Lennon/McCartney 2.0: Sean Ono Lennon and James McCartney Collaborate on New Single, “Primrose Hill”
Like fathers, like sons.
Following in the footsteps of their famous fathers, Sean Ono Lennon, the son of Beatle John Lennon, and James McCartney, son of fellow Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, wrote the song “Primrose Hill” together. McCartney performs the song, released this week on streaming platforms.
The younger McCartney, said on Instagram that with this song, he and good friend Lennon, “it feels like we’re really getting the ball rolling and I am so excited to continue to share music with you.”
Before the song was released, he posted on Twitter that the song, which references a London neighborhood which offers a picturesque view of the city’s skyline, is the result of a vision he had when he was a child.
“I had a vision as a child in Scotland, on what was a lovely summer’s day. Letting go, I saw my true love and saviour in my mind’s eye. ‘Primrose Hill’ is about getting the ball rolling with me & finding this person.”
McCartney is encouraging fans to enter a contest to make a music video for the song. The contest rules say that “the video must capture the essence of love and romance while showcasing the beauty of the couple’s favorite romantic location. Couples should be seen enjoying each other’s company, engaging in activities, and listening to James McCartney’s song ”Primrose Hill’.
Currently the only music video for the song is one Mary McCartney, a professional photographer and James McCartney’s sister, captured of her brother, dancing in the dark atop Primrose Hill.
McCartney’s proud papa Paul promoted the new song on Facebook, saying, “my son James has a new song out called ‘Primrose Hill’ – check it out! And lots of love to Sean Ono Lennon who co-wrote the song.”
James is the son of McCartney and his first wife, the late Linda McCartney, and Sean is the son of John Lennon, who died in 1980 and Yoko Ono.
Sean musical career has seen him perform in bands including Cibo Matto, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and The Claypool Lennon Delirium, as well as scoring a number of film soundtracks. His latest album, Asterisms, was released earlier this year.
James’ career began with him taking a creative role on his father’s 1997 album Flaming Pie, as well as 2001’s Driving Rain and his mother’s posthumous release, 1998’s Wild Prairie. He has released solo songs since 2010.
While this is the first time the younger Lennon and McCartney have collaborated, James asked other sons-of-Beatles about forming a band with the sons of the original Beatles back in 2012, but received mixed reactions.
“I’d be up for it,” he said in an interview. “Sean seemed to be into it, Dhani [Harrison] seemed to be into it… [but] I don’t think it’s something that Zak [Starkey] wants to do. Maybe Jason [Starkey, also a drummer] would want to do it… I don’t know, you’d have to wait and see.”