Paul McCartney or John Lennon... Which Beatle was the better songwriter?

natedoppler · 09-25-2008, 03:58 PM

I have always thought Paul was a much better songwriter, but when I shared this opinion with other musicians I have been met with much resistance.

I think McCartney seems to have more control over his instrument and is technically a better musician than John, however, John was always the cool one of the two and tended to write more groundbreaking or progressive songs. Paul also wrote music that was sweeter and more structurally complex in nature with more chords and sections, while John's songs usually were darker, simpler in structure, and might have more improvisation.

Opinions? Questions? Can anyone confirm this or deny this analysis?

TJ of Doppler
www.keepmusicalive.com
Powered by www.keepmusicalive.com

"I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that's how you learn your chops."

- Jon Anderson of Yes

sgtwatts · 09-25-2008, 04:26 PM

I can agree with you on that. I think Paul was better because the songs he wrote, they were the chartbreakers that made the Beatles who they are. Back in the 60's and early 70's you had to know how to play as well as you could sing.

Now to Lennon...he wrote the songs that mattered. When war was amist, drug use became heavier than ever, sex was something not to be ashamed of in the general eye of the public these where the things he really bought home. Some people viewed him as a revolutionist among other artist that were anti-goverment, save the world types.

Now to put everything into perspective it's really Paul songs that carries more of the legacy than Lennon songs have done. Even from the standpoint of both artist on solo's people still look at Paul and view him as the embodiment of the Beatles more John. Still though giving credit where credit is due I still would give John the edge for the chaotic time his music shined.

Aqualung · 09-25-2008, 04:38 PM

I thought Paul was better, too, because Paul McCartney (and Wings) were way better than John Lennon solo.

RickenbackerBassPlayer · 09-25-2008, 11:58 PM

Paul McCartney:
a. He is a very good at wrighting songs,
b. He plays bass guitar.

Baphomet · 09-26-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqualung

I thought Paul was better, too, because Paul McCartney (and Wings) were way better than John Lennon solo.

Are you kidding me???????????? Wings was so awful.... One word: Imagine. Lennon was by far the better song writer unless you like love song after love song as this was the only thing Paul was ever good at. Paul is a better singer than John but in no way could he write like John. Look at Johns lyrics... very insightful and meaningful (cept the wierd ones of course) next go look at the way John wrote his chord progressions... All I can say is wow. Don't compare thier later careers as John was still being strangled by Yoko. Paul has been a joke ever since the Beatles broke. And if paul was so great why didn't some crazed fan kill him?

gillward · 09-26-2008, 02:15 AM

Just because someone is a great songwriter doesn't mean a deranged fan has to kill them... that's kind of messed up. Paul was an exceptional songwriter. True, many of his songs suffered from frivolity, but he did right Helter Skelter, Live and Let Die and Baby I'm Amazed. Not to mention the most covered song of all time... Yesterday. However, John is my man. I always loved his intensity, lyrics and voice. John IS my favorite between the two.

Aqualung · 09-26-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baphomet4all

Are you kidding me???????????? Wings was so awful.... One word: Imagine. Lennon was by far the better song writer unless you like love song after love song as this was the only thing Paul was ever good at. Paul is a better singer than John but in no way could he write like John. Look at Johns lyrics... very insightful and meaningful (cept the wierd ones of course) next go look at the way John wrote his chord progressions... All I can say is wow. Don't compare thier later careers as John was still being strangled by Yoko. Paul has been a joke ever since the Beatles broke. And if paul was so great why didn't some crazed fan kill him?

Imagine is one of my least favourite songs ever.

MusicMan · 09-26-2008, 03:15 AM

Paul = bubblegum pop corporate garbage for the most part, especially solo

John = changed the world

Not even close, if you value substance in your music.

gillward · 09-26-2008, 03:57 AM

John and Paul together changed music (not to diminish George's contributions and Ringo's backbeat). John carried the torch. Sure, Paul has some every "twee" songs, but corporate garbage? Way too harsh for a guy who's written some of the most memorable songs of all time.

Quote: Yoko Ono has revealed that John Lennon used to stay awake at night wondering why Paul McCartney's songs were more popular than his own and were more likely to be covered by other artists.

paul72 · 09-26-2008, 03:58 AM

Great discussion topic! Considering the Beatles years, I think of more Paul songs than John songs when it comes to my favorites. I guess that makes Paul my choice. It is true they wrote from different viewpoints - John's music seemed to be more thought provoking and Paul's music was more on the emotional side. As technical players, I don't think of either as being better than the other. I always felt the Beatles were more about the songwriting and the group as a whole.

