Paul McCartney’s son James and John Lennon’s son Sean release joint single “Primrose Hill”

Paul McCartney’s son James and John Lennon’s son Sean released a joint single “Primrose Hill”. Whether it can be considered a prerequisite for a new incarnation of The Beatles is discussed by Igor Gavrilov.

In total, members of The Beatles have ten children. Five of them are active musicians.

Both John Lennon’s sons, Julian and Sean, are prominent figures in show business. Julian has released seven solo albums, and the first, published even in the USSR, “Valotte” (1984), was sold platinum. Sean has recorded four albums and collaborated extensively with Cibo Matto, Les Claypool, Charlotte Kemp Muhl and his multi-talented mother Yoko Ono.

Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey, who will turn 60 in 2025, is one of the most sought-after session drummers in the world. Those to whom he provided a reliable rhythmic backing included members of The Who and Iron Maiden, as well as Johnny Marr, Peter Weller, Oasis and his own father’s rotating touring band. Zak Starkey hardly showed himself as a songwriter.

George Harrison’s son Dhani experiments a lot both on his own recordings and under the banner of various prefabricated projects and collaborations. In terms of musical activity, he is literally stepping on the heels of Sean Lennon.

The single “Primrose Hill” is officially billed as a James McCartney recording featuring Sean Lennon. By the age of 46, McCartney Jr. had released only two albums, but he actively helped his father. In general, all the music-playing descendants of the Beatles began their careers in the projects of their famous fathers. The daughters of Liverpudlians did not study music professionally.

The possibility of creating a group from the sons of The Beatles has been discussed by fans of the group for decades, ever since it became clear that all of them are worthy successors to the family and master the craft in such a way that there is no need to be ashamed of them. However, until relatively recently, such a prospect seemed completely illusory. In 2012, on his only tour in Russia, James McCartney made it clear, speaking with the local press, that he was not going to create The Beatles 2.0 with the sons of his father’s colleagues. His current partner and co-author Sean Lennon came to Moscow even earlier, in 2007. At that time he was at the peak of his solo career and played a serious role in the life of the New York alternative scene. Even if he had been asked then about something like The Beatles 2.0, Sean Lennon probably simply would not have understood what he was talking about – he was so in demand and busy on his own.

Back on April 12, James McCartney tweeted: “I’m thrilled to share my latest song co-written with my good friend Sean Lennon. With the release of this song, it feels like things have really moved on and I’m excited to continue sharing music with you.”

Words that the matter had moved forward excited Beatlemaniacs. Last year the single “Now And Then” was released, presented as the latest creation of The Beatles, and now it seems as if The Beatles 2.0 is in earnest. However, there were no other hints about the collaboration of the Beatles’ sons. But James McCartney announced a competition on his website for the best video for “Primrose Hill”. It should star couples in love. By the way, the competition will last until April 19.

“Primrose Hill” is a sentimental acoustic ballad about spending time with your loved one in a popular London destination. It is popular both among townspeople in general, as well as among filmmakers and rock figures. “Paddington” and the sequel to “Bridget Jones’s Diary” were filmed here, the band Madness has a song “Primrose Hill”, the city landmark was mentioned in the lyrics of Billy Bragg, Blur and Girls Aloud.

By and large, Primrose Hill is synonymous with a comfortable and relaxing time in London. Neither the lyrics nor the melody of “Primrose Hill” deviate one note from this mood. The song fits perfectly into James McCartney’s song catalog; he was never shy about associations with the light, hippie side of The Beatles. But Sean Lennon is a much deeper musician, in constant search. And compared to his instrumental jazz-psychedelic album Asterisms, released this year, the latest single sounds like a non-committal exercise in the mainstream genre, or like a favor done to people with whom he has a long family history. Perhaps an entire album could be the same favor.