#paul and linda

[buttahpie]

i actually genuinely think about Paul and Linda so much

(I know i’m a Mclennon blog but P&L and literally endgame. i’m so obsessed with them they have my whole <3).

and more specifically i think about them having Mary. something about Linda who was already a mother and knew what to expect, what to do, what it was like to have a baby of your own—but she had to show Paul the ropes.

I just have this image of Paul being so in love with Mary the way new parents always are with their first babies: “Is she okay?”, “Can I hold her like this?”, “She’s so tiny”, “Is it okay that she’s crying?”. And Linda just lovingly helping him and probably equally falling in love with just seeing Paul interact with a baby that was his. Watching him step into fatherhood in a new way. Obviously he stepped up for Heather but a 6 year old who is already becoming a person of their own is totally different from a baby, and baby that is specifically yours.

Or better yet: Linda telling Paul she was pregnant at the height of the tension of The Beatles in what I can imagine was one of the most turbulent times in Paul’s life. Paul says so himself that Mary came when he need her most. But I can just imagine the light in his eyes when she tells him, I’m sure it was a breath of fresh air for both of them.

Linda getting a chance to heal her own relationship with parenthood, and Paul getting to be a dad when he needed it most.

I’m so obsessed with them.

[ludmilachaibemachado]

Paul & Linda at the London Premiere of Live & Let Die on July 5, 1973🌼🌼🌼

Via @paulandlindaforever on Instagram🌼

[javelinbk]

Paul and Linda McCartney interviewed by ‘Norman Gunston’ (actor Garry McDonald) in Perth, Australia, 1975 - part 2 (part 1)

[scrambleddd-eggs]

Quick fanart of paul and linda. I downloaded krita and was goofing around with some gradient maps

[laurolive]

And They Said It Wouldn’t Work

Came across this lovely photo of Linda on the cover of the April 30, 1977, issue of the U.K. weekly Woman. Her interview is titled “All you Need is Love, and a Beatle called Paul: Linda McCartney's story” by Bonnie Estridge (p. 28).

That’s all the info I have since the story is not reproduced anywhere online that I can see (though it’s obtainable from other sources).

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Turning my attention to the cover text, when “they” said the marriage wouldn’t work, “they” were not without just cause, IMO. Circumstances pointed to a relationship destined for failure.

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McCartney juggled multiple girlfriends simultaneously and had never practiced commitment in his adult life. Linda counted among her lovers many of the rock musicians she photographed. McCartney pursued and slept with Linda (among others) while engaged to someone else (Jane Asher).

So here we have a courtship, begun in deceit and sneaking around, between two people who still appeared to be enjoying the free love era. “If he’ll cheat WITH you, he’ll cheat ON you” goes the adage. The guy couldn’t even stay faithful to his fiancée. Is this the behaviour of a future responsible family man?

Beatles biographer Hunter Davies didn’t think the marriage would last [link]. John Lennon gave it two years [link]. The civil wedding seemed to be arranged in a rush with a bride who was three months’ pregnant. The night before the big day, the couple had such a huge argument they nearly canceled the ceremony [link]. No wonder the marriage was given such poor prospects.

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Yet it became rock music’s most famous love affair and its most enduring monogamous union. HOW? For one, it goes to show that it’s easy to make predictions based on superficial knowledge.

Observers saw a womanizing Beatle rock star who would never settle down with one woman. It turns out McCartney had deeper layers than met the eye, and they meshed with Linda’s. We just didn’t know his REAL values in life until he talked about them.

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Some men are womanizers and stay womanizers. That’s who they are deep down inside. Monogamy has no appeal.

Some men are womanizers when young. It’s an experience to try, not a routine to live by. I think Paul falls into this category. Deep inside, he was a family man. Going by his interviews, where he often speaks tenderly of Linda and rhapsodizes about fatherhood, one can sense that he believed in romantic love. He wanted a soulmate; he wanted children. He matured, and his ingrained values came to the forefront.

He didn’t become husband material right off the bat. It was a process, probably a difficult one given his status. When he played the field in the later 60s, perhaps it was not totally to have fun, but also to seek out girlfriends with whom he had a real connection. These he called his “serious relationships” [link]. Some of those girlfriends claimed he wanted to marry them [link1, link2]; yet even when he did get engaged, he seemed to be unsure and still searching. (I guess he didn’t consider it cheating if he wasn’t married.) Recalling those days for the 2001 documentary Wingspan, McCartney tells his interviewer (who is also his daughter Mary) that it was time to get serious; and he especially felt that way with her mother. He didn’t want to remain a bachelor playboy all his life.

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And so he got serious. Once he committed, he was husband and father all the way.

“I had my wild life,” he declared in a 1974 interview [New York News magazine: Just an Old-Fashioned Beatle, April 7, 1974]. “But I told Linda everything about that and all the rest. I have no secrets from Linda. I had my time, in my time. But I am much happier now. This new life means more to me.”

