The Songwriting Battle: McCartney vs. Lennon - Who Wrote More Hits?
The enduring debate between the Beatles' Paul McCartney and John Lennon is legendary, with both artists contributing indelible hits to the band's vast catalog. However, who wrote more of the iconic songs that made the Beatles the most successful band in history? To answer this question, we will delve into the numbers and explore specific examples of collaborations and individual contributions.
Joint Credit vs. Sole Credit
When analyzing the songwriting contributions of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, we must consider the different credits given to each member. If a song was jointly written, it receives 1/2 credit to each, while a song written solely by one member counts as a full credit. To give an accurate assessment, let's examine the data:
John - 95 songs, 44 fully writtenPaul - 90 songs, 42 fully writtenGeorge - 25 songs, 12 fully writtenRingo - 5 songs, 2 fully written
It's important to note that many songs are in dispute regarding the authorship, but this breakdown offers a fair representation of their individual and joint contributions.
Special Cases: McCartney and Lennon's Collaborations
Some of the most intriguing examples of collaboration between McCartney and Lennon are songs where one took lead vocals, despite the other's songwriting. Two fascinating examples include:
Eight Days a Week
Eight Days a Week was primarily written by Paul McCartney, but it was sung by both John Lennon and Paul. The song, requiring a number of high notes in the key of D major, highlights McCartney's strength in bursts of high notes but his struggles with successive high notes and breath control. This is reflected in the need for John to take the lead vocals in this instance. The crackling vocal performance when Paul's voice was strained could be why John stepped up for the lead.
The song originally titled "Eight Arms to Hold You" was rushed into the Help! album at the last minute and quickly re-titled, emphasizing the speedy nature of their songwriting process.
Day Tripper
Day Tripper is a unique example where Paul McCartney and John Lennon traded lead vocals, with the former taking the lead on the verse and the latter on the chorus. The rationale behind this structure isn't entirely clear, but it's possible that John felt more comfortable with the lower harmony on the verses. In the second chorus, John's nuanced performance in falsetto adds an extra layer of vocal complexity and emphasis.
The song was required as a quick fix to meet contractual obligations for Beatles singles. This underscores the efficiency and productivity that defined their creative process.
Data Sceptics and Authorship Controversies
Some people who have looked into the matter believe that John Lennon wrote slightly more songs than Paul McCartney. According to trustworthy sources, between 71 and 68 songs can be definitively attributed to each songwriter, with the remaining 160 songs being of joint authorship. Data has shown that Lennon did write a bit more than McCartney for the Beatles' LPs. However, the exact numbers may vary based on different assessments.
These examples highlight the dynamic nature of their songwriting partnership and the contributing factors to the Beatles' unparalleled success. While the exact numbers and authorship remain a source of debate, these collaborative efforts showcase the unique talents of both Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
These insights into the songwriting battle between Paul McCartney and John Lennon can be incredibly valuable for understanding the Beatles' creative process and the factors that contributed to their legacy. Whether you're a fan of the Beatles or a music industry professional, examining the roles of these two iconic songwriters can offer profound insights into the world of rock and roll.