Paperhack Writer

Without naming the journo or the newspaper that created it, the recent list of the 50 best British songwriters separated John and Paul. George barely got a look in. In a list where, "Led Zeppelin" and "Coldplay" exist, it's annoying that the greatest songwriting team to emerge from the human race so far, gets the surgical treatment...In my opinion, that's a fairly low blow and is done only to spark debate and underline this sort of unwritten code certain journos have, John was a genius, Paul was just a pop star tat.

John was a genius. Paul is a genius.

Of course if you said that to the journo...he might come back with the usual, McCartney? a genuis?...oh yeah? ...how about the Frog Chorus then?....to which I'd have to come back with, well yeah...how ABOUT the Frog Chorus then?....Do you know a child who doesn't like it? It's part of a soundtrack for a kids cartoon. Clearly, it was never meant to be Helter Skelter was it?...It may not be my favourite Paul track, but it's a large scale piece of work nevertheless which works very succesfully for the purpose for which it was written.
It's a soft and tired target.
I admit it's difficult to come up with a top 50 anyway, but I'd argue Lennon/McCartney should have joint number one based on achievement, influence and longevity alone. It's not like he uses John's solo material to put him above Paul...no, he uses Beatles material to do that of which Paul most certainly had a big input!
So, who is in between these two giants that splits them up then?
It's Kate Bush!...now, yes she can write, boy can she write and I have enormous respect for her...but how about overall body of work?, how about extended and continued influence? It's not like she overshadows anything is it? Not seen too many Kate Bush conventions around the world recently have you? Then we come to Morrisey/Marr...again, yes, yes it's great stuff...I personally loved the Smiths....but to paraphrase Paul talking about Radiohead here; is it that great?
Certainly, this author doesn't think so...ok, it's notable and yes it's influential, but will it still be referred to in say 100 years time? I think a very long "mmmmmm...." whilst-stroking-my-chin type reaction required.
George Harrison should have made the top ten in this list simply for writing Something, which is about as complete as a song can be written in almost every measurable way - end of story.
Lists like this come along every now and then for whatever reason I simply don't know. The Beatles are always on there as they simply cannot be left out - doesn't that tell you something? They were the blue print for the modern music industry. Thirty eight years after they ceased to be, they are still at the top of the tree, top of the heap -"A" number one!

Everybody knows that right?
....nuff said...