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He expressed similar sentiments in other interviews over the years, such as TV interview with Barbara Howar, Aug. 23, 1986 and The Guardian: After Linda by Simon Hattenstone, Sept. 11, 2000, just to name two.

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©️ laurolive, laurolive.tumblr.com, www.tumblr.com/laurolive, www.tumblr.com/blog/laurolive, 2024

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[franklyimissparis]

i will not be hearing any ram criticism during PRIDE MONTH btw

[incorrectwolfstar]

platonic moonflower headcanons bc i said so

- definitely those two in class who’d constantly get threatened to be separated by the teacher if they didn't start doing their work + stop misbehaving

third year remus + lily in datda who can't stop laughing bcs "wtf is a hinkypunk" + "idek man." eventually they would get separated and have to sit at opposite sides of the classroom but then they'd glance at each other and they'd be gone. they wouldn't be allowed to sit together for the rest of the year

- remus introduced her to the wonderful world of swearing. ofc lily being muggle born would know what swearing is but was brought up not to do it. she knew remus two weeks - welsh, born + bred, swearing like a sailor, can't go a sentence without cursing. she was converted. remus taught her a bunch of new swears and slangs she didn't know about + they'd be the worst in their year for language

- remus allergic to mango (lil's fav) + lily allergic to chocolate

- modern au would post each other on their stories so much everyone assumes they've been dating for ages

- physical affection comes soso naturally. remus would play with lil's hair subconsiously + she'd trace the scars over remus' hands/arms. the both of them would take up one (1) armchair on each other's laps + play fight on the carpet (adds to the dating rumours james is pissed ha ha)

- they share clothes!! they're the same trouser size the majority of the time so remus would wear her flares + cords + pyjama bottoms. lil would steal remus' jumpers + (mainly) cardi's, with t shirts which are far too much big for her

- when they go out drinking eight times out of ten they'll end up in the same bed the morning after (if it doesn't end up with drunk sex w sirius/james remus will be little spoon)

- she introduced him to fleetwood mac, he introduced her to the beatles

- made a similar post ab this, but moonflower karaoke they'd fuck it up every time. like they'd be so good together. at christmas time they'd duet fairytale of new york by the pogues. somethin' stupid by frank + nancy sinatra. you're the one that i want from grease. long haired lady by paul and linda mccartney. don't go breaking my heart by elton john + kiki dee. i'm telling u guys omfg the world would implode

[beatsfornone]

[suresne]

I've never seen this before????

my favorite cottage core lesbians

[thegalaxyinapaperbag2]

aziraphale and crowley are so long-haired lady

[anulight]

Paul with his Linda

[ludmilachaibemachado]

Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach at their wedding April 27, 1981. The ceremony took place place at the Marylebone Registry Ottice and Guests included George and Olivia. Harrison, Paul and Linda McCartney (holding his son James) and Bach's son Gianni🌹🌼💐

📸Terry O'Neill🌼

Via @mccartneysteam on Instagram💐

[javelinbk]

Paul and Linda McCartney interviewed by ‘Norman Gunston’ (actor Garry McDonald) in Perth, Australia, 1975 - part 1 (part 2)

[imagine-mokey]

Paul and Linda

[laurolive]

Paul and Linda’s First Co-production

Mary McCartney made her debut August 28, 1969

Baby Mary on the floor in Abbey Road Studios, London.

Awww, so adorable! Paul’s mini-twin, with those chubby cheeks, those big brown eyes, and that dark hair. 🌸 🌼

What’cha lookin’ at with those luminous saucer eyes, little one? 👶

I can hear Linda saying, “Mary sweetie, look at mummy,” from behind her camera. 🚼

See here for two early baby pics of Mary’s bath time — More of Paul and Linda’s First Co-production

See here for five baby pics of Mary’s music lessons — Paul and Linda’s Baby

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[torchlitinthedesert]

Transcript under the cut.

Paul

"Life had just started to get a bit messy when Linda became pregnant with Mary. Allen Klein [the American business manager] was involved iwtht he Beatles and, over the year, things seemed to get more chaotic and worrying. Then, the miracle: our Mary. The chaos got pushed to one side and all I cared about was being a dad. But there was still a lot of unpleasantness flying around, so in the end I said: "Let's get out of here, go to Scotland and be a family." It wasn't planned, but Mary came at exactly the right time. She changed my perspective to a degree where I could look at what was happening with the Beatles and think, "Does it really matter?"

If you were a dad in the late 1960s, you were part of taht first wave who got involved with the whole process of pregnancy and birth. One afternoon I remember going down to the local Family Planning Association and picking up a booklet called You Are Having A New Baby. I loved reading it: "At this-many-weeks, your baby will be as big as an orange." And then being there at the birth! In my dad's day, that would have been unheard of.

