John Lennon vs Paul McCartney
 

Which do you think is the more musically talented, taking into account both their work with the Beatles and their respective solo careers? Its been the subject of a furious debate with my friends today. It was pretty even either way. I'm more of a Lennon person myself.

I'm a Paul Person, i like him more as a human being, and as a song writer. But out of the whole of the Beatles George was always my favourite.

I knew I would get some people going for George or Ringo. Less so the latter. But I want to settle this!I mean come on, McCartney just screwed up A Day In The Life&. Well, its still a good song. But it would be better without Paul's bit.

if i had to pick, which i find futile, i'd pick (as far as musicianship goes).....

wow. i seriously just paused for a good minute.
i can't choose. haha.
i guess i choose John.

John was the more focused but, so far as their purely musical talent, I'd go for Paul, who was looking into and absorbing more experimental styles and attitudes long before John.

considering the wording of your question, it's Paul, while John was the better lyricist, he couldn't match the output of Paul's extensive almost assembly line rate of music from classical to avant-garde composition

Has anyone heard that new McCartney song in the iTunes commercial where he's playing a mandolin? It's like;

We're gonna go party tonight
Gonna feel alright
yeah
ooh

It speaks for itself. McCartney is a tosser. I really don't enjoy the Beatles, but I think John had more going for him in terms of having something to say and inspiring people. It's Liverpool John Lennon Airport for a reason.

I heard that new McCartney song on my TV, it's a very boring deflated song. He has done some good stuff, but not as good as Lennon in my opinion, even though as Pantophobia said, Paul has probably written a more diverse range of songs. Lennon's songs just seem to be more human and meaningful to me.
If George was considered in this poll, I'd have to go with him for being the most musically talented.

"one Down Three To Go
One Down Three To Go"

HAHA - I love that advert i dont know why... I think it's for the reasons you've listed. It just really amuses me. As for the debate. is it a debate. John Lennon anyway for reasons that he's more introspect and fucked up... He was a total asshole too. To really judge it though macca would have ot be dead or lennon alive.

"one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all good children go to heaven!"

swa(y), I would argue that if someone likes green day, and does not take the time , or make the effort to listen to the circle jerks or screeching weasel, then that person is a straight up dipshit. and I'll say it to their face!


as far as the thread, I voted for John, because hi songs struck more of a chord with my own sensibilities. paul wrote some magnificent shit, no doubt, and his ear for melody is near unmatched, but john always wrote from the gut. Yr Blues, for example. paul could never write that. So Tired, another example. Revolution 1, something lennon could do and paul could not (write political AND moving lyrics). However, my two all time favorite beatles songs were pretty much co-written by both, A day In the Life, and I Want You (She's So heavy).
It is a close race though.

and if it comes to just musical ability, Paul wins hands down. he can play anything, much like Prince, or Stevie Wonder. John could not play the drums!

Circle Jerks vs. Quincy Jones

You're mad :P - but you must agree that theres a defrentiation between Green Day and whatever. History doesnt factor in when you listen to something so its a pretty moot point but its important i suppose. But i dont know... I hate it when people are pretty unenthusiastic or dismissive of something when I say they're good or whatever. I don't know where i'm going with this but you can tell when bands go the extra mile and have some kind of intent.

eh.. i sense people are being a little TOO unfair to Paul and who he is as a person/songwriter
he wrote MANY good songs. he's just as a good a musician as John is.
i seriously don't have a "preference"
maybe i'm not much of critic, but i only critique when i think its really necessary.
credit is hardly being given where it's due.

Has Atari posted about this already?

sorry, this is just plain wrong.

i always thought that too. Beautiful Lennon bits followed by this geeky, cheeky, barbershop bit. Paul's too clinical for me in his writing style. Gotta be John for Strawberry Fields alone, cuz that's me favorite song of ALL time. i do love Martha My Dear.

*yawn*

i meant, john. sorry...

John.