“A Collection of Half-Assed Songs”: Billy Joel Suggests The Beatles “Didn’t Care Anymore” When Recording the ‘White Album’

While most bands spend decades creating a lasting legacy, the Beatles did it in a single decade. Forming in Liverpool in 1960, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison completely took over the entire music industry. Throughout their time together, the Beatles sold over 600 million albums, won eight Grammy Awards, and landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the first year they were eligible. Although considered one of the greatest bands of all time, Billy Joel recently criticized the White Album, suggesting they “didn’t care anymore.” 

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In November 1968, the Beatles released their only double album with the White Album. The record featured 30 songs that included “Dear Prudence”, “Helter Skelter,” and “Julia.” While the album gained praise from fans and dominated the charts when released, Joel didn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast. 

Speaking with the host, Joel suggested the band was “too stoned” or “didn’t care anymore” when recording the songs. It’s common knowledge that the icons wrote most of the songs during a transcendental meditation retreat in Rishikesh, India, in 1968. 

[RELATED: Billy Joel Shares How He Quickly Composed One of His Most Famous Songs in Just One Hour]

Billy Joel Claimed Paul McCartney Carried “The Weight” Of The ‘White Album’

Having a deep knowledge of what it takes to write a hit song, Joel explained, “I hear it as a collection of half-assed songs they didn’t finish writing because they were too stoned, or they didn’t care anymore.” He continued, “I think they had fragments and they put them on the album.” 

Joel even broke down the Beatles, calling out members like Lennon and McCartney. “I think John [Lennon] was disassociating at that point. I think Paul [McCartney] was carrying the weight.”

Not taking away from what they accomplished throughout the band’s history, Joel was sure to add, “Sometimes they were more prolific and sometimes they weren’t, and I hear that in some of those things.”

Although Joel didn’t care much for the album, Starr loved what they produced. Not because of the success that followed but because of his friends. He told TMZ in 2021, “I’ve loved the White Album all of my life because we were back to being a band.”

With Joel and many others offering their opinion of the legacy of the White Album, none can take away from the phenomenon that was Beatlemania.

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)