Were the Beatles Overrated? George Harrison Answers, 1975

Q: Do you ever think, because of the magnitude of the Beatles, Beatles songs were ever overrated at all?

George Harrison: I think, probably, eighty per cent of them were overrated but then, the twenty per cent that weren't, were exceptions. I think the Beatles were fantastic, John and Paul were fantastic. You see, the funny position I was in was that, in many ways, this whole focus of attention was on the Beatles. So, in that respect, I was part of it but from being in them, an attitude came over, which was John and Paul, of, 'Okay, we're the grooves, and you two, just watch it.' They never said that, or did anything, but it was over a period of time . . . In a way, I felt like an observer of the Beatles, even though I was with them. Whereas, I think, John and Paul were the stars of the Beatles . . . I've been meeting Paul again, you know, Paul McCartney. We drifted off away from each other, suing, suing, sue you blues stuff. I've just met Paul and I just know that whatever we've been through, there's always been something there to tie us together. We've had a big dog collar and we've come through the other end and we've really picked up to be friends again. I know with John Lennon, John Lennon's an amazing person who is brilliant, is brilliant. There is no question about it. John Lennon is a saint and he is heavy duty and he is great and I love him. But, at the same time, he is such a bastard. But that's the great thing about him. You see, I don't feel I owe John anything or I don't owe Paul a thing or I don't owe Ringo anything. I've certainly given them whatever I could and I've taken from them whatever I could. But I don't think any of us owe each other a thing and at this point in time, you know, I'm really ready with John Lennon, in particular, to get down and kick down a few doors and let's get going together.