This post is all about the songs…
Although the songs where credited Lennon-McCartney / McCartney-Lennon, one of them usually contributed more than the other.
Many books, interviews, articles & not at least the artwork itself have helped us get a sense of who was the “mastermind” behind each song. Most of them where collaborations.. but usually one of them was more to “blame”.
Some important books on this subject:
- Ian Macdonald – Revolution in the head
- William J. Dowlding – Beatlesongs
- Mark Lewisohn – The Complete Beatles Chronicle
- The Beatles – The Beatles Anthology
- Bård Ose – Beatles hele livet (Norwegian)
My systematic approach to decide this issue… is to put up a top 10 list of my favorite Beatles songs.
The greatest Beatles songs:
- In My Life (1965)
- Strawberry Fields Forever (1966)
- A Day In The Life (1967)
- Hey Jude (1968)
- Something (1969)
- Eleanor Rigby (1966)
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968)
- Yer Blues (1968)
- She Loves You (1963)
- Penny Lane (1967)
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Based on my investigations… and this can not be facts.. but good estimates I believe:
- In My Life (70/30 – Lennon)
- Strawberry Fields Forever (~100% Lennon)
- A Day In The Life (60/40 – Lennon)
- Hey Jude (~100% McCartney)
- Something (100% – Harrison)
- Eleanor Rigby (85/15 – McCartney)
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (100% – Harrison)
- Yer Blues (100% – Lennon)
- She Loves you (50/50)
- Penny Lane (~100% McCartney)
In Conclusion:
We got 3 brilliant songwriters here. Most Beatles fans have strong opinions on who was the best songwriter.. or who was most important (some would even argue .. George Martin)
Their all GREAT!
BUT greatest of them all was John Lennon.
Now.. for the good stuff
In My Life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEE-30FSNJY
Strawberry Fields Forever:
A Day In Life:
Hey Jude
love them both grew up with them.just love the beatles.
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they took inspiration for TAXMAN from the Batman theme……
I believe Paul is the best composer.
“Their all great?” You mean THEY’RE all great.
And “WE’VE got three brilliant songwriters…”
Mister City Grammar Policeman…
In any event, my top ten is “You Won’t See Me, “Penny Lane,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Rain,” “She Said She Said,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” “Getting Better,” “Baby You’re A Rich Man,” “I’ll Be Back,” and “It’s All Too Much.” Four Paul, four John, one John/Paul, and one George. So it’s an even split between the world’s greatest songwriters.