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

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
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"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

 

I think that Paul's songs were more commercial.

John's were more insightful.

 

Eternal question.

 

George's songs were really the best.

 

Except for that whole copyright infringement thing.

 

And, Ringo was a talent in his own right...I mean, look at the movie Caveman. That's a masterpiece. Oh...and Thomas the Tank Engine. (I kid...I love Ringo, too! And I secretly LOVE the movie Caveman.)

 

Lennon.

 

George. *ducks*

 

if i could choose (they were both great) i'd pick john's ones, cos they're much more weird and kinda creepy...
but i'm really into ringo's ones... they're so lovely!!! i'm so in love with him and his music...

 

I love Pauls music so much but i love Johns even more. They are both Great just Great. George was great also Long Long Long is one my favorites. Ringo developed into a good one you gotta love Dont Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden.

 

Although I am a great fan of most Beatles songs, I have always preferred John Lennon's writing style to Paul McCartneys. Even simplistic songs (I want you - she's so heavy for example) I love. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away is another classic Lennon.
That being said, Yesterday I have always considered a McCartney masterpiece.

 

I like John more but Paul is pretty good, I liked his last album.

 

Lennon by a long shot for me. His songs make you delve into your mind and think about life.

 

I dig 'em equally, even though I like Paul's style of writing in his Wings period.:cheers2:

 

errrmm im gonna say johns were better. But i mean they wrote somewhat differently. So i perfer johns writtings, not to say pauls arent great... cause they were.

 

if it's between lennon and mccartney....
lennon!

but goerge is still my favorite .

well....maybe for me john and george are tied.


but i love you too ringo!

i love them all really.
<3

 

michael jackson wrote all them songs when he was a kid, thats why he wanted them back.

 

well george is my personal favorite, but between the ro i choose john. he remains true to his sound until he died

 

everyone always chooses john. I'm surprised paul isn't as respected as he should be. I don't pick a particular favourite band member, I just dig their music. Doesn't matter who wrote what,it's all the Beatles!

 

What? John Lennon by far....I guess I'm biased though as I really don't like Paul nearly as much. I've always thought John was a much more insightful and inspiring song writer. I think his lyrics are way more thoughtful than Paul's. I do have to say sometimes Paul's songs are more catchy, but I don't think that makes him a better writer.