After reading that great book on Lennon by Tim Riley I started to really look into Lennon's music much more. Some of the music he wrote after the Beatles was also great. The thing I got from that book was the combination of Lennon and McCartney that had a certain magic. Lennon's music on his own was a little more serious or something but McCartney on his own seems not as good in comparison. Almost cheesy like. It was the union of the two that seemed to really form the Beatles sound. But Lennon still was the driving force behind the Beatles sound.

 
I read this book as well, Jeff and I pretty much agree with that.  They both fed off each other and drove each other through competition.  Paul had his moments, you could make the case for Helter Skelter as one of the original metal songs...pretty much a McCartnery composition.  John had his tender moments as well.  Paul has always been much more on the sappy site, hence, "Silly Love Songs."  Lennon, though, pretty much checked out somewhere in the midst of the White Album with his addictions to heroin.  If it wasn't for Paul becoming the driving force at that point, we may not have the last 3 Beatles LP's.  I think George suprised them both by the time they cut Abbey Road.

Not really. I agree that Sting has written a lot of great pop music but he has also written some wonderful serious music too. And while we are talking about great composers how about some of the greats in the film world like Hans Zimmer for example. Don't see McCartney quite in that league.  What about Frank Zappa, he was pretty good as well.
 
Oh and what about one of the greatest composers of our modern time. Chick Corea. Is McCartney writing as well as Chick. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
 
The more you think about it the more ridiculuos the OP seems to be IMO.

Stings out of his league compared to either Lennon or McCartney.

I'm just going to go with... No.

craigb
I'm just going to go with... No.

Economical. I like that.

George and John are now the decomposers in the group.

craigb
George and John are now the decomposers in the group.

Now that is some serious Unfunny if I ever read it.

I do loves me some Macca. But even if you count only "melodies" as composition...which he is very good at creating...he's still an also ran. A top tier songwriter to be sure, but eclipsed by many much better and more consistent tunesmiths. Even some of Paul's biggest hits have fairly weak lyrics. But he'll be remembered as a giant...as he should be. But personally he's not even in my top ten. YMMV.

"craigb
George and John are now the decomposers in the group.

Now that is some serious Unfunny if I ever read it."


All Things Must Pass.........................gas.