"You have to be a bastard to make it, and that's a fact. And the Beatles are the biggest bastards on earth"

John Lennon’s remark about the necessity of being a “bastard to make it” and characterizing the Beatles as “the biggest bastards on earth” is typically subversive, cutting through the idealized veneer that often shrouded the band. Lennon, unflinchingly honest, reveals the gritty reality behind immense success in the music industry, dispelling the myth that great achievement is merely the product of raw talent and charm. Instead, he points to a form of ruthlessness, an aggressive determination to get ahead, often at the expense of others or through behavior not typically associated with the public personas cultivated by major stars.

At the heart of Lennon’s declaration lies his recognition of the competitive and sometimes brutal world of popular music. The Beatles’ rise from Liverpool’s clubs to global stardom occurred in a business rife with exploitation, jealousy, and infighting. Making difficult decisions, standing up to powerful industry figures, and outmaneuvering rivals requires strength, shrewdness, and, as Lennon bluntly suggests, a willingness to dominate or disregard others’ feelings. The label “bastard” in this context is not simply an insult; it underscores a survivalist mentality, the hardness required to attain and maintain such unprecedented success.

Lennon’s self-inclusion in his criticism signifies his own discomfort or ambivalence about the price that came with Beatlemania. By lumping himself and the other Beatles among the world’s “biggest bastards,” he resists any notion of moral superiority, acknowledging flaws and perhaps a form of guilt about how their achievements were won. The comment also serves as a challenge to the audience: to recognize the humanity, and even the darker traits, of those on pedestals. For Lennon, honesty about the cost of fame is more valuable than maintaining a pristine reputation. In exposing the necessity of toughness and, at times, unsavory behavior, Lennon compels listeners to re-examine their perceptions of idolized figures, success, and the compromises they require.