Who do you prefer as a songwriter, John Lennon or Paul McCartney?

Question

I have to say Paul Mac. Not only is his Wings stuff superior to John's solo stuff, but his Beatles song are for the most part better than John's. I'm not putting John down, he is certainly one of the greats, but I just think Paul is pretty much the best of all time.

1. It's not that I don't like John's solo stuff, it's just that i think Paul's is better :)
2. Paul and John had an agreement that all their solo compositions would be credited to Lennon/McCartney, so Paul's solo songs were credited to them both as well.

3. some people keep saying that Paul wasn't deep. I have to disagree and say that Paul just wasn't as abstract, but he was certainly deep, just look at "Yesterday" and "Hey Jude"

Answer 1

Together they were amazing. The balanced each other out. Lennon was deep and passionate, but had no gift for creating melodies. McCartney is very gifted melodically, but he's a little too bubblegum. There was a great synergy when they were together that neither could duplicate solo.

Answer 2

Although Paul has come up with quite a few silly songs where the lyrics are weak, this is bound to happen considering the sheer volume of material he put out.. I beleive that Paul was far superior to John as a solo artist though not as important. Paul tended to continue writing for the mass market wereas John decided to get away from the `formula`and write from the gut which made his songs less commercially accessible than paul`s but more important in social commentary. As Beatles the two were equal because John at that time was also writing some very powerful songs written for the top 10 market especially the early material and it was that material that caused the Beatles to explode on the scene. Anyone who can say one is better than the other is letting their own preference intervene because none was better than the other though Paul certainly had the most sales. proof in point that John could write for the meat market as a solo when he still wanted to was the monster Imagine...Btw I feel Paul is writing some of the best material he has right now than in the past 30 years and the lyrics are some of the best since Eleanor Rigby

Answer 3

I think Paul was better at composing melodies but John was by far the better lyricist. I'm sorry to say this but Paul did come up with some pretty inane lyrics for songs like "She's A Woman", and "Live And Let Die".

Answer 4

What a tough question. Real tough. Paul has 'Hey Jude' and 'Yesterday'---2 masterpieces. While Lennon had 'Come Together' and 'Revolution'--2 more masterpieces.

Wings had some excellent stuff like 'Juniors Farm' and 'Jet', but they come nowhere close to the great 'Imagine' and 'Instant Karma'.

I REFUSE to choose one. (Sorry!) But today's best songwriter is Lyle Lovett IMO.

Favorite Beatles song ever? 'A Day In The Life'

Answer 5

Paul McCartney

while john lennon was legendary, McCartney has a more diverse music style.

McCartney in Guinness Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular-music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio.

Answer 6

really? you dint like john solo stuff. his solo stuff is great.Paul is great too. but john stuff hits me right in the heart. i just think john was more creative in making you sort of relate to the emotion he was trying to give. Paul is just a great songwriter

Answer 7

It really depends on what you enjoy in lyrics. Lennons were, for the most part, alot deeper and meaningful. McCartneys are generally a bit "lighter" in substance and catchier. I love them both.

Answer 8

I like them each, however perhaps Lennon a little bit extra. One of my favourite Lennon songs is "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!". "A Day within the Life" is without doubt one of the first-class Beatles songs. Don't omit their Abbey Road album songs: "Mean Mr. Mustard" "Polythene Pam" "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" are a few of their first-class. I shall be looking the commencing cermonies.

Answer 9

fyi,,,just in case you never heard....one major problem between john and paul was the fact that paul insisted on getting credit for songs that he did not write.john caved to pauls childish ways and allowed him to sign his name to "john solo written songs"and paul even admitted that john did ghost write their biggest hits.it was linda who pressured paul and finally helped him achieve his own hits.paul admitted he had no talent without john.and it was ONLY after this admission by paul on National TV that i even was able to respect paul .

Answer 10

Love them both... it's like choosing between your parents. But I would have to say McCartney