Recalling John Lennon’s Biggest Fear Still Gets Paul McCartney “Choked Up”

You never truly know what is going on in someone’s head. Someone can be the most confident person in the world by outward appearances and secretly be deeply insecure. According to Paul McCartney, John Lennon was a little like that. Learn more about Lennon’s biggest fear, below.

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John Lennon’s Biggest Fear, According to Paul McCartney

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere man, please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere man
The world is at your command

Lennon was a relatively relaxed musician. Though, later in life, he had staunch opinions about the world around him, his personality had a perpetual light-heartedness to it. Behind closed doors, however, Lennon was insecure about his legacy. He once spoke to McCartney about this worry.

“I remember John was a bit insecure,” McCartney once said. “And I remember him once particularly, strangely out-of-the-blue saying, ‘I’m worried about how people are going to remember me.’”

“‘John, listen to me, look at me,’” he added. “‘You’re going to be remembered as one of the greatest people.’ I’m getting choked up. I said… ‘Cause you are, you’re fantastic.’”

Lennon’s biggest fear did not come true. In the wake of his death, the outpouring of grief proved how revered he is. Decades later, he is still remembered as one of the premiere voices in rock and an activist.

His legacy is secured through his music. Lennon penned many of the Beatles’ most powerful tracks alongside McCartney. Their combined efforts make up one of the most cherished songwriting catalogs in history. Revisit one of Lennon’s contributions to the Beatles, “Nowhere Man,” below.

He’s as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all

Nowhere man, don’t worry
Take your time, don’t hurry
Leave it all
‘Til somebody else lends you a hand
Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere man, please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere man
The world is at your command

(Photo by Northcliffe Collection/ANL/Shutterstock)