John or Paul?

[Peter-Carlin]

Hi Toothdoc: Well, they both wrote great songs, they both wrote less-than-great songs, they both wrote songs they wish we'd all forget. What I think is compelling is that a lot of that "edgy" "experimental" stuff I bet you're thinking of -- e.g., "Tomorrow Never Knows," and "A Day in the Life," were made edgier and far more experimental, in music terms, by Paul's contributions. John knew nada about tape loops til Paul showed him about them while making "revolver." And Paul was the one who got into John Cage and came into the studio with the suggestion that "ADitL" include those abstract orchestral climaxes. Therein lay the magic of their collaboration, I think. 

[KBCMom]

I have always loved Paul, but have to give it to John if we're talking about which of them gave the songwriting team a creative edge.

[Vermontcozy]

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EarlSiclair wrote:

I think that for me the question is not who was better, but what would they have been without each other. They complemented their music and often sought out each others advice. When Paul got stuck on Obla-Di-Obla-Da after many many takes, John finished the song in 15 minutes.

John was not afraid to call a song by Paul a bunch of crap if he really felt that it was. And they would work together to create a better song Look at all of the collaboration on Revolver and Rubber Soul, both written in the same year. One of the two started around October 15 and in stores by Christmas that year! It takes two people who can anticipate what the other was trying to say. And of course they had George Martin with his musical training to help.

Paul was the better musician of the two by far, but I think that without John's edginess, the music would not be any where near as good. John could pull Paul back to the Rock and Roll or R&B sound where there roots were.

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Perfectly said,EarlSiclair.It was always John and Paul.feeding off each other's brilliant talent.I am so glad I was around to be part of Their World...Susan..

[yodapas]

The key to the whole issue is what you personally think of the two individuals styles, but the whole key to what made the Beatles who they were and still are is five equally important reasons.

John Lennon, Paul MaCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr & George Martin.

If any of theses five people were missing then we would not be speaking of the Beatles or who was best today.

[CasperAZ]

In my opinion, Paul would be the most significant creative force of the Beatles.  On a grade basis, John gets an A but Paul gets A+.

[JamieB63]

John.

real, raw, emotion

[GABAergic]

Without Paul or John, we would not have the Beatles. I definitely am more drawn to John, and prefer his solo work, but the fact remains that nothing happens in a vacuum and every event is influenced by multitudes of interactions from the cellular to the sensory to the emotional level. Nobody else could have put out Sgt. Peppers, but it required them all. Paul and John also relied on each other for motivation and inspiration, so they too would not have been the same without the other. Sorry to be a fence rider, but in this discussion it is necessary.

[Sarah3973]

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CasperAZ wrote:

In my opinion, Paul would be the most significant creative force of the Beatles.  On a grade basis, John gets an A but Paul gets A+.

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I 100% whole-heartedly agree with Caspar AZ on this one.