"But I always wound up being the damn John, when I wanted to be the Paul"

This quote by Courtney Love is a representation on her own experiences in life. She is revealing her stress at not being able to be the individual she intended to be. She is comparing herself to the Beatles, with John being the extra severe and also liable one, as well as Paul being the more care free as well as innovative one. She is stating that she has actually constantly been the John, the one who needs to take on the more severe and liable roles, when she intended to be the Paul, the one who could be extra innovative as well as care free. This quote is a reflection of the struggles lots of people face in life, of intending to be something various than what they are, but seeming like they can't. It is a suggestion that we all have our very own paths to follow, which it is okay to desire something different than what we have.