Lennon or McCartney?

[singlecoil]

Just wondering whether those who are familiar with the Beatles output had a preference. I'd have to say that although I believe McCartney to be the best song writer that has ever lived, my special favourites are all Lennon compositions. And Your Bird Can Sing, Revolution, Rain, Tomorrow Never Knows, She Said She Said, the list goes on.

OTOH, McCartney's range is amazing, from Eleanor Rigby to Helter Skelter to Michelle to Yellow Submarine, all from the same person. I can't think of anyone else who has such a varied output of what are all pretty much perfect songs.

[marcosgt]

Only one way to find out...

M

[Frik]

McCartney wrote a better tune, but Lennon's lyrics had much more bite. Personally I think that's what made them so great: a fine balance of talents.

[soapystick]

I'm a Macca fan. Lennon, i dunno, alot of good music, but just seemed a bit of a space cadet after the Beatles.

As previously said, Paul's range of songwriting abilities is pretty amazing. Beatles, Wings, and all the solo stuff. A massive body of work. I think he had/has a better voice too. Just listen to Maybe i'm Amazed.

I wonder if the fact that one of them is dead, that has an influence as to which one they say is "better". Just a thought.

[2volvos]

It's a tough one as each brought huge and complimentary talents to the band which, when added to by George's musicianship and Ringo's 'individual' style, created a sound ad songs greater than the sum of their parts - like all great bands.

You only have to look at their post Beatle work to see that often that counterbalance to their own style was lacking - Silly Love Songs, Frog Chorus, How Do You Sleep, Working Class Hero (puuleese!).

Personally I think the best post Beatle solo album is George's All Things Must Pass.

But I've never thought that the lazy stereotype of Paul being lightweight and melodic and John being the lyrical rocker really stood up to much scrutiny. Helter Skelter? Back in the USSR? If I Fell? You've Got To Hide Your Love Away? And I think Paul has had moments of sublime lyrical poignancy and insight - Eleanor Rigby? She's Leaving Home? And by the same token John wrote some horrid lyrics - Run For Your Life has an awful sentiment behind it.

[lainchers]

Maybe a silly Q. But I thought all the songs were credited to both?I had heard that Macca was the better talent. But every time I've seen a record it was credited to both of them...

[singlecoil]

lainchers said:

Maybe a silly Q. But I thought all the songs were credited to both?I had heard that Macca was the better talent. But every time I've seen a record it was credited to both of them...

They made an early agreement to share all the credits, but it's known that many of the songs were entirely the work of just one of them, and many were mostly the work of just one, with the other contributing small parts.

When you know what to listen for, you can usually tell who wrote it (apart from just which one is singing it). The melody in Lennon's songs tends not to go up and down very much, whereas McCartney's tend to cover a much wider range of notes. His lyrics tends to be a lot more extrovert too.

[marcosgt]

singlecoil said:

They made an early agreement to share all the credits, but it's known that many of the songs were entirely the work of just one of them, and many were mostly the work of just one, with the other contributing small parts.

When you know what to listen for, you can usually tell who wrote it (apart from just which one is singing it). The melody in Lennon's songs tends not to go up and down very much, whereas McCartney's tend to cover a much wider range of notes. His lyrics tends to be a lot more extrovert too.

Some of my favourite Beatles songs are Harrison's.

BTW, I rather like Silly Love Songs Did anyone watch Wings over the World recently? It was a programme filmed during Wings' world tour that also spawned the "Wings Over America" album (probably my favourite live album ever).

M.

[singlecoil]

marcosgt said:

Some of my favourite Beatles songs are Harrison's.

If I Needed Someone is AFAIAC the outstanding track on Rubber Soul. I'm told it was based on a McGuinn riff from an obscure song called Bells of Rhymney. I searched for this track and listened to it a few times, and I was reminded of the scene in Amadeus when Salieri had written a welcome march for Mozart. People who have seen the film will know what I mean. People who haven't seen the film have a treat in store for them, especially if they like music.

[audidoody]

Macca for sheer versatility (compare and contrast "Martha My Dear" and "Birthday").

Lennon for expressing personal angst. "I'm A Loser" and "Help" (let alone "Mother") are two of the most poignant songs ever written (IMHO).

[Wacky Racer]

Impossible to choose between them (imo)

They both produced some of the best songs ever written, as well as some turkeys best forgotten.

I definitely think in hundred years time, their best work will be revered in the same way as Chopin's and Rachmaninoff's is now.

George Harrison tended to be overlooked at times, but should never be under estimated, he was responsible for some wonderful music.

[anonymous-user]

Personally I prefer McCartney. But as others said , George Harrison's songs were their equal on the last few albums.

[Evangelion]

My personal opinion is that John wrote the better words and Paul wrote the better music, but that each was more than capable of invading the other's territory on many an occasion.

John wrote the better rockers but could turn out a nice ballad as well, whereas Paul's rockers were always too raucous for me, and some of his ballads were cloyingly oversentimental.

[calibrax]

I often wonder what awesome songs John would have written if he hadn't taken most of the 1970s off.

Paul wrote some wonderful stuff in the 70s, 80s and 90s either with Wings or solo. One of my favourite collaborations is when he worked with Elvis Costello at the time of the "Flowers In The Dirt" album. It worked so well, reminiscent of John & Paul really, with Elvis providing John's acerbic wit and "edge".

This duet with Elvis Costello is one of my faves... "You Want Her Too" from Flowers In The Dirt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oigs45cwvJY

[calibrax]

I love the way Paul released a 12" remix of "Ou Est Le Soleil" anonymously in the clubs in the late 80s, before it came out as the B-side to "Figure Of Eight". I remember a few people saying it was a great dance tune, while at the same time telling me I was sad because I liked McCartney. Little did they know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfuX28kyJE

[NelsonR32]

Some of the stuff Lennon put out prior to his premature death (I'm loosing you, Watching the wheels, Woman etc) were the best of his career. Such a shame that we never got to hear more.

McCartney was always more pop friendly but there are some fantastic tracks hidden in albums like 'Flaming Pie' and 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard'.

I would chose Harrison over all three Beatles though. The spiritual overtones tended to put people off at the time but I would pick All Things Must Pass, Living in The Material World, Cloud Nine and Brainwashed over any album Lennon put out whilst he was alive.

[marcosgt]

NelsonR32 said:

Some of the stuff Lennon put out prior to his premature death (I'm loosing you, Watching the wheels, Woman etc) were the best of his career. Such a shame that we never got to hear more.

Mmmm - we'll have to agree to disagree there. He'd got rather sentimental imo.

M.

[JRewing]

This doesn't relate to the music, but I've always thought that John Lennon was a complete (although a reasonably talented musician).
So for that reason and that alone I will say McCartney. Harrison was by far my favourite Beatle though.