By 1964, the Beatles’ popularity had surpassed Elvis’s. When they returned to the US, however, their music began to change. Lennon was spending more time alone with Epstein during this era. Soon, conflicts broke out amid the group—most notably John’s outburst at Paul’s birthday party. Upset by rumors that he and Epstein had been intimate, John attacked Wooler at the party. In 1971, John admitted that he was afraid of his own sexuality. Leslie holds that John was not doing well mentally and that in another group, he wouldn’t have been accepted. However, the Beatles were his closest friends, particularly Paul.

Leslie describes the chords, riffs, and lyrics of “Ticket to Ride,” tracing its influences back to the Ronettes. John had the idea for the song and brought it to Paul. They finished it together, as they would so many of their collaborative works. They used the song in their next film, Help! Leslie analyzes its meaning, particularly via the lens of John and Paul’s friendship.

Leslie tells the story of “Yesterday.” Paul got the idea for the song in a dream. He wrote the entire piece on his own. It was one the first songs he showed Martin that he and John hadn’t worked on together. Martin insisted on making “Yesterday” a Beatles’ song and recording it for the next album; only Paul sang and performed in the recording. The song created conflict in the group; John was particularly upset by it. Though the Beatles didn’t perform “Yesterday” on tour and it didn’t get much attention upon its release, Leslie quotes Paul as saying he wished he’d never written it because of the tumult it created. Leslie counters this notion, holding that it represents Paul’s genius.

In 1963, recording technology and studio standards began to change. Such changes aided Paul’s innate talents. Meanwhile, conflicts arose between Paul and Jane. Leslie asserts that “We Can Work It Out” might be about Jane but that it’s about Paul and John’s relationship too. John was taking LSD at the time and was less devoted to the band. He had a harder time focusing, which frustrated Paul (who wasn’t interested in LSD). The song addresses some of these conflicts. The other songs they were working on then (including “Day Tripper”) also represent John and Paul’s evolving musical interests. They were toying with conventions more and more.

Despite some of their conflicts, Leslie holds that John and Paul rarely disagreed when songwriting. For example, both acknowledged that Lennon came up with the idea for “In My Life.” Paul contributed greatly to the song, but it was a collaborative effort like all their work then. Leslie analyzes the chords, sound, and lyrics of this song and of “If I Fell” and “Nowhere Man.” The pieces merge John’s and Paul’s sensibilities. (John was more introspective and defeatist, while Paul was more sappy and happy-go-lucky.)

In 1965, Granada Television hosted a tribute to Lennon-McCartney songwriting. The broadcast consisted of various bands covering the Beatles’ songs. Leslie quotes John and Paul reflecting on this event, particularly their belief that only they could play their own music. John believed this was because they could emotionally inhabit the songs in a way other musicians couldn’t.

Leslie returns to “In My Life,” arguing that it demonstrates John’s love for Paul. He quotes Paul reflecting on John’s unwillingness to be emotional, but Leslie holds that “In My Life” is evidence otherwise.

In 1965, the Beatles took a break from performing. They weren’t planning a next step (because they rarely did) but needed a rest. They each pursued private interests or relationships during this hiatus. While Paul was embedded in London culture, John was reading about Jung, Nietzsche, and Leary and taking LSD.

At the end of their break, they returned to Abbey Road and began working on “Tomorrow Never Knows.” After its release, they were confident they had a hit.

After the break, John and Paul reconvened to write more songs. All the work they did during their time apart focused on death and was “written from a detached, omniscient perspective” (161). “Eleanor Rigby” is one example. Leslie analyzes the sound, arrangements, and lyrics of the work. He holds that it’s an ode to John and Paul’s early lives in Liverpool and demonstrates their musical genius.

Leslie describes a photo series taken of John and Paul when they were in Austria. He excerpts a 1990s interview with Paul reflecting on this experience. Paul identifies it as one of his fondest memories with John.

Leslie details the songs on Revolver. He analyzes the music and describes the album art. Every song, he argues, is a testament to John and Paul’s bond.