Who is a better musician, Paul or John?

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Who's the better musician of the Beatles, Paul McCartney or John Lennon?

― Katie Blanco, Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:45 (twenty years ago) link

god was better than either.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:52 (twenty years ago) link

McCartney but John wrote more outstanding songs (McCartney may have written more good songs overall though)

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:56 (twenty years ago) link

Probably Paul, if you're talking technical skills. But he also liked to waste his talent on shitty songs like "Honey Pie" and "Lady Madonna" so that must negate any superiority.

― King Kobra (King Kobra), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:56 (twenty years ago) link

as "is": no more Beatles, no more John; isn't much of a choice, "is" there?

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:57 (twenty years ago) link

A loaded question, that. Paul is the better musician in a more melodically-conventional sense -- the material on "Revolver" and, notably, the contemporary Beatles singles ("Rain", "Paperback Writer", "Day Tripper"), as well as the "Sgt. Pepper" and "Abbey Road" bass work , as a start, is testament to his amazing harmonic sense on the bass. However, (and I do not say this to be provocative or as a hipster gesture), check out John's guitar work on the "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band" record to hear his guitar work on a comparable level with Hendrix, Sonic Youth, and Sonny Sharrock. Even on the Beatles' records, "Yer Blues", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Hey Bulldog" (by way of example), John holds his own as an impressive musician in a different style than Paul, involving a more sonic approach to his instrument. So, in sum, it depends upon one's criteria as to whether one throws in with John or Paul in this debate.

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 21:05 (twenty years ago) link

George

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 22 July 2003 21:16 (twenty years ago) link

John Lennon wrote better songs. Beatles Schmeatles.

― Johnny Badlees (crispssssss), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 22:45 (twenty years ago) link

I like the bit in the last sang on Abbey Road where they all take turns doing guitar solo nonsense. John's attempts are a bit cack-handed.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 22:51 (twenty years ago) link

Ringo still is the best drummer of them lot, with socialising skills galore too

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 22:53 (twenty years ago) link

seconding nom de plume. lennon's guitars on 'Plastic Ono Band' and 'Fly' are beyond belief, even today.

― jl (Jon L), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 23:03 (twenty years ago) link

...to say nothing of Life With the Lions - Unfinished Music 2!!

But come on, Paul was the better musician. That doesn't mean I don't love John tons more.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 23:12 (twenty years ago) link

>Life With the Lions - Unfinished Music 2!!

oh yes. forgot about that one. I met someone who was at that cambridge gig, who wasn't aware it'd been released -- he was headed out the door to the record store about 15 minutes after being informed.

I love Paul's bass playing. It's impeccable. It's spot on. It's always doing the right thing. Forever.

― jl (Jon L), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 23:24 (twenty years ago) link

Curtis OTM. john and paul were merely competent musicians with deeply unappealing singing voices

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 23:57 (twenty years ago) link

You are insane.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 01:30 (twenty years ago) link

er, no. sorry.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 01:31 (twenty years ago) link

George sang like an angel

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 02:38 (twenty years ago) link

he sure did.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 02:39 (twenty years ago) link

Which was HEAVILY IRONIC! Cos he eventually died.

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 02:44 (twenty years ago) link

(angels and mortals mutually exclusive? ...not necessarily)

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 08:51 (twenty years ago) link

I HONESTLY thought this was a Geir-baiting thread, set up specifically to entice him back into the fray . . . oh well.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 13:38 (twenty years ago) link

Heh heh. If only I could fill his shoes I'd oblige, but I don't have the stamina. (back to angel mode)

― nestmanso (nestmanso), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 13:46 (twenty years ago) link

But there's so much to live for!

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 13:53 (twenty years ago) link

What do you mean, defend Schönberg againgst G.?

― nestmanso (nestmanso), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 13:56 (twenty years ago) link

I like them both, I like G. better though

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 13:58 (twenty years ago) link

Sorry, I meant Geir. G. the Beatle certainly strummed a meaner Gretsch than Schönberg could handle.

― nestmanso (nestmanso), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 14:06 (twenty years ago) link

Oh man I take that back then

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 14:08 (twenty years ago) link

... however, Schönberg had some assets in the transfigured department. I admit that would be one stupid TS. Perhaps G. the Man vs. |George - Schönberg| ?

― nestmanso (nestmanso), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 14:15 (twenty years ago) link

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