John Lennon’s name is one of the most talked about when talking about The Beatles songs and a popularly known rule with the band was that if you wrote the song, then you usually sang the lead vocal. However, one track would prove too much of a leap for Lennon to sing himself. You might think this was because of Ringo Starr’s vocals, however, the truth is a little further down the road from that, as mentioned in Far Out Magazine. 

John Lennon’s reputation as a rock star was gaining speed by 1968, and he was intent on preserving his image as a rock icon, the image of Lennon as the rough and ready rocker was beginning to form in the public’s mind. It was an image Lennon was keen to cultivate.

Talking about The White Album, the band’s leader said how he wanted the new record to “get on with rocking because rockers are what we really are”. Additionally, he said, “You can give me a guitar, stand me up in front of a few people. Even in the studio, if I’m getting into it, I’m just doing my old bit… not quite doing Elvis Legs but doing my equivalent. It’s just natural.”

“Everybody says we must do this and that, but our thing is just rocking. You know, the usual gig. That’s what this new record is about. Definitely rocking.”

“I think John felt it might not be good for his image for him to sing it, but it was fabulous to hear him do it; he sang it great,” said Macca remembering one of the early sessions of the track back in 1994. “We heard him sing it in order to teach it to Ringo, and he sang it very tenderly. John rarely showed his tender side, but my key memories of John are when he was tender; that’s what has remained with me— those moments where he showed himself to be a very generous, loving person.

“I always cite that song as an example of the John beneath the surface that we only saw occasionally… I don’t think John’s version was ever recorded.”

So, if you were ever intrigued to get to know the real John Lennon, then, according to Paul McCartney, The Beatles’ ‘Good Night’ is the track for you.