"Bands I hated" - Paul McCartney

Even the greatest musicians had to keep an eye open for up & coming acts

At 82, Paul McCartney has little left to prove. He’s one of the most successful and influential musicians in history. But even legends have their irritations—and this week, McCartney stirred up conversation by candidly naming six bands he "hated" back in the day. His comments, featured in a recent online video, weren’t rooted in malice. They were about rivalry, ego, and the creative friction that comes with changing the course of music.

McCartney’s list wasn’t just a set of personal jabs. It read more like a roster of artists who challenged The Beatles' dominance or struck a nerve with their style or success. Some were contemporaries. Others were upstarts. But all had one thing in common: they got under his skin, at least for a while.

Here are the six bands McCartney reportedly mentioned, along with some insight into why they might have earned a place on his list:

1. The Rolling Stones
It’s no secret The Beatles and The Stones shared a friendly but fierce rivalry. McCartney has called them “a blues cover band” in past interviews, while also praising their longevity. But in the mid-60s, the Stones' gritty edge and swaggering image were a direct counterpoint to the Beatles’ polish. “They were the competition,” McCartney once said. “We wanted to be better than them.”

2. The Beach Boys
“Hate” might be a stretch, but McCartney has said he was “jealous” of Brian Wilson’s work—especially Pet Sounds, which famously pushed The Beatles to create Sgt. Pepper. The sonic one-upmanship between the two bands helped shape some of the most groundbreaking albums of the era.

3. The Byrds
The Byrds brought jangly guitars and folk-rock harmonies to the forefront, which may have felt a little close for comfort in the mid-60s. Their version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” topped the UK charts while The Beatles were experimenting with similar sounds. McCartney has admitted that hearing them made him want to “sharpen the pencil.”

4. Led Zeppelin
Harder, louder, and darker than The Beatles ever were, Led Zeppelin defined a new kind of rock excess. While McCartney respected their musicianship—especially John Bonham’s drumming—he reportedly didn’t connect with the over-the-top theatrics and bombast. “It wasn’t our thing,” he’s said in the past.

5. Oasis
In the 90s, Oasis declared themselves heirs to the Beatles’ throne—and weren’t shy about it. The Gallagher brothers’ cocky comparisons rubbed McCartney the wrong way. “They’re derivative,” he once said, though he’s also acknowledged the strength of some of their songs. It was less hate and more irritation with the bravado.

6. Wings Tribute Bands
This one’s a curveball, but McCartney has poked fun at cover acts who focus on his post-Beatles work with Wings. He’s said some take liberties that make him cringe. “If you’re going to do ‘Band on the Run,’ at least get the chords right,” he joked in a 2010 interview.

Despite the strong language in the headline, McCartney made it clear his feelings have mellowed. “Back then, you’re young and you want to be the best,” he said in the video. “Now I look back and think, thank God they were there. They made us better.”

In his 80s, McCartney still tours, records, and occasionally revisits the rivalries that helped shape his career. The competitiveness that once sparked tension has mostly turned into appreciation. After all, without that push and pull, the musical landscape might look very different today.

Whether he “hated” these bands or simply felt threatened by them, one thing is clear: they mattered. And McCartney’s reflections are a reminder that even the greatest icons had to keep an eye on the rearview mirror.

Sources:

• Paul McCartney
• YouTube