You can find good and horrible music in both of their respective solo careers. I'm a big fan of Band on the Run....could've done without Say Say Say. I love Imagine...but hate the stuff that John did with Yoko.

Aqualung · 09-26-2008, 04:34 AM

John, in my opinion, is little more than poetry. Poetry can be powerful and moving, but John is so lyrics-heavy that I feel like I'm getting gypped on the music. Paul's music is just more interesting, even if he's usually just singing silly love songs.

Joel · 09-29-2008, 10:50 PM

I pick George.

In all seriousness? John I think, but...

Harrison DID write While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Gotta love that solo.

Aqualung · 09-30-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

I pick George.

In all seriousness? John I think, but...

Harrison DID write While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Gotta love that solo.

Yes. "I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping" is the single greatest rock'n'roll non sequitur of all time.

sgtwatts · 09-30-2008, 01:06 AM

I always thought "Imagine" was overrated and just depressing. "Live And Let Die", was used in a James Bond movie....nuff said.

Aqualung · 09-30-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtwatts

I always thought "Imagine" was overrated and just depressing. "Live And Let Die", was used in a James Bond movie....nuff said.

This.

Jody LeCompte · 09-30-2008, 06:34 AM

"I am the Walrus" is actually the greatest thing The Beatles ever did, just to clarify.

<_<

>_>

Baphomet · 09-30-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtwatts

I always thought "Imagine" was overrated and just depressing. "Live And Let Die", was used in a James Bond movie....nuff said.

Yeah that really means something cuz crappy songs don't get played in almost every movie made and awful pop songs dont hit #1 all the time or anything... Truth really be told one without the other was just not what they were when they wrote together.

meanceprimeaux · 10-11-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

I pick George.

In all seriousness? John I think, but...

Harrison DID write While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Gotta love that solo.

AND he wrote "Something" which was probably his greatest effort of all.

I find myself in complete agreement with Aqualung on this one.

Imagine is so... unimaginitive musically. And the lyrics, while deep and meaningful are BARELY more than the typical "I want to change the world" theme that can be found in NUMEROUS songs through the years.

In retrospect the imagine lyrics are SO UTOPIAN and naive it can not even be seriously looked to as some genius type thing.

Paul could play many instruments adequately, and he wrote many many catchy tunes. FAR more than John ever could. Bubblegum maybe, but don't dismiss them for it. That was his CHOICE. Many talented musicians WISH they could write pop tunes that easily. He had a certain flare for diddies and often incorporated changes in his songs that showcased his talents even more IMO.

sgtwatts · 10-11-2008, 05:34 PM

Yeah I'm with you on that one. Lennon music was so...hmmm....how can I say this without being banned....HIPPIE!?!?!?!?

It was just so vauge and simple. You can't have your cake and eat it to. Promoting to save the world and then saying let all be free after smoking a bag weed isn't going to mesh well.

Aqualung · 10-12-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanceprimeaux

I find myself in complete agreement with Aqualung on this one.

Imagine is so... unimaginitive musically. And the lyrics, while deep and meaningful are BARELY more than the typical "I want to change the world" theme that can be found in NUMEROUS songs through the years.

In retrospect the imagine lyrics are SO UTOPIAN and naive it can not even be seriously looked to as some genius type thing.

Thank you!

natedoppler · 10-14-2008, 06:44 PM

Yeah, I thought that "Imagine" was always overrated too.. John was very full of himself and I didn't think he had that great of a voice, but he was definitely a visionary.

TJ of Doppler
www.keepmusicalive.com
Powered by www.keepmusicalive.com

"I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that's how you learn your chops."

- Jon Anderson of Yes

whistler's mother · 10-15-2008, 08:58 AM

I think Lennon was best. McCartney's mostly let himself down in terms of songwriting since The Beatles' split. Also, there's a really touching sincerity about the delivery of Lennon's songs. With Paul, you sometimes get the impression he's just playing because he has to play and singing because he has to sing.

RickenbackerBassPlayer · 10-16-2008, 01:27 AM

I really like McCartney's songs when he was in the Beatles, but not as much as a solo career.

