The Behind-the-Scenes Battle Between Music Legends

Let me tell you something interesting about two of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll history—Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. Sure, they may have officially buried the hatchet years ago, but according to insiders, there's still a little competitive fire simmering beneath the surface. It's like a friendly rivalry that just won't die, even though both of these guys are in their 80s now. They're still out there trying to one-up each other, whether it’s through their music or their public personas.

Here's what a source close to the situation told Closer: "Neither of them would ever admit it openly, but Mick gets this massive sense of satisfaction—no pun intended—when he outdoes Paul, and Paul feels the same way when he beats Mick." You can almost picture them both with a sly grin whenever they pull off something impressive. It's classic rock star behavior, isn't it?

A Long-Standing History of Drama

Now, let's take a trip down memory lane. The rivalry between these two icons stretches way back. If you go back a few years, Paul made some pretty bold statements about The Beatles being a better band than The Rolling Stones. He even called The Stones a "blues cover band." Oof, that's a shot! But hey, it's all part of the game when you're two of the most legendary acts in music history.

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Fast forward to last year, and Mick addressed the whole situation during an appearance on the “Q With Tom Power” podcast. He said, "I've always been friends with Paul. We don't see each other that much, but we do text each other. We sort of keep in touch. I've always gotten along well with him." Sounds pretty chill, right? But as it turns out, things aren't entirely smooth sailing.

Still Competitive After All These Years

According to Closer's insider, there's still a bit of tension lingering between them. "Mick thinks he gets the best reviews and can put on these spectacular performances, while Paul still believes he's the superior singer and songwriter," the source reveals. The edge of their rivalry may have softened over the years, but it's definitely still there. And here's the thing—it pushes them to keep performing and creating music, which is great for fans. But to others, it might come off as a little petty.

Even though they're constantly trading barbs, there's one thing they seem to agree on: they both think they're better than everyone else. "They like to brag that they're in better shape than any of their peers," says the source. Paul's a vegetarian and takes a clean approach to life, while Mick is also hyper vigilant about his diet. There's a sense that they both think they're superior in their own ways.

Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger — Victor Blackman/Express/Getty Images

At the end of the day, this is just who Paul and Mick are. They like to push each other's buttons, and that's part of what makes them such fascinating figures. Despite their friendly competition, Mick is genuinely excited about the future of rock music. He's even rooting for the upcoming Oasis reunion, hoping it's a massive success.

A separate source told Closer earlier this month that Mick is all in for Oasis's return. "This is fantastic news for every legacy act in England, including the Stones and the surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr," the source explained. "In the era of streaming, live shows and merch sales are crucial, and Oasis back on the scene is a big win for everyone."

The tour, featuring brothers Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher performing together for the first time since Oasis split in 2009, kicks off in the U.K. next summer and heads to North America after that. As the tour approaches, you'll likely see Mick come out and publicly support these guys. It's not just out of politeness; Mick sees the bigger picture here. "Mick understands how this can help an entire generation of retro rockers sell more tickets," said the source. "It's excellent news for the U.K. music scene that a major act is returning and filling stadiums effortlessly."