Lennon or McCartney?

1. 60

   Nicky Pageposted 13 years ago

   Lennon or McCartney?
   
   Who was the driving force behind The Beatles? And why? Paul McCartney was orderly...John Lennon was unruly, but together they dominated The Beatles' songwriting and were in fact the greatest songwriting collaboration in popular music history. There has been an ongoing debate over Lennon or McCartney for decades. What are your thoughts and opinions?

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2. 61

   KnowledgeSpeaksposted 13 years ago

   John Lennon was the deeper of the two and his music (along with George Harrison's fewer contributions) always had a more spiritual quality to it. McCartney was the more pop music oriented of the two, but he sure did write some nice tunes. He hasn't been faring too well these past few years, but hey, he's still alive and it's possible that Lennon may have stumbled in his old age had he lived that long. Love them both though. Brilliant musicians and brilliant people.

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3. 64

   Thunder Vixenposted 13 years ago

   Lennon wrote Imagine...alone...he was probably the better song writer and more inspired but we may never know. In the Beatles they needed to be together but they could each stand alone.

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4. 56

   Fullerman5000posted 13 years ago

   I would have to say McCartney. Though Lennon was definitely more dark and deep, most of the popular Beatles songs had to deal with love and more upbeat moods. On a personal level, I prefer Lennon. If Lennon was still alive today, i do not think he would be making music still unlike McCartney. Good question.

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5. 0

   wilbury4posted 13 years ago

   In my opinion, Lennon... What classics has McCartney produced since John was killed? I would say that since John's death, George Harrison has surpassed McCartney.
   Just my opinion!

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6. 60

   The Barbecuehutposted 13 years ago

   In my opinion, in the beginning Lennon was the driving force without a doubt; he put The Beatles together. Towards the end it was McCartney.
   
   During their time together there was positive competition within The Beatles, hence some of the best songs of all time. Also, George Harrison provided some positive competitiion to both John and Paul.
   
   After they split there was negative competition. Decent songs but nothing to match what they did when they were in The Beatles.
   
   When they, sort of, made up, there was little competition between the two and, in my opinion, they produced nothing of the standard that they were capable of.
   
   They were never anywhere near as good outside The Beatles as when they where together; they needed each other.

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7. 61

   bryrockposted 13 years ago

   I say Lennon, with due respect to McCartney.
   
   Lennon was the voice of his times, while McCartney provided a complementary soundtrack.
   
   Lennon redefined the threshold of Pop, while McCartney expanded the range of Pop.
   
   Lennon was the driving force that made The Beatles happen, while McCartney was the glue that tried, but ultimately failed to keep them together.

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8. 67

   Dhartposted 13 years ago

   That's easy - Lennon. Even though I share my birthday with McCartney and his "Maybe I'm Amazed" and especially "Band On The Run" are forever classics.
   
   As someone who wrote a biography on John (not me) put it, "Where McCartney had great talent, Lennon was a genius."

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9. 60

   tinawehaposted 13 years ago

   Are you kidding?  There is only one answer:
   
   Compare "Silly Love Song" to "Instant Kharma" or "Imagine".
   
   After the Beatles broke up, John went over the top with sarcastic types of songs...but thoughtful songs.  Paul went saccarine sweet and mushy...he was like a "boy band" without the pounding bass.
   
   I think the biting wit of Lennon was the driving force, but when Lennon and McCartney were together they balanced each other out and their songs were more amazing (and prolific).  The sum of their parts were greater than the whole..or the other way around...not sure of the saying.  The saccarine boy and the sarcastic bad boy multiplied each of their talents when they were together.
   
   The only songwriter/musician that even comes close to Lennon/McCartney songs is Billy Joel.

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10. 60

    PR Morganposted 13 years ago

    I have to take both...they are better together than apart...I think they pushed each other into different directions.  Together they created the most creative music of their time.  I don't think either of their solo works can compare...

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