1200Traxx · 10-20-2008, 04:11 PM

Paul, for sure

scorpiosher · 10-20-2008, 04:34 PM

John Lennon was the most amazing songwriter!

09-25-2008, 04:26 PM	#2
sgtwatts Bassist On A Quest Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado (Born St. Louis, MO) Posts: 211 Thanks: 24 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Rep Power: 30	I can agree with you on that. I think Paul was better because the songs he wrote, they were the chartbreakers that made the Beatles who they are. Back in the 60's and early 70's you had to know how to play as well as you could sing. Now to Lennon...he wrote the songs that mattered. When war was amist, drug use became heavier than ever, sex was something not to be ashamed of in the general eye of the public these where the things he really bought home. Some people viewed him as a revolutionist among other artist that were anti-goverment, save the world types. Now to put everything into perspective it's really Paul songs that carries more of the legacy than Lennon songs have done. Even from the standpoint of both artist on solo's people still look at Paul and view him as the embodiment of the Beatles more John. Still though giving credit where credit is due I still would give John the edge for the chaotic time his music shined. __________________ Fender Jag Bass Hot Rod Red MIM Fender Jazz Deluxe Bass Black fav Ibanez soundgear LTD Bass Cherry Blossom Pickguard Gerry Willis five string fretless

09-25-2008, 04:38 PM	#3
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,548 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 269	I thought Paul was better, too, because Paul McCartney (and Wings) were way better than John Lennon solo. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

09-25-2008, 11:58 PM	#4
RickenbackerBassPlayer Play the music, not the instrument Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Behind You Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 126 Thanked 165 Times in 155 Posts Rep Power: 125	Paul McCartney: a. He is a very good at wrighting songs, b. He plays bass guitar. __________________ Make sure to read the Rules for posting. Check out the KMA Review team thread post if interested. If you have any problems please feel free to Send me a message.. "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

09-26-2008, 03:15 AM	#8
MusicMan "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong." - Voltaire Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Inside your head Posts: 7,314 Thanks: 562 Thanked 460 Times in 401 Posts Rep Power: 500	Paul = bubblegum pop corporate garbage for the most part, especially solo John = changed the world Not even close, if you value substance in your music. __________________ Rules! A definite must-read How to upload music to the Music Showcase. How to embed a YouTube video. Send me a PM if you need any help with anything.

09-26-2008, 04:34 AM	#11
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,548 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 269	John, in my opinion, is little more than poetry. Poetry can be powerful and moving, but John is so lyrics-heavy that I feel like I'm getting gypped on the music. Paul's music is just more interesting, even if he's usually just singing silly love songs. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

09-25-2008, 03:58 PM	#1
natedoppler Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 19	I have always thought Paul was a much better songwriter, but when I shared this opinion with other musicians I have been met with much resistance. I think McCartney seems to have more control over his instrument and is technically a better musician than John, however, John was always the cool one of the two and tended to write more groundbreaking or progressive songs. Paul also wrote music that was sweeter and more structurally complex in nature with more chords and sections, while John's songs usually were darker, simpler in structure, and might have more improvisation. Opinions? Questions? Can anyone confirm this or deny this analysis? TJ of Doppler www.keepmusicalive.com Powered by www.keepmusicalive.com "I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that's how you learn your chops." - Jon Anderson of Yes

09-26-2008, 02:15 AM	#6
gillward Gllward Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 17	Just because someone is a great songwriter doesn't mean a deranged fan has to kill them... that's kind of messed up. Paul was an exceptional songwriter. True, many of his songs suffered from frivolity, but he did right Helter Skelter, Live and Let Die and Baby I'm Amazed. Not to mention the most covered song of all time... Yesterday. However, John is my man. I always loved his intensity, lyrics and voice. John IS my favorite between the two.

09-26-2008, 03:57 AM	#9
gillward Gllward Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 17	John and Paul together changed music (not to diminish George's contributions and Ringo's backbeat). John carried the torch. Sure, Paul has some every "twee" songs, but corporate garbage? Way too harsh for a guy who's written some of the most memorable songs of all time. Quote: Yoko Ono has revealed that John Lennon used to stay awake at night wondering why Paul McCartney's songs were more popular than his own and were more likely to be covered by other artists.

