Here's how LSD closed the gap between Lennon and McCartney

John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s songwriting partnership created some of the most iconic music in history, with 162 songs for ‘The Beatles.’ One of those songs, ‘Getting Better’ from their 1967 album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ reflects not just their different personalities but also an unexpected moment that deepened their connection.The song ‘Getting Better’ was inspired by a phrase frequently used by Jimmie Nicol, who once performed for Ringo Starr on tour, according to Ian Leslie's book ‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs’. Nicol's words, "It's getting better!" clicked with McCartney and served as the inspiration for the song's joyful chorus. Lennon, however, included a darker verse in which he used the song to consider his regret and anger over hurting people in the past, particularly women. In ‘A Life in Lyrics’, McCartney recalled being taken aback by how challenging Lennon's early years were, stating that he was unaware that not everyone was raised in a loving household.Lennon acknowledged that he was annoyed and violent for a large portion of his childhood. Many were shocked by the honesty of his verse in the song, "I used to be cruel to my woman / I beat her." Around 1967, when Lennon was experimenting with marijuana and LSD, those close to him noticed a change in him. Lennon appeared to become "calmer, nicer, and more childlike" as a result of the drugs, according to Leslie.An accidental trip at Abbey RoadLennon took LSD by mistake one night in March 1967 while recording ‘Getting Better,’ thinking it was an upper. Unaware of the situation, producer George Martin took him to the Abbey Road Studios roof for some fresh air when he started feeling ill. Suspecting what was happening, McCartney and George Harrison hurried up in fear. They discovered Lennon staring at the stars, describing them as "fantastic."McCartney drove Lennon home after the session was put on hold and his driver was not available. Despite his prior avoidance of LSD, McCartney chose to take it with Lennon that evening, which resulted in an intense shared experience. Leslie claims that the two lost their sense of self in the moment as they made intense eye contact for hours on end, a habit they continued to have. Later, McCartney said he saw Lennon as a "Emperor of Eternity," calling it a "very freaky experience."A moment that strengthened their bondA unique part of their relationship was eye contact. After a fight, McCartney recalled a moment when Lennon looked at him and said, "It's only me," dropping all of his defenses in the process. Lennon also appeared to be looking for that connection, particularly in his solo work, such as ‘Look at Me.’"I have to see the others to see myself," Lennon said to biographer Hunter Davies after that evening. It's comforting to know that there is someone similar to me. We do depend on one another. Two musical legends became closer in a way that few could have predicted after that unplanned LSD trip turned into more than just an odd incident.