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6.39pm
12 April 2012
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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
7.59pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
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)
3.28pm
15 June 2011
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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.
7.52pm
26 March 2012
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. 🙂
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BeatlebugSHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
2.13pm
3 May 2012
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.
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4.14pm
12 April 2012
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
4.37pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
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)
5.03pm
12 April 2012
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
5.27pm
20 December 2010
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
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3.23am
10 August 2011
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)
4.43am
23 January 2011
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
1.11pm
26 March 2012
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'
6.20pm
18 December 2011
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)
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8.43pm
9 May 2012
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.
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5.27pm
20 January 2016
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.
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Moderators
15 February 2015
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. 
John had an incredibly forceful character, which showed up on anything he ever so much as breathed on *coughGirlcough*. 
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 
Ooops, I was on my way to Ringo and that rascal of a Harrison distracted me. (I find George verrrry distracting.)
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. 
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8.35pm
Reviewers
17 December 2012
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.
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