09-26-2008, 03:58 AM	#10
paul72 Trumpet Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Orleans Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	Great discussion topic! Considering the Beatles years, I think of more Paul songs than John songs when it comes to my favorites. I guess that makes Paul my choice. It is true they wrote from different viewpoints - John's music seemed to be more thought provoking and Paul's music was more on the emotional side. As technical players, I don't think of either as being better than the other. I always felt the Beatles were more about the songwriting and the group as a whole. You can find good and horrible music in both of their respective solo careers. I'm a big fan of Band on the Run....could've done without Say Say Say. I love Imagine...but hate the stuff that John did with Yoko.

09-29-2008, 10:50 PM	#12
Joel Biggest gig ever was a talent show Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cold Cold Canada Posts: 272 Thanks: 32 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts Rep Power: 38	I pick George. In all seriousness? John I think, but... Harrison DID write While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Gotta love that solo. __________________ Wrong or right, Black or white, If I close my eyes, Its all the same. Joels Guitar Setup = Ibanez RGA Prestige 121 --> Dunlop Crybaby --> Boss Super Overdrive --> Fuchs Tube Job --> Traynor YCS50 (PODXt Live in loop) --> Ears

09-30-2008, 01:06 AM	#14
sgtwatts Bassist On A Quest Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado (Born St. Louis, MO) Posts: 211 Thanks: 24 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Rep Power: 30	I always thought "Imagine" was overrated and just depressing. "Live And Let Die", was used in a James Bond movie....nuff said. __________________ Fender Jag Bass Hot Rod Red MIM Fender Jazz Deluxe Bass Black fav Ibanez soundgear LTD Bass Cherry Blossom Pickguard Gerry Willis five string fretless

09-30-2008, 06:34 AM	#16
Jody LeCompte Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 519 Thanks: 3 Thanked 68 Times in 50 Posts Rep Power: 53	"I am the Walrus" is actually the greatest thing The Beatles ever did, just to clarify. <_< >_>

10-11-2008, 05:34 PM	#19
sgtwatts Bassist On A Quest Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado (Born St. Louis, MO) Posts: 211 Thanks: 24 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Rep Power: 30	Yeah I'm with you on that one. Lennon music was so...hmmm....how can I say this without being banned....HIPPIE!?!?!?!? It was just so vauge and simple. You can't have your cake and eat it to. Promoting to save the world and then saying let all be free after smoking a bag weed isn't going to mesh well. __________________ Fender Jag Bass Hot Rod Red MIM Fender Jazz Deluxe Bass Black fav Ibanez soundgear LTD Bass Cherry Blossom Pickguard Gerry Willis five string fretless

10-14-2008, 06:44 PM	#21
natedoppler Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 19	Yeah, I thought that "Imagine" was always overrated too.. John was very full of himself and I didn't think he had that great of a voice, but he was definitely a visionary. TJ of Doppler www.keepmusicalive.com Powered by www.keepmusicalive.com "I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that's how you learn your chops." - Jon Anderson of Yes

10-15-2008, 08:58 AM	#22
whistler's mother Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 27	I think Lennon was best. McCartney's mostly let himself down in terms of songwriting since The Beatles' split. Also, there's a really touching sincerity about the delivery of Lennon's songs. With Paul, you sometimes get the impression he's just playing because he has to play and singing because he has to sing.

Sponsored Links
KMA Music Forum Advertisement

10-16-2008, 01:27 AM	#23
RickenbackerBassPlayer Play the music, not the instrument Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Behind You Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 126 Thanked 165 Times in 155 Posts Rep Power: 125	I really like McCartney's songs when he was in the Beatles, but not as much as a solo career. __________________ Make sure to read the Rules for posting. Check out the KMA Review team thread post if interested. If you have any problems please feel free to Send me a message.. "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

10-20-2008, 04:11 PM	#24
1200Traxx Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 17	Paul, for sure

10-20-2008, 04:34 PM	#25
scorpiosher Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 16	John Lennon was the most amazing songwriter!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Featured Artist = the Beatles	RickenbackerBassPlayer	Featured Artists	16	09-12-2009 12:21 AM
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder-Ebony & Ivory [1982]	Sir Droopy	The Soundtrack Of Our Lives	4	12-05-2008 08:17 PM
Paul McCartney & Wings-Silly love songs	Sir Droopy	The Soundtrack Of Our Lives	2	07-05-2008 04:10 PM