There are some songs that are quintessential Beatles songs. “Eight Days a Week.” “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” These are songs that were written eye-to-eye by Lennon and McCartney and in which both sing. Then there are the songs they wrote mostly alone. True, every Beatles song is credited Lennon-McCartney, but a seasoned fan can tell the difference between a John song and a Paul song.
For the best Beatles songs written by John and Paul, I will pick 10 of each here. It’s admittedly a highly subjective list. I had to whittle. I’m sure if I had to compile this list again in six months I might choose differently. So, as of this very day, here’s the toppermost of the poppermost:
Top 10 songs primarily written by John Lennon
- Across the Universe
- Strawberry Fields Forever
- All You Need Is Love
- Because
- Come Together
- Day Tripper
- Girl
- I Should Have Known Better
- I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
- Tomorrow Never Knows
Top 10 songs primarily written by Paul McCartney
- Helter Skelter
- Blackbird
- Yesterday
- Eleanor Rigby
- Get Back
- Got to Get You Into My Life
- I’m Looking Through You
- I’ve Just Seen a Face
- Let It Be
- Oh! Darling
