Paul is the greater pure songwriter and performer...
But John gets my vote because his music was far more introspective, far more about his own personal growth and soul searching. His music was raw, confessional, and came out of the core of him.
That elevates his work to a higher realm of art.
That, and the fact that he used his significant fame and cash to creatively agitate against the Vietnam war.
War is Over
if you want it.
As an artist, and as a contributing member of his community, and for his responsible use of his access to media to hasten the end of an idiotic war, John is my choice.
Too bad we did have his like these eight years past.
Imagine
how Lennon would have reacted to this current idiocy in Iraq.