My first solo album came out in 1970 and I decided to use one of Linda's photos of me and Mary on the cover. This tiny head poking out from the inside of my jacket. These days you wouldn't do it because it feels dangerous to put pictures of your kids out there, but back then we weren't bothered. A lot of musical acquiantances warned me that being a dad would change my professional life. You can't take kids on tour, you can't have them in the sutdio. My professional life did change because I was no longer in the band, but I was still writing and recording. For the first Wings tour in 1972 we simply packed a load of nappies and toys and took the kids with us.

Later, when they were at school, I'd have a word with the headmaster. "Look, we'll be away for six weeks and I don't relish the thought of getting a call in Australia saying something happened to one of the kids." The school gave us a list of the lessons they'd be missing and we took a tutor with us, which the kids hated. They saw it as a six-week holiday. Like all parents, we were dreading the rebellious teens, but the most rebellion we had from Mary and Stella was having to listen to Wham! all day long. Looking back, I guess that wasn't too bad.

In 1998 Mary and the kids lost their mum and I lost … Linda. I knew it was my job to be “strong Dad who keeps it together”, but you can’t do that the whole time unless you completely hide your feelings. Eventually my emotions started leaking out. That’s when the roles were reversed and the kids rallied round me. We got through it, but we all struggled because she was the glue that held everything together.

Linda would have been so happy to see how far vegetarianism has come since we started the food business [in 1991]. And now Mary’s continuing the tradition with her own vegan cooking show. Yes, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved musically, but I’m also proud that Linda played such a big part in bringing vegetarian food into people’s homes.

Christmas and new year were a big family thing when I was a kid, so I keep the tradition going. Me and Nancy [Shevell, whom he married in 2011] like to go to Mary’s, the grandkids running around with their new toys. I do it for them as much as me — I want them to experience the same joy I felt at their age. That connection with family is what keeps me sane. I’ve got my fingers crossed for 2022. Like everyone, I’m hoping we’ll get a chance to do some of the things we’ve missed out on, see the people we love. It’ll be nice to have a bit more normality.

Mary

My earliest memories are split between London and the farm in Scotland. The excitement of city life versus absolute solitude. It was still exciting but in a different way: riding ponies, climbing trees, helping Mum in the kitchen. And the sound of Dad’s guitar.

It makes me laugh now, but there were some afternoons when we’d be watching cartoons and Dad would wander over with his guitar. He’d sit down and start playing this beautiful music, messing around with melodies and songs. We’d all give him an evil stare. “Dad, we’re watching telly. Go in the kitchen.” One time he said: “Do you know how many people would love to be sitting here now, listening to me play guitar?” I just shrugged. “But we can’t hear The Wombles.”

Being a vegetarian family in the late 1970s marked you out as different. Everybody said it was all Mum’s idea and she’d forced Dad to stop eating meat, but they did it as a team. I remember them discussing recipes and Dad saying he still wanted something he could slice for his Sunday roast. Mum was always excited about cooking and she inspired me. Dad’s pretty good in the kitchen — he’d make a great sous-chef. If you ask him to sort out the mashed potato, it’ll be the best you’ve ever tasted. He’s meticulous, just like he is in the studio.

Of course people made fun of Mum and Dad for being veggie. They made fun of Mum for a lot of things, saying she wasn’t a real musician, she wore odd socks and charity-shop jumpers. The real problem was that she didn’t fit the mould of the woman they wanted Paul McCartney to marry. They wanted someone who went to all the chichi parties, but Mum was more interested in feeding the animals on the farm.

Mum and Dad insisted we went to the local comprehensive school, which made me feel a bit awkward at the time. I’d be in school for a term, then off on tour. When I came back, all my friends had made new friends. Now, when I look back, I realise what a smart move it was. It kept us grounded.

Dad was almost too enthusiastic when it came to helping with homework. On my own I could knock it off in half an hour but Dad would get out the encyclopaedia, he’d be cross-referencing and drawing graphs. The teachers must have got suspicious when I gave in these ridiculously detailed essays. Dad said education changed his life and he wanted to pass that love of learning on to us.

I look at Dad and think, after all he’s been through, how has he managed to stay in one piece? He has found a way of keeping a level head, no matter what else is happening in his life. My own personal theory — I’ve not talked to Dad about this — is that he needs normality because that’s what inspires him. Real life and real people. That’s where all the music comes from.

Every year that goes by I seem to find a new level of admiration for what Dad has achieved — and Mum too. My husband and I have this game where we try to get through a day without coming across a reference to Dad or the Beatles. What usually happens is that I get to around nine o’clock, then something comes on the radio or I see an ad for the new Beatles documentary.

I do listen to the Beatles at home, but it’s the Wings stuff I play the most. Mum’s not around any more, but when she’s doing her backing vocals I can still hear her and Dad together. There’s a song called I Am Your Singer — that always gets me. “When day is done, harmonies will linger on.”