A Letter from the Past: When John Lennon Visited Paul McCartney in a Dream and Inspired a Magical Glastonbury Moment
On the eve of one of the most anticipated performances of his career, Paul McCartney experienced something otherworldly — a dream so vivid and moving, it felt more like a visitation. As he prepared to headline Glastonbury, a festival steeped in spirit and sound, Paul found himself transported in sleep back to his roots. In this dream, he sat quietly on an old wooden bench in Liverpool, the kind they might’ve lounged on as boys. The air was heavy with nostalgia, and beside him appeared a familiar figure — John Lennon, with his trademark shaggy hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and that mischievous grin that once lit up studios and stages alike.
Without preamble, John leaned over and said, “Play that one, Paul. But this time, don’t touch the words.” It was a moment that felt as clear and real as any conversation they’d shared in their youth. When Paul awoke the next morning, the words echoed in his head, lingering like the residue of a melody. On impulse, he reached for his notebook — and there, seemingly waiting for him, was a line he and John had once jotted down during their songwriting days: “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”
That night at Glastonbury, before a sea of fans both young and old, Paul McCartney made a decision that would touch hearts around the world. For the first time since John’s passing in 1980, he performed “All You Need Is Love” exactly as it had been originally written. No remixes. No modern arrangements. Just the song, pure and unaltered, sung from one old friend to another across time and eternity.
As Paul’s voice filled the air with the song’s timeless message, something profound happened. The crowd, which had moments earlier been buzzing with excitement, fell into a deep, reverent silence. And as the final chorus echoed through the festival grounds, many in the audience swore they could hear something more — a second voice, faint but unmistakable. It was as if John himself had joined in, his harmonies carried gently on the wind, uniting with Paul one last time in a performance that transcended the physical world.
In that moment, Glastonbury wasn’t just a music festival. It became a sacred space — a place where memory, melody, and the magic of dreams bridged the divide between past and present. And for Paul McCartney, it was a reminder that though John was gone, their bond, their songs, and their love were still very much alive.