Answers to the question who composed and sung each Beatles' song

by Per Myrsten

From the very beginnings of the Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon decided to publish their songs under both their names. So all their songs bear the cooperative hallmark "Lennon / McCartney". But, some songs were more Lennon's work, while others more exclusively show the hand of McCartney. Here's a list of all songs officially recorded by the Beatles, where you can see who is the main composer of each and every song they recorded. You can also see who sung the songs.

1 Please Please Me 1963

Song Main composer Singer

Love Me Do McCartney Lennon / McCartney

P.S. I Love You McCartney McCartney

Please Please Me Lennon Lennon / McCartney

Ask Me Why Lennon Lennon

There's A Place Lennon Lennon

I Saw Her Standing There McCartney McCartney

Do You Want To Know A Secret Lennon Harrison

Misery Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

A Taste Of Honey Scott / Marlow McCartney

Anna (Go To Him) Alexander Lennon

Boys Dixon / Farrell Starr

Chains Goffin / King Harrison

Baby It's You David / Williams / Bacharach Lennon

Twist And Shout Medley / Russel Lennon

Total (8 / 14) Lennon: 4

McCartney: 3

Lennon / McCartney: 1 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 2

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 3

2 With The Beatles 1963

Song Main composer Singer

Hold Me Tight McCartney McCartney

It Won't Be Long Lennon Lennon

All My Loving McCartney McCartney

I Wanna Be Your Man Lennon / McCartney Starr

Little Child Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

All I've Got To Do Lennon Lennon

Not A Second Time Lennon Lennon

Don't Bother Me Harrison Harrison

Roll Over Beethoven Berry Harrison

You Really Got A Hold On Me Robinson Lennon / Harrison

Money (That's What I Want) Bradford / Gordy Lennon

Devil In Her Heart Drapkin Harrison

Till There Was You Wilson McCartney

Please Mr Postman Holland / Bateman / Garrett / Dobbins / Gorman Lennon

Total (8 / 14) Lennon: 3

McCartney: 2

Harrison: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 2 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 3

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 1

Lennon / Harrison: 1

3 Long Tall Sally 1964

Song Main composer Singer

Long Tall Sally Johnson / Penniman / Blackwell McCartney

I Call Your Name Lennon Lennon

Matchbox Perkins Starr

Slow Down Williams Lennon

Total (1 / 4) Lennon: 1 Lennon: 2

McCartney: 1

Starr: 1

4 A Hard Day's Night 1964

Song Main composer Singer

Can't Buy Me Love McCartney McCartney

You Can't Do That Lennon Lennon

And I Love Her McCartney McCartney

I Should Have Known Better Lennon Lennon

Tell Me Why Lennon Lennon

If I Fell Lennon Lennon / McCartney

I'm Happy Just To Dance With You Lennon Harrison

A Hard Day's Night Lennon Lennon / McCartney

I'll Cry Instead Lennon Lennon

I'll Be Back Lennon Lennon

Any Time At All Lennon Lennon

Things We Said Today McCartney McCartney

When I Get Home Lennon Lennon

Total (13 / 13) Lennon: 10

McCartney: 3 Lennon: 7

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 2

5 Beatles For Sale 1964

Song Main composer Singer

Baby's In Black Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

I'm A Loser Lennon Lennon

Every Little Thing Unclear (Lennon or McCartney) Lennon

I Don't Want To Spoil The Party Lennon Lennon / Harrison

What You're Doing McCartney McCartney

No Reply Lennon Lennon

Eight Days A Week McCartney Lennon / McCartney

I'll Follow The Sun McCartney McCartney

Mr Moonlight Johnson Lennon

Kansas City / Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey Leiber / Stoller / Penniman McCartney

Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby Perkins Harrison

Rock And Roll Music Berry Lennon

Words Of Love Holly Lennon / McCartney

Honey Don't Perkins Starr

Total (7 / 14) Lennon: 3

McCartney: 3

Lennon / McCartney: 1 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 1

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 3

Lennon / Harrison: 1

6 Help! 1965

Song Main composer Singer

Ticket To Ride Lennon Lennon

Another Girl McCartney McCartney

I Need You Harrison Harrison

The Night Before McCartney McCartney

You Like Me Too Much Harrison Harrison

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away Lennon Lennon

Tell Me What You See McCartney McCartney

You're Going To Lose That Girl Lennon Lennon

Help! Lennon Lennon

I've Just Seen A Face McCartney McCartney

Yesterday McCartney McCartney

It's Only Love Lennon Lennon

Dizzy Miss Lizzy Williams Lennon

Act Naturally Morrison / Russel Starr

Total (12 / 14) Lennon: 5

McCartney: 5

Harrison: 2 Lennon: 6

McCartney: 5

Harrison: 2

Starr: 1

7 Rubber Soul 1965

Song Main composer Singer

Wait Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Run For Your Life Lennon Lennon

