Please consider registering
Guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
Best Singer
24 May 2012
6.39pm
GeorgeTSimpson
Vienna, Austria
Paris Olympia
Members
Forum Posts: 343
Member Since:
12 April 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Who do you think is the best Beatles’ singer? I’d say Paul, but also sings very well sometimes and in a few rock songs John’s voice isn’t so bad, too. I just don’t like ringo’s voice.

Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby

24 May 2012
7.59pm
Avatar
meanmistermustard
Thankfully not where I am.
Moderator
Members

Reviewers


Moderators
Forum Posts: 24950
Member Since:
1 May 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I was tempted to say depends on the song but that would be wrong.

All the beatles could sing very well including Ringo, he had a more limited range but as long as he stayed within it he is fine.

Personally i like all of them and it would be impossible to select one (What Goes On is one of my favourite beatles songs). John, Paul and George’s vocals blended really well together be it 3 lead vocals (Nowhere Man , This Boy , Because ) , 1 lead vocal + Harmonies (Here, There & Everywhere) or whatever. Pauls vocal support to Ringo on Act Naturally is a highlight of Help !

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

25 May 2012
3.28pm
Avatar
I Me Mine
Under the sea, in a Yellow Submarine
London Palladium
Members
Forum Posts: 175
Member Since:
15 June 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I believe Paul had the greatest vocal ability and it can be seen on every Beatles album. Though John didn’t have a bad voice at all…

Sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble.

25 May 2012
7.52pm
Ben Ramon
Carnegie Hall
Members
Forum Posts: 613
Member Since:
26 March 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paul from a technical standpoint is certainly the best singer- effortless high notes, great versatility, lovely tone, huge stamina (I’ve never seen a single example of him struggling vocally live, which is impressive considering his tendency to write songs with high vocal lines). However I’d argue John’s voice has more “character” and he was certainly an awesome singer in his own right. George Martin expressed a similar distinction between the two when he was deciding who should be the lead singer.

I’ll also use this thread as an excuse to plug a YouTube video I made showcasing Paul’s (vast) vocal range. Read the video description beneath the video to see what each note is and which song it’s from. 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..ZFGcUU9pY4

The following people thank Ben Ramon for this post:

Beatlebug

SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'

14 June 2012
2.13pm
Avatar
fabfouremily
Sitting in an English garden
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 2929
Member Since:
3 May 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

There’s no mention of Geroge on here, lets not forget him. He wasn’t exactly what you would call a bad singer, either.a-hard-days-night-george-8a-hard-days-night-george-10

Moving along in our God given ways, safety is sat by the fire/Sanctuary from these feverish smiles, left with a mark on the door.

(Passover - I. Curtis)

14 June 2012
4.14pm
GeorgeTSimpson
Vienna, Austria
Paris Olympia
Members
Forum Posts: 343
Member Since:
12 April 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I wrote “and also sings sometimes very well”, there I meant george i just forgot to write his name. Anyway one thing I did never understand, in the beginning paul was the dominating singer (decca, live at star club), then john from please please onwards and then paul again from revolver-Sgt. Pepper until the end

Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby

14 June 2012
4.37pm
Avatar
meanmistermustard
Thankfully not where I am.
Moderator
Members

Reviewers


Moderators
Forum Posts: 24950
Member Since:
1 May 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paul wasnt the dominant singer, John sang a heck of a lot, would probably be roughly equal if not a little more John.

Brian chose the decca material, no idea why Paul sang more than John, probably simply down to Paul being the lead vocalist on the majority of songs Brian thought would be pleasing, ie Brian looked at the songs not the singer.

The Star Clubs tapes which are available to listen to are not complete shows, its just what we have so far, not that ive thought who sings what. In Germany there wasnt any structure, it was more what mood they were in, who was in the audience, were there potential customers looking in, and whatever came to mind at that moment. Even in December ’62 when Brian was in charge they returned to their old ways of shouting to/at the audience back at the Star Club and doing whatever they felt like albeit a bit more polished. I think they now got breaks every 2 hours – or it was a 2 hour performance.

