[jwh_Denver]

I'm a Beatles fan, actually, but I would never compare McCartney with Mozart, especially if I didn't know what Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote.

Comparisons are a relative thing. I didn't say McCartney was better than Mozart and I know you know that. Even today Mozart lives in the music that he wrote that is still great today. Not all but some. Same with Paul. Sure he wrote some dogs**t but in the overall scheme he wrote some very beautiful songs with lyrics. Sometimes lyrics can be the hardest thing to write.

You make a good point with Rogers & Hammerstein but at the same time I think since I know so very little of their stuff how could I say they were the Mozart's of the last century? If the music was that good wouldn't I know at least some of it?

I'm not looking for anything at this point but opinions because the answer won't be answered for another couple hundreds years.

[Jeff Chandler]

I'm afraid you're allowing your enthusiasm for McCartney to cloud your judgment. Lennon and McCartney were a very talented songwriting team-the best in their genre, exerting great influence on the pop music industry, but they're not in the same league as Mozart, not even close. Mozart was a genius whose influence on music will be felt forever. A hundred years from now the Beatles will be no more than an interesting footnote.

Go to your local college, university, conservatory, etc., and ask a musicologist, and he will tell you the same.

[Jeff Chandler]

>>Sometimes lyrics can be the hardest thing to write. <<

If you have an appreciation for lyrics, go rent some Rodgers and Hammerstein movies. They aren't considered cool, so you have to have an open mind for music written in a more innocent age. And don't rent Oklahoma until you've seen more of their work-too sweet for a novice!

Try The Sound of Music, South Pacific, The King and I, Cinderella. Again, it ain't cool, but it's the stuff lyric writing courses refer to.

Just a few:


Some Enchanted Evening

Bali Ha'i

There Is Nothin' Like A Dame

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair

I Whistle a Happy Tune

Shall We Dance?

Getting To Know You

Hello, Young Lovers

We Kiss In A Shadow

No Other Love

I Enjoy Being A Girl

Love Look Away

The Sound of Music

My Favorite Things

Edelweiss

Do-Re-Mi