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) Lennon Lennon

Drive My Car McCartney Lennon / McCartney

If I Need Someone Harrison Harrison

In My Life Lennon / McCartney Lennon

Nowhere Man Lennon Lennon

I'm Looking Through You McCartney McCartney

Michelle McCartney McCartney

What Goes On Lennon / McCartney Starr

Think For Yourself Harrison Harrison

The Word Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

You Won't See Me McCartney McCartney

Girl Lennon Lennon

Total (14 / 14) Lennon: 4

McCartney: 4

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 4 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 2

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney:3

8 Revolver 1966

Song Main composer Singer

Tomorrow Never Knows Lennon Lennon

Got To Get You Into My Life McCartney McCartney

Love You To Harrison Harrison

Doctor Robert Lennon Lennon

And Your Bird Can Sing Lennon Lennon

Taxman Harrison Harrison

I'm Only Sleeping Lennon Lennon

Eleanor Rigby McCartney McCartney

For No One McCartney McCartney

Yellow Submarine McCartney Starr

I Want To Tell You Harrison Harrison

Good Day Sunshine McCartney McCartney

Here, There And Everywhere McCartney McCartney

She Said She Said Lennon Lennon

Total (14 / 14) Lennon: 5

McCartney: 6

Harrison: 3 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 5

Harrison: 3

Starr: 1

9 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967

Song Main composer Singer

When I'm Sixty-Four McCartney McCartney

A Day In The Life Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band McCartney McCartney

Good Morning Good Morning Lennon Lennon

Fixing A Hole McCartney McCartney

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite Lennon Lennon

Lovely Rita McCartney McCartney

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Lennon Lennon

Getting Better McCartney McCartney

Within You Without You Harrison Harrison

She's Leaving Home McCartney McCartney

With A Little Help From My Friends McCartney Starr

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) McCartney Lennon / McCartney / Harrison / Starr

Total (13 / 13) Lennon: 3

McCartney: 8

Harrison: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 1 Lennon: 3

McCartney: 6

Harrison: 1

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney: 1

Lennon / McCartney / Harrison / Starr: 1

10 Magical Mystery Tour 1967

Song Main composer Singer

Magical Mystery Tour McCartney McCartney

Your Mother Should Know McCartney McCartney

Blue Jay Way Harrison Harrison

Flying Harrison / Lennon / McCartney / Starkey Harrison / Lennon / McCartney / Starr

The Fool On The Hill McCartney McCartney

I Am The Walrus Lennon Lennon

Total (6 / 6) Lennon: 1

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 1

Harrison / Lennon / McCartney / Starkey: 1 Lennon: 1

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 1

Harrison / Lennon / McCartney / Starr: 1

11 The Beatles 1968

Song Main composer Singer

Revolution Lennon Lennon

Don't Pass Me By Starkey Starr

Revolution #9 Lennon "Instrumental"

Blackbird McCartney McCartney

Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey Lennon Lennon

Good Night Lennon Starr

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da McCartney McCartney

Cry Baby Cry Lennon Lennon

Helter Skelter McCartney McCartney

Sexy Sadie Lennon Lennon

While My Guitar Gently Weeps Harrison Harrison

Mother Nature's Son McCartney McCartney

Yer Blues Lennon Lennon

Rocky Raccoon McCartney McCartney

Wild Honey Pie McCartney McCartney

Back In The USSR McCartney McCartney

Dear Prudence Lennon Lennon

Glass Onion Lennon Lennon

I Will McCartney McCartney

Birthday McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Piggies Harrison Harrison

