When you listen to the songs of The Beatles, do you feel drawn more toward the soaring melody of Paul McCartney, or the raw edge and emotional weight of John Lennon? Both members were incredible songwriters, and together they created something extraordinary — yet their individual styles reveal distinct personalities and creative perspectives.
Paul McCartney: The Melodic Craftsman
Paul tends to favour sweet, accessible tunes. His songs often ride on memorable melodies, rich harmonies and a general uplift in mood.
He uses a wider vocal range more frequently — stretching notes higher or exploring lower registers more dramatically compared to John.
His lyrics lean toward optimism and everyday romance — songs about love, life and hope.
Musically, he often builds songs around strong chord progressions and more “vertical” harmonic ideas. One commentary put it as: “John’s was linear (horizontal, rhythmic), Paul’s was harmonic (vertical)”.
If you find yourself humming the melody long after the song ends, or gravitate toward songs that feel like a bright sunrise rather than a stormy night, you may very well be in the McCartney camp.
John Lennon: The Raw Visionary
John, on the other hand, brings a different flavour — introspective, sometimes darker, experimental. His writing often leans toward emotional depth rather than perfect polish. Some of his characteristic traits:
His lyrics explore idiosyncrasies, surreal images and more emotional or even unsettled inner worlds.
Sonically, his songs sometimes favour simpler structures but intense feeling rather than ultra-elaborate melodic arcs. For example, critics note his songs might be “darker, simpler in structure” with more improvisation.
He also embraced unconventional ideas in songwriting — unusual sounds, strange lyrics, the idea of pushing boundaries.
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If you lean toward lyrics that make you pause, music that feels like it’s coming from the guts rather than the heart alone, and a bit of a restless edge in your favourite tracks — you might lean more toward the Lennon side.
So… which side are you on?
Let’s ask some simple questions:
Do you find yourself humming the melody first — or are you drawn to the words, the mood, the feeling behind the song?
When you think of your favourite song by the Beatles, does it feel joyful and melodic (McCartney) or emotionally charged and slightly off-kilter (Lennon)?
Do you prefer a perfect pop song you can sing along with, or a song that makes you think or feel in a new way?
If you answered mostly the first set, you might be a McCartney devotee. If the second set spoke to you more — you may be a Lennon fan.
But remember: It’s not a competition
It’s important to stress: this isn’t about proving one is “better”. The magic of the Beatles lies in how Lennon and McCartney together created something far greater than the sum of either alone.
Their friendly rivalry, complementary strengths and shared ambition pushed them to heights they may not have reached independently.
So whether you lean toward Lennon’s world or McCartney’s — celebrate what draws you in. And if sometimes you enjoy both (which most fans do) — that’s perfect. Enjoy the spectrum.
Pick your side, but hold the handshake.