 

John took the lead vocals in ’58 when they sang That’ll Be The Day and In Spite Of All The Danger & when they got the opportunity to record a couple of songs in Germany at the Tony Sheridan sessions John sang Aint She Sweet with the other being an instrumental. Were the 1960 liverpool demos roughly equal between John and Paul?

 

Overall i doubt either cared who sang how many as they were playing for the enjoyment, it was only later that it became an issue with John noticing that Paul was getting the a-sides.

 

I really should be doing work.

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

14 June 2012
5.03pm
GeorgeTSimpson
Vienna, Austria
Paris Olympia
Members
Forum Posts: 343
Member Since:
12 April 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paul sang most songs on Sgt. Pepper , Magical Mystery Tour , White Album and Abbey Road . Oddly john sang more songs on let it be though paul wrote more songs. Yellow Submarine doesn’t really count for me

Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby

14 June 2012
5.27pm
Avatar
Inner Light
Friar Park
Carnegie Hall
Members
Forum Posts: 531
Member Since:
20 December 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I think that McCartney had the best all around vocal range. He could sing rockers and ballads.

I think Lennon had the most unique voice which lended itself to some very unique songs.

I think Harrison had the most emotional, sensitive voice. He was able to sing in a very heartfelt way

The following people thank Inner Light for this post:

Beatlebug

The further one travels, the less one knows

15 June 2012
3.23am
Avatar
Into the Sky with Diamonds
New York
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 1979
Member Since:
10 August 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Ben Ramon, that is an AWESOME video clip you put together.

When people discuss the best rock singers, Paul’s vocal range doesn’t get enough ink.

Your video says it all.

(I have to listen to it again, but doesn’t Paul go even higher on “Baby’s In Black ” than the segment you have?)

"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)

15 June 2012
4.43am
Avatar
kedame
Miles above you
Carnegie Hall
Members
Forum Posts: 522
Member Since:
23 January 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Ben Ramon, I agree with your assessment the most. Paul is better technically. John is more unique. The warmth in Paul’s voice, I think, is what keeps me coming back for more. However, I have to disagree about Paul never struggling vocally live. He has had some trouble in the recent past. He sometimes struggles to hit the high notes in a few of his big numbers (see the Jubilee performance), but I don’t think it is as bad as some people have said. People on his own message board are ready to take away the keys to his tour bus because they think his live performing voice is completely shot. I think that is patently untrue. Who doesn’t have a few off nights?

"You can manicure a cat but can you caticure a man?"

John Lennon- Skywriting by Word of Mouth

15 June 2012
1.11pm
Ben Ramon
Carnegie Hall
Members
Forum Posts: 613
Member Since:
26 March 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

ISTWD- thanks very much, it took a lot of time to put that together and I appreciate your comments. That top A is the highest Paul sings in Baby’s In Black , he has about a million more of those A4s in other songs but I chose that one particularly for its brightness and ease, same reason I put the ones from Wanderlust, My Love etc.

SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'

22 June 2012
6.20pm
The Beatles bassist
Norway
Abbey Road
Members
Forum Posts: 104
Member Since:
18 December 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Single vocal: Paul (technically the best, greatest vocal range)

Harmonies: John, Paul & George (blends perfectly, but if Ringo sings he will stick out easily as you can hear in the chorus to “Carry That Weight “, not saying his bad though)

"Real music is made by real people playing real instruments using own creativity and skills."

23 June 2012
8.43pm
Avatar
Long John Silver
Paris Olympia
Members
Forum Posts: 364
Member Since:
9 May 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

meanmistermustard said
I was tempted to say depends on the song but that would be wrong.

 

That is actually the best answer to this question. 

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.

19 February 2016
5.27pm
Avatar
Derek_Francis
London Palladium
Members
Forum Posts: 119
Member Since:
20 January 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

None of the Beatles are amazing singers, looking at technical ability alone.  They have rather average voices, but they all manage to pack as much personality and heart in them as possible.

