney’s Ram, “Too Many People” came wrapped in sunny melodies and sharp undertones. On the surface, it sounded like another laid-back McCartney tune. But listen closely, and the barbs aimed at John Lennon become hard to miss.

The most pointed line—“Too many people preaching practices”—was widely read as a jab at Lennon and Yoko Ono’s public activism. McCartney later confirmed that some lyrics were indeed directed at John, especially phrases like “You took your lucky break and broke it in two”, which seemed to criticize how Lennon handled his fame and the band’s legacy.

Critics at the time were divided. Some dismissed the song as petty, while others praised its clever wordplay and layered production. Fans quickly caught on to the subtext, sparking debates over how much of Ram was really about Lennon. The track marked a clear shift: McCartney, often seen as the more diplomatic Beatle, was ready to take the gloves off—at least in song.

John Fires Back: “How Do You Sleep?”

John Lennon didn’t hold back. Released in September 1971 on his Imagine album, “How Do You Sleep?” was a direct and scathing response to McCartney’s digs on Ram. Unlike the veiled shots in “Too Many People,” Lennon went straight for the throat.

The lyrics leave little to interpretation. “The only thing you done was yesterday / And since you’ve gone you’re just another day” mocked both McCartney’s legacy with The Beatles and his solo single “Another Day.” Lennon also attacked Paul’s musical style, calling his songs “muzak to my ears.” It was personal, bitter, and unapologetic.

The track was made even more biting by its production. George Harrison played the slide guitar, adding a sharp, bluesy edge to the song. Klaus Voormann handled bass duties, and Phil Spector co-produced. The presence of another former Beatle gave the diss more weight—it wasn’t just Lennon versus McCartney, it was Lennon backed by key allies.

“How Do You Sleep?” shocked fans and critics alike. Some praised its honesty; others called it unnecessarily cruel. Either way, it cemented itself as one of the most vicious musical takedowns ever released by a major artist.

Media and Fan Reaction

The media wasted no time framing the Lennon–McCartney feud as a battle of egos. Headlines pitted the two former bandmates against each other, dissecting every lyric and public comment. Music magazines and tabloids speculated over hidden meanings, turning songs like “Too Many People” and “How Do You Sleep?” into cultural flashpoints.

Fans were divided. Some sided with McCartney, seeing his subtle jabs as justified responses to Lennon’s more aggressive posture. Others backed Lennon, applauding his directness and raw emotion. The feud created a kind of tribalism among Beatles followers, splitting loyalties that had once been unified under a single band.

The fallout shaped both artists’ solo careers. McCartney was seen as the more traditionalist, focused on melody and form. Lennon, meanwhile, was viewed as the provocateur, using his music to confront and challenge. The rivalry added tension but also visibility—both men stayed in the spotlight, their solo records selling well in part because fans were eager to hear the next chapter of the saga.

Birth of the Diss Track?

While diss tracks are now closely tied to hip-hop, the Lennon–McCartney exchanges in 1971 laid early groundwork for the form. “Too Many People” and “How Do You Sleep?” weren’t just personal—they were public, pointed, and set to music, making them among the first high-profile musical feuds played out through songs.

These tracks established key diss track traits: lyrical shade, musical framing, and the use of the song as a platform for real-life conflict. They showed that pop music, like rap years later, could be used to settle scores and assert dominance—not just entertain.

Their influence can be seen in countless artist rivalries since. Whether it’s Nas vs. Jay-Z, Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry, or Drake vs. Pusha T, the idea of airing grievances in a track has become an accepted—and expected—part of music culture. Lennon and McCartney didn’t invent the feud, but they helped write its modern soundtrack.

Closing Thoughts

The Lennon–McCartney feud was more than just a personal fallout—it was a creative clash that spilled into their solo work. Through “Too Many People” and “How Do You Sleep?”, the former bandmates turned their tensions into music, crafting pointed songs that served as both emotional release and public statement.

These tracks stand as early examples of the diss track, blending melody with message in a way that set a new precedent. While rooted in hurt and rivalry, they also pushed the boundaries of what popular music could express. In doing so, Lennon and McCartney unintentionally laid the groundwork for a tradition that would evolve across genres and generations. Their fallout gave us more than tabloid drama—it gave music a new way to speak its mind.