Lennon vs McCartney vs Harrison

How different would this be if it was post-Beatles.

My vote would be the same

Although the Lennon/McCartney handle was used on all the duo's publishing, it is quite transparent as to who wrote what in their vast catalogue. Paul and John collaborated on each other's tunes as if by unshakable habit, and as far as I aware, this practice continued right up to the Beatles split. e.g. Lennon's output is marked by frequent use of diminished/augmented chords and his melodies weave their way in and around the harmonies (which often modulate unconventionally and are considerably more static that Paul's) Macca's songs, by way of contrast, develop along classic conventional harmony lines (e.g Bach) and his chords are in the main, dictated by his melodic choices.

Harrison did contribute significantly to the Beatles output, but I feel his talent was confined to the detail and textural ideas he injected into the arrangements. However, it would be churlish to dismiss someone who wrote 'Something' as a mediocre songwriter wouldn't it ?

ExittheLemming wrote: Although the Lennon/McCartney handle was used on all the duo's publishing, it is quite transparent as to who wrote what in their vast catalogue. Paul and John collaborated on each other's tunes as if by unshakable habit, and as far as I aware, this practice continued right up to the Beatles split.

Edited by chopper - July 13 2009 at 11:08

Well, since McCartney is still alive, I'm guessing he could probably take the other two in a fight. 

Edited by Slartibartfast - July 15 2009 at 12:48

that is a real toughie....  enjoy Harrison's stuff the most... but a****le that he is... McCartney had the most consistent.. and best output IMO. Plus..damnit.. he had that voice.. 

Definitely,  John was the main prog factor and he's my personal favorite.  Many great ideas and a superb output.

George was really great as well and is just a very little bit below John.  He composed the best songs (especially ballads) and he played a mean guitar, but things like the bluesy "Savoy Truffle", my absolute Beatles favourite from the early years (1960-1965) "Don't Bother Me",  or the really groovy "Old Brown Shoe" were a bit too seldom.  I don't know if there were more of the more experimental pieces written by George who were rejected by the others,  but John showed a somewhat wider versatility (ballads, rock songs, psychedelic, pop pieces, folk...)

And Paul was the rock part of the group, a genius as well and also just a little bit under John and George.  He could have gained the top of the ranking  if he didn't do so many ballads. But "I've Got A Feeling" or "Getting Better" are also two of my personal favorites.

I saw McCartney at the L.A. Forum during the Wings Over America tour in the mid 70s. It was the only time I saw one of the Beatles live and it turned out to be a very good show. I especially liked the segment where Paul sat alone on a stool at center stage and did acoustic versions of several Beatle songs.

Well it doesn't surprise me that Paul is on top of the prog archives site, since i think he was the proggiest Beatle. 

1) John
2) George
3) MacCartney

With all the respect I have for MacCartney, I find him to stick too often to his poppish style...