The Julian Lennon Inspired Song From The White Album

They say that the best inspiration comes from family. Time after time, musicians often use this strategy to create some of the best songs known to man – and even the likes of The Beatles were a testament to this truth.

John Lennon was known for his poetic songwriting which spoke the truth that we all needed to hear at some point. He often use various inspirations to create masterpieces, and sometimes, he relied on family to test his creativity. Paul McCartney, the other half of the iconic Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, once revealed that Lennon’s son, Julian, was an inspiration for The Beatles’ song, “Good Night,” found inside the White Album.

Paul revealed all the details in his 1997 memoir, Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now: “You could almost be forgiven for thinking “Good Night” was mine, because it’s so soft and melodic and so un-John,” Paul explained. “I believe John wrote this as a lullaby for Julian, and it was a very beautiful song that Ringo ended up singing to the accompaniment of a big string orchestra.”

Paul also explained why John opted not to sing the track, and instead gave it to their drummer, Ringo Starr: “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,” Macca said. “We heard him sing it in order to teach it to Ringo and he sang it very tenderly.”

Nevertheless, Paul McCartney still has vivid memories of his old friend’s tenderness, which was rare yet pure to find.

Listen to “Good Night” below.