It was a friendship that turned into one of the most unexpected and painful rifts in music history. When Paul McCartney reflects on his feud with Michael Jackson over The Beatles catalog, it reveals a story of trust, business, and a shocking betrayal that still echoes through the music world today.
From Collaboration to Conflict
In the early 1980s, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson were more than just peers — they were friends and collaborators. Their musical chemistry was undeniable, delivering hits like “Say Say Say” and “The Girl Is Mine.” Off-stage, they shared laughs, meals, and even talked openly about the music business.
During one of those conversations, McCartney gave Jackson a valuable piece of advice: invest in music publishing. Paul had been trying for years to regain control of The Beatles’ catalog, which he had lost after a series of complicated business deals in the 1960s and ’70s. Paul never imagined that tip would come back to haunt him.
The Shocking Acquisition
In 1985, Jackson made headlines when he outbid McCartney and others to purchase ATV Music — a deal that gave him ownership of over 250 Beatles songs, including classics like “Hey Jude,” “Yesterday,” and “Let It Be.” The moment stunned McCartney, who had always dreamed of reclaiming rights to the music he had written with John Lennon.
“When I heard he bought it, I thought, ‘What? He’s supposed to be my friend,’” Paul McCartney later reflected. “I showed him how to do it, and he did it — to me.” The move created a deep wedge between the two former friends, and the warm relationship they once shared cooled into distant silence.
A Feud of Feelings, Not Fury
To be clear, McCartney never expressed anger in the traditional sense. He was hurt. Disappointed. Confused. Despite the enormous value of the Beatles catalog, it wasn’t about the money for Paul — it was about legacy, about ownership of his own art.
Fans often speculated whether there was ever a reconciliation. After Jackson’s death in 2009, McCartney spoke publicly with grace and sadness. “We drifted apart after the business deal, but I’ll always remember the fun times we had. He was a massively talented boy,” Paul said.
Still, the loss of the Beatles catalog remained a sore spot for decades. “It was business, not personal,” McCartney admitted — but the wound was personal, nonetheless.
A Bittersweet Resolution
In the years following Michael Jackson’s passing, the ownership of the catalog shifted again. Eventually, Paul began regaining rights to his share of The Beatles’ songs, thanks to U.S. copyright law allowing authors to reclaim their work after 56 years. It was a quiet victory, but a meaningful one.
When Paul McCartney reflects on his feud with Michael Jackson, there is no venom in his words — just a tone of quiet regret and hard-won wisdom. “I wish things had gone differently,” he once said. “But that’s life. You learn.”
A Legacy Larger Than Any Catalog
Despite the dispute, the bond between two musical giants remains a powerful reminder of how even friendships can falter under the weight of fame and fortune. What they created — together and separately — changed music forever.
And while the feud over The Beatles catalog may have created tension, it never erased the respect they once shared or the groundbreaking music they gave to the world.