Happiness Is A Warm Gun Lennon Lennon

Honey Pie McCartney McCartney

Savoy Truffle Harrison Harrison

Martha My Dear McCartney McCartney

Long Long Long Harrison Harrison

I'm So Tired Lennon Lennon

The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill Lennon Lennon

Why Don't We Do It In The Road? McCartney McCartney

Julia Lennon Lennon

Total (30 / 29) Lennon: 13

McCartney:12

Harrison: 4

Starkey: 1 Lennon: 11

McCartney: 11

Harrison: 4

Starr: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 1

12 Yellow Submarine 1969

Song Main composer Singer

Yellow Submarine McCartney Starr

Only A Northern Song Harrison Harrison

All Together Now McCartney McCartney

It's All Too Much Harrison Harrison

All You Need Is Love Lennon Lennon

Hey Bulldog Lennon / McCartney Lennon

Total (6 / 6) Lennon: 1

McCartney: 2

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 1 Lennon: 2

McCartney: 1

Harrison: 2

Starr: 1

13 Abbey Road 1969

Song Main composer Singer

I Want You (She's So Heavy) Lennon Lennon

Something Harrison Harrison

Oh! Darling McCartney McCartney

Octopus's Garden Starkey Starr

You Never Give Me Your Money McCartney McCartney

Her Majesty McCartney McCartney

Golden Slumbers McCartney McCartney

Carry That Weight McCartney McCartney

Here Comes The Sun Harrison Harrison

Maxwell's Silver Hammer McCartney McCartney

Come Together Lennon Lennon

The End McCartney McCartney

Sun King Lennon Lennon

Mean Mr Mustard Lennon Lennon

Polythene Pam Lennon Lennon

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window McCartney McCartney

Because Lennon Lennon / McCartney / Harrison

Total (17 / 17) Lennon: 6

McCartney: 8

Harrison: 2

Starkey: 1 Lennon: 5

McCartney: 8

Harrison: 2

Starr: 1

Lennon / McCartney / Harrison: 1

14 Let It Be 1970

Song Main composer Singer

Across The Universe Lennon Lennon

Dig A Pony Lennon Lennon

I've Got A Feeling Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Get Back McCartney McCartney

Two Of Us McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Maggie Mae Trad. arr. Lennon / McCartney

Dig It Lennon Lennon

For You Blue Harrison Harrison

Let It Be McCartney McCartney

The Long And Winding Road McCartney McCartney

One After 909 Lennon Lennon / McCartney

I Me Mine Harrison Harrison

Total (11 / 12) Lennon: 4

McCartney: 4

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 1 Lennon: 3

McCartney: 3

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 4

15 Songs not released on LP

Song Main composer Singer

From Me To You, 1963 Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

Thank You Girl, 1963 Lennon / McCartney Lennon

She Loves You, 1963 Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

I'll Get You, 1963 Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

I Want To Hold Your Hand, 1963 Lennon / McCartney Lennon / McCartney

This Boy, 1963 Lennon Lennon / McCartney / Harrison

She's A Woman, 1964 McCartney McCartney

I Feel Fine, 1964 Lennon Lennon

Yes It Is, 1965 Lennon Lennon

I'm Down, 1965 McCartney McCartney

Day Tripper, 1965 Lennon Lennon / McCartney

We Can Work It Out, 1965 Lennon / McCartney McCartney

Paperback Writer, 1966 McCartney McCartney

Rain, 1966 Lennon Lennon

Strawberry Fields Forever, 1967 Lennon Lennon

Penny Lane, 1967 McCartney McCartney

Baby, You're A Rich Man, 1967 Lennon Lennon / McCartney

Hello, Goodbye, 1967 McCartney McCartney

The Inner Light, 1968 Harrison Harrison

Lady Madonna, 1968 McCartney McCartney

Hey Jude, 1968 McCartney McCartney

Don't Let Me Down, 1969 Lennon Lennon

The Ballad Of John And Yoko, 1969 Lennon Lennon

Old Brown Shoe, 1969 Harrison Harrison

You Know My Name (Look Up The Number), 1970 Lennon Lennon / McCartney / Starr

Total (25 / 25) Lennon: 10

McCartney: 7

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 6 Lennon: 7

McCartney: 8

Harrison: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 6

Lennon / McCartney / Harrison: 1

Lennon / McCartney / Starr: 1

16 All Songs Total

Main composer Singer

Total (183) Lennon: 73

McCartney: 69

Harrison: 22

Starkey: 2

Lennon / McCartney: 17 Lennon: 72

McCartney: 66

Harrison: 28

Starr: 11

Lennon / McCartney: 24

One song recorded by the Beatles isn't in this list. It is Bad Boy, written by Williams, from the LP A Collection of Beatles Oldies. It was sung by Lennon and is included in the total statistics above. Yellow Submarine is only counted once, even if it appears on two albums. Free As A Bird from 1995 and Real Love from 1996 are both Lennon compositions. They are not included in the statistics. The order of the songs in the list is the same as they were recorded in.

This document was originally published on Per Myrsten's web site Penny Lane.