Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that at one time Yoko Ono, John Lennon's widow, earned more from the Beatles song Yesterday than he did.

He wrote the classic song by himself without the involvement of the other Beatles.

Sir Paul has often spoken about how Yesterday came to him fully formed in his sleep.

It was so vivid that he assumed he must have lifted the melody from another source.

But he told the Radio Times that the deal he signed in the group's infancy, and to which he is still tied, means he gets a small cut of the proceeds.

"John and I were 20 when we signed our first agreement in a dark flat in a Liverpool mews which still applies to this day," Sir Paul told the Radio Times.

Credits

"And many bosses later - most recently Michael Jackson at Sony - we still haven't had a raise."

Jackson recently reiterated his desire to hold onto the Beatles catalogue.

"Luckily I've done so well I don't feel bitter, but it's pretty terrible and wrong. They should recognise our success and alter the deal."

According to Sir Paul, Ono refused to let him put his name before John Lennon's on the credits of Yesterday for The Beatles' Anthology collection.

"At one point Yoko earned more from Yesterday than I did. It doesn't compute, especially when it's the only song that none of the Beatles had anything to do with.

"I asked as a favour if I could have my name before John's on the anthology credits for Yesterday, and Yoko refused.

"I could question her but I'm a civil person and life isn't long enough. I'd prefer to walk in the park, have fun. I still talk regularly to Ringo and George - I love them till death us do part."

He said people might be surprised to find him insecure.

"I could say, 'Hey, are you kidding? With my talent and my money?'

"But I'm being honest. Everyone I know is insecure in some way or other whether it's about their shape, finance, talent, marriage."