What if The Beatles’ biggest anthem… was written for a five-year-old boy?

“Hey Jude” started as “Hey Jules” — written by Paul McCartney in 1968 to comfort Julian Lennon during his parents’ divorce. John loved it instantly, saying: “It was about me and Yoko!”

Paul composed most of it while driving to visit Julian and Cynthia Lennon. He pulled over to jot down the melody on a cigarette pack!

Did you know the name “Eleanor” came from Eleanor Bron, an actress from Help!, and “Rigby”? A store called Rigby & Evens in Bristol. Paul also said that the name felt natural and fit the character he had in mind.

“Eleanor Rigby” was a radical shift. No guitars. No drums. Just a string octet arranged by George Martin, inspired by classical composer Bernard Herrmann — think Psycho.

Paul famously woke up with the melody of “Yesterday” fully formed in his head.
He played it on piano right away — but with placeholder lyrics:
“Scrambled eggs… oh my baby how I love your legs.”

Think “Lady Madonna” was just another Beatles hit?
There’s a lot more hidden in those piano notes…

Did you know “Lady Madonna” was Paul McCartney’s tribute to working-class women — especially single mothers?

“Hundreds of songs were penned in the Lennon‑McCartney golden era… but not all made it onto Beatles records. Yet many became major hits—recorded by others. Today, we dig into those almost-Beatles tracks and the surprising stories behind them.”

Brian Epstein encouraged Lennon‑McCartney to write songs for his other acts (Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer, the Fourmost) to build their careers.

Many songs were deemed unsuitable stylistically or thematically for Beatles LPs, despite being high quality.

Here are some rejected lennon-mccartney songs that could have been in a Beatles Albums but were given to another artists which also became major hits.

“Bad to Me”

In July 1963, John Lennon gave “Bad to Me” to Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas—a rising act also managed by Brian Epstein. Though written by Lennon (with some input from McCartney), The Beatles never released it themselves. Instead, George Martin produced Kramer’s version, crafting a polished, Beatlesque arrangement that helped it soar to No. 1 on the UK charts. While The Beatles did record a demo, it remained unreleased until decades later, when it surfaced on Live at the BBC, offering fans a glimpse of what could’ve been another Fab Four classic.

“A World Without Love”

Written by a teenage Paul McCartney while living in the Asher household, “A World Without Love” was one of the earliest songs he finished—complete with its now-famous opening line: “Please lock me away…” But Paul felt it wasn’t right for The Beatles. Fortunately, his girlfriend Jane Asher’s brother, Peter Asher, had just formed a duo with Gordon Waller. McCartney offered the song to them, and under George Martin’s guidance, Peter and Gordon’s version became a massive hit—reaching No. 1 on both the UK and US charts in 1964. It was the first Lennon-McCartney composition to top the charts for another artist

One of few Lennon‑McCartney songs to hit #1 without Beatles performing.

“From a Window” & “I’ll Keep You Satisfied”

In 1963, Lennon and McCartney gifted Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas two more songs: “From a Window” and its B-side “I’ll Keep You Satisfied.” Both tunes carried that unmistakable early-Beatles charm—simple hooks, youthful lyrics, and George Martin’s polished production. “From a Window” became a Top 10 hit in the UK, while “I’ll Keep You Satisfied,” released earlier, reached No. 4. Though the Beatles never officially released versions themselves, these songs showed how even their “hand-me-downs” could become pop hits, especially when delivered with the Beatles’ signature style and studio touch.

“Hello Little Girl” – The Fourmost

“Hello Little Girl” was one of John Lennon’s earliest compositions, dating back to his teenage years. The Beatles performed it at their infamous Decca audition in 1962, but it remained unreleased by the band. Instead, their Liverpool contemporaries The Fourmost—managed by Brian Epstein—released it in 1963. Produced by George Martin, the single captured Lennon’s catchy, Everly Brothers–inspired pop style and climbed into the UK Top 10, giving The Fourmost their biggest hit and showcasing Lennon’s songwriting reach beyond the Beatles’ own catalog.

“Love of the Loved” – Cilla Black (1963)

“Love of the Loved” was one of Paul McCartney’s early compositions, originally performed by the Beatles during their Cavern Club days and even recorded at their Decca audition. Though the Beatles never officially released it, the song found new life through Cilla Black—another Liverpool artist discovered by Brian Epstein. Produced by George Martin, Cilla’s version became her debut single in 1963 and reached No. 35 on the UK charts. It marked the beginning of her successful career, and the track remains one of the few Lennon–McCartney songs first given to a female artist.

These cases show: even Beatles’ rejects held rock‑and‑roll gold.

It highlights Lennon‑McCartney’s songwriting prowess and the band’s internal selection pressures.
Many of these tracks gained identity and success in interpreters’ hands.

“Which of these Lennon-McCartney songs is your favorite? Which do you think would’ve sounded best performed by The Beatles themselves?”

Did you know Paul McCartney wrote “She’s a Woman” in just a few hours—and while mimicking Little Richard?

Released as the B-side to “I Feel Fine” in 1964, “She’s a Woman” was The Beatles’ first real attempt at fusing rock and reggae. Paul said he intentionally overdid the vocal, pushing his range to channel Little Richard’s energy.

The Beatles’ Most Exotic B-Side – “The Inner Light” The Beatles once recorded a song… without three of the Beatles!

🎙️ [Fact 1]
“The Inner Light” was written and sung by George Harrison, but John, Paul, and Ringo didn’t play a single note on its backing track.

📚 The Beatles Recording Sessions – Mark Lewisohn (1988)

🎙️ [Fact 2]
George recorded the instrumental in Mumbai (then Bombay) during sessions for the Wonderwall soundtrack — using Indian classical musicians from the Bombay Philharmonic Orchestra.

📚 The Beatles Anthology (2000)
📚 Wonderwall Music liner notes (Apple Records, 1968)

🎙️ [Fact 3]
The lyrics were adapted from the Tao Te Ching, not Indian scripture — a Chinese philosophical text translated by Juan Mascaró, who mailed it to George.

📚 I Me Mine – George Harrison (2002)
📚 Revolution in the Head – Ian MacDonald (1994)

🎙️ [Fact 4]
It was the first Beatles song released with George as sole lead singer — and it was the B-side to “Lady Madonna” in March 1968.

📚 The Beatles Bible / Lewisohn – Chronicle

🎙️ [Beatle Trivia]
John Lennon said he loved it — calling it “a great piece of Indian music.”

📚 The Beatles Anthology

🎙️ [Call to Action]
Ever notice “The Inner Light” is missing from most Beatles albums?
Drop a 🌕 if George’s spiritual side moves you.

Did you know Paul may have invited a total stranger to a Beatles session?

🎙️ [Fact 1]
When the Beatles began recording “Fixing a Hole” on Feb 9, 1967, they didn’t use Abbey Road.
Instead, they went to Regent Sound Studio on Denmark Street — the only Sgt. Pepper track recorded outside EMI.

📚 Mark Lewisohn – The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions

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