Paul McCartney or John Lennon: who was better?
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Topic: Paul McCartney or John Lennon: who was better?
Posted By: natedoppler
Subject: Paul McCartney or John Lennon: who was better?
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 12:58
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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 "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." |
Replies:
Posted By: febus
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:09
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I don't want to start this futile battle between the Lennonitas and Paulitos....This war has been fought some 35 years ago.
Just let say each one were genious at writing songs and what is important, they complemented each other perfectly and knowing the other one would come up with great songs, they had the motivation to go the extra mile to create all those jewels.
When they went solo, the pressure was gone...they still did great things but also recorded very so-so and silly songs.
Now choosing between Imagine or Band on the Run is just a matter of personal taste.
Each one had some good solo albums and a few stinkers as well, but it doesn't take away the fact they were both the best and they happened to play in the same band.
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Posted By: Astral_Traveller
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:19
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Oh god this is difficult,
I think your analysis is pretty good, i mean paul was always the more capable of the two in terms of straightforward heartwarming melodies but john was definitely the more innovative of the two. Then again paul was still a major force behind sgt. peppers, one of the most innovative albums of all time so its kinda hard to be really black and white about it.
I would argue that john's songs are no less complex though.. (a day in the life??)
In terms of who was better overall... I want to say John but...
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Posted By: Alberto Muņoz
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:24
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Difficult to answer this, because it's like you compare water and oil. -------------  |
Posted By: jimidom
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:48
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Hmmm...... As songwriters, they are equals. Paul may have given us "Hey Jude", but John gave us "Across the Universe". Paul may have given us "Blackbird", but John gave us "Julia". Paul may have also given us "My Love", but John also gave us "Imagine". However, I would say the edge in musicianship goes to McCartney. Now John was no slouch musician, and he could play some mean guitar and was a great vocalist and pianist, but Paul is a true musician's musician. He has great command of all the instruments he has ever played, which includes the drums. Furthermore, Paul is one of the great vocalists of all-time. I was listening to Venus and Mars the other day ,and I still get chills when I hear his vox on "Call Me Back Again". ------------- "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - HST |
Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 15:19
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George Harrison ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: September 24 2008 at 00:56
| John is much more interesting in my opinion. I enjoy that dark, simple quality of his music over Paul's goofy "i love you" pop songs. I think both needed each other though, but John's solo work while having weak moments was far better than Paul's, in my opinion. |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 24 2008 at 04:53
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Kotro wrote:Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: September 24 2008 at 05:32
I couldn't have put it better myself!
I'll also stick up for George Harrison - All Things Must Pass is the equal of anything in the solo Lennon and McCartney catalogues, and Brainwashed was the best thing by any former Beatle for about 20 years. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: SgtPepper67
Date Posted: September 24 2008 at 08:16
I agree. I think both were even as songwriters in The Beatles, but Paul was a better musician. I also think Paul's solo career was far more interesting than Lennon's.
Actually, the part in the middle is by Paul, and all the orchestation was Paul's idea, so in my opinion Paul's collaboration is what makes it more complex. ------------- 
In the end the love you take is equal to the love you made... |
Posted By: markosherrera
Date Posted: September 24 2008 at 14:48
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John Lennon like a singer and composer
------------- Hi progmaniacs of all the world |
Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: September 25 2008 at 04:49
Fair comment about A Day In The Life, but I Am The Walrus was 100% John, as were Happiness is a Warm Gun (arguably the most complex individual song the Beatles recorded), Strawberry Fields Forever and Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: September 25 2008 at 07:20
Well said Chris, especially about the excellent Brainwashed. I would actually rate All Things Must Pass as the best Beatles solo album, even outranking the works of Starr.
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Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: September 25 2008 at 18:50
Totally agree, I go with 'Imagine" though ------------- 
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Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: September 25 2008 at 21:48
| Monkberry Moon Delight vs. Gimme Some Truth. How ya gonna choose??? |
Posted By: febus
Date Posted: September 25 2008 at 23:23
Yes, indeed!! .....2 great ,great super songs
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