Who was the greater songwriter... - Historum

throughthepastdarkly · June 13th, 2010, 08:36 AM

PLEASE NOTE: Those who cannot name...
1) all four Beatles
AND
2) the band who [ahem] the latter choice spent nearly all of his career with should not vote in this poll.

If you cannot answer BOTH of the above questions, thank you in advance for prudent abstinence.

**avon** · June 13th, 2010, 03:28 PM

I very nearly voted Pete Townshend on account of a pile of hit songs (incl. Pinball Wizard) and the fact that I think Paul McCartney outshone Lennon in the creative department. But then I remembered one of the bast songs ever in the shape of Imagine. I can't go past this one song and then his contribution to the most successful songwriting duo of their time. I voted Lennon.

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**NewModelSoldier** · June 13th, 2010, 03:45 PM

The Who I like better then the Beatles, but I think Lennon was a bit more cutting edge and challenging in his lyrical output, but Townshend is still going and is a master in his own right. I will however vote for Lennon in this case, though Townshend is no slouch.

**okamido** · June 13th, 2010, 04:12 PM

Lennon

skizzerflake · June 20th, 2010, 08:10 PM

Separating McCartney from Lennon just isn't right. They had such different temperments. McCartney needed Lennon to tell him that he was getting too cute and Lennon needed McCartney to tell him that he was being to acerbic. Neither was as great as a solo "team". One without the other is like the One Stooge or just Laurel. Taken as a team, they were, without a doubt, the best songwriters of the rock era.

**NewModelSoldier** · June 20th, 2010, 10:00 PM

I disagree with the assertion that Lennon was not great without McCartney. I much preferred Lennon's solo work to most of the Beatles catalogue, because its engaging, insightful and edgy, whereas most Beatles stuff is fluff.

KAMelton · June 20th, 2010, 11:25 PM

I've been a Beatles fan since I was five. I've been a Who fan since my teens, but when I sit and think about the songs themselves, I have to vote Lennon. He was simply more creative, in my humble opinion.

skizzerflake · June 22nd, 2010, 06:59 PM

Brian Wilson is also missing. His best stuff borders on being oratorio.

rehabnonono · December 26th, 2010, 12:01 AM

Lennon made great music, the others made entertaining music.

**Toltec** · December 26th, 2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewModelSoldier

I disagree with the assertion that Lennon was not great without McCartney. I much preferred Lennon's solo work to most of the Beatles catalogue, because its engaging, insightful and edgy, whereas most Beatles stuff is fluff.

I agree and McCartney's post Beatles stuff is dreadful.