I’d probably say John was the best.  He was incredibly versatile, distinct and conveys the widest range of emotions.  He do soft melancholic songs but also punchy energetic songs.  I’d put George 2nd because he has the most soul of the four.

The following people thank Derek_Francis for this post:

Beatlebug, KaleidoscopeMusic
19 February 2016
8.11pm
Avatar
Beatlebug
Find me where ye echo lays
Moderator

Moderators
Forum Posts: 18181
Member Since:
15 February 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I will just have to echo what Inner Light said– 

I think that McCartney had the best all around vocal range. He could sing rockers and ballads.

I think Lennon had the most unique voice which lended itself to some very unique songs.

I think Harrison had the most emotional, sensitive voice. He was able to sing in a very heartfelt way

Indeed. From a technical point of view, Paul is the best singer in my opinion, with his great range, versatility, and overall awesome pipes– I believe we’ve established his vocal prowess so I shan’t go on. a-hard-days-night-john-6

John had an incredibly forceful character, which showed up on anything he ever so much as breathed on *coughGirlcough*. a-hard-days-night-george-10 And by forceful I don’t mean aggressive, I mean it was very recognisable and present. The John-ness shines through. 

And George… he’s a much better singer than he gets credit for, in my opinion; not as strong or versatile as Lennon or McCartney by a long shot, but he certainly had character, perhaps not as forceful as John’s but just as unique or more. And in my humble opinion his singing carried the most soul with it, perhaps because of his technical limitations, you really feel like he’s making a great effort just to sing this and it can be very moving. 

Me luvs me Georgie a-hard-days-night-george-9 heart 

Ooops, I was on my way to Ringo and that rascal of a Harrison distracted me. (I find George verrrry distracting.) 

Fiendish_Thingy_effect.jpgImage Enlarger

Ah yes, Ringo. While I don’t feel I honestly can make a case for him as the Fabs’ best singer, he certainly could carry a tune, as John said, and carry it well– whilst drumming too! No mean feat, as I understand. And there’s just something endearing about Ringo’s voice. But that could be said for all the rest of Ringo too. a-hard-days-night-ringo-10

The following people thank Beatlebug for this post:

pepperland

([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
If you love The Beatles Bible, and you have adblock, don't forget to white-list this site!
whiteheart.png
avatar_creative_signature_Hmm.pngStarSpangledBanner.png

19 February 2016
8.35pm
Avatar
Ron Nasty
Apple rooftop
Members

Reviewers
Forum Posts: 12534
Member Since:
17 December 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paul is my third favourite vocalist of the ’60s, and my second favourite of The Beatles.

For me, Paul’s flaw is in doing cover versions. Too often, Paul sounds like he’s doing an impersonation of the original, whereas John is able to take someone else’s words and totally own them. It’s not a big difference between the two, but – for me – John has the edge because of that ability to inhabit words he didn’t write.

The following people thank Ron Nasty for this post:

pepperland, Beatlebug, KaleidoscopeMusic

"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty

To @ Ron Nasty it's @ mja6758
The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966

Forum Timezone: Europe/London
Most Users Ever Online: 700
Currently Online: Richard
Guest(s) 1
Top Posters:
Starr Shine?: 16105
Ron Nasty: 12534
Zig: 9832
50yearslate: 8759
Necko: 8043
AppleScruffJunior: 7583
parlance: 7111
mr. Sun king coming together: 6402
Mr. Kite: 6147
trcanberra: 6064
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 88
Members: 2859
Moderators: 5
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 3
Forums: 44
Topics: 5509
Posts: 380341
Newest Members:
frankc, viv@nelsontraining.co.uk, bornhairyman, frankkilmore123@gmail.com, onlyanorthernsong
Moderators: Joe: 5691, meanmistermustard: 24950, Ahhh Girl: 22213, Beatlebug: 18181, The Hole Got Fixed: 8410
Administrators: Joe: 5691