The Ballad of John and Yoko

song by Lennon and McCartney

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July 17, 2026

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"The Ballad of John and Yoko" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, released in 1969. It chronicles Lennon's experiences during his legal and personal struggles with his first wife, Cynthia, and his subsequent marriage to Yoko Ono. The song details their travels to Vienna for Lennon's divorce proceedings and their honeymoon in Amsterdam. Despite their personal difficulties, Lennon brought the song to McCartney, and they collaborated on its arrangement, showcasing their enduring creative partnership. The song is known for its direct lyrical style and its reflection of the challenges the couple faced during that period.1

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Paul McCartney
The Beatles
…brought McCartney his song “The Ballad of John and Yoko” and they worked together on the “middle eight” (the stand-alone section that often comes midway in a song). Their music transcended personal differences.
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…brought McCartney his song “The Ballad of John and Yoko” and they worked together on the “middle eight” (the stand-alone section that often comes midway in a song). Their music transcended personal differences.
Read More