What If Paul McCartney Had Given Maxwells Silver Hammer to Badfinger?

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These so-called 'what if' questions can be quite immature and intriguing at the same time. As a professional musician for over 50 years, my opinion is that both Maxwell’s Silver Hammer (MSH) and Come and Get It (CAGI) are remarkable tracks, but MSH stands out as a more outstanding song. Badfinger's vibe and simplicity truly suited the former perfectly.

The ultimate decision on what to include in the Abbey Road album series rested with all four Beatles members—John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Any change in the tracklineup would not have been a favorable one, as the entire album is a testament to its perfection. They would not have allowed Come and Get It to compromise the integrity of a masterpiece. Given the creative input of all members, it’s clear that Abbey Road would have remained unmatched. Any alteration would have been a step backward, ensuring that the album’s grandeur would not have been diminished in the least.

Had Paul McCartney featured Maxwells Silver Hammer in the album instead, the result undoubtedly would have been flawless. However, Come and Get It, while not entirely inferior, is not as complex and intricate as Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. It was originally the theme song for a film starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, titled The Magic Christian. If the Beatles had included Badfinger's take on this track, it would have been a cover version, much to the chagrin of John Lennon and George Harrison, who were often critical of each other’s music.

Despite these collaborations, though, Badfinger, a band notoriously cursed with bad luck, would have benefited little from either song. The band’s first major hit, Come And Get It, was followed by Nothing Arrangement. Over time, the recognition of the band would have been similar with either song; the former would have brought in more hits and popularity that might have led to more recognition in the long run. Paul McCartney's decision to include Maxwell’s Silver Hammer was not without reason, as it added a unique layer to the album and resonated with fans and critics alike.

To summarize, the choice of Maxwell’s Silver Hammer might have slightly improved the album, but the impact would have been minimal given the timeless nature of the other tracks. And, if we were to consider the alternative, we might have missed Steve Martin’s take on Maxwell's Silver Hammer in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, a scene from the Godawful film. While it's not ideal, it's still a valuable and entertaining addition to the Beatles' legacy.

So, to answer the question—nothing particularly noteworthy would have happened. We would, however, have heard Steve Martin’s unique take on Maxwell’s Silver Hammer in Sgt. Pepper's.