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Lennon or McCartney? Richard Bruton's choice might surprise you...

“Paul, obviously, was a good man for writing the songs…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF9hPNiUkzo

(Youtube: Daragh Brophy)

CHANCES ARE YOU’VE never wondered — but if you did, it’s likely you would have had the Enterprise Minister pegged for a Paul fan. Turns out, though, Richard Bruton prefers the Beatles’ “edgier stuff”.

Alright, as you might imagine — that’s not a phrase he actually used this afternoon. In keeping with his track record in answering questions on any subject, Bruton was a little more considered:

“If it’s only one, I’ll go for John Lennon. Paul, obviously, was a good man for writing the songs, but I think John brought a little bit of grit to the band and that was a huge element in its success.”

Why was TheJournal.ie even asking such a pat question, you wonder?

Well, we could argue that he brought it up: Fine Gael had organised a referendum campaign photo-op with two tribute musicians to make the point that the last time the Seanad delayed a bill, the Liverpool four-piece were having their first US number one.

Wicklow TD Simon Harris was also on hand to deliver some soundbites: addressing the subject in his guise as the ‘world’s youngest politician,’ the deputy sent the assembled reporters scrambling for their calculators as he pointed out that “the last time the Seanad stopped any legislation for any period of time was 22 years before my birth*”.

Full doorstep with Bruton and Harris: Beatles comments at 5m 20s (Youtube: Daragh Brophy)

*He’s 26.

Read: Bruton: I haven’t been asked to take part in

Read: Jimi Hendrix asked Paul McCartney to come out and play… via telegram

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28 Comments
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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Sep 29th 2013, 5:37 PM

    But the fact that the Seanad just exists, means that dodgy bills have virtually no chance of being passed. The Dáil knows that bills have to be good to go, before they reach the Seanad, or they will be blocked. It’s an effective screening process, that would be removed by voting yes.

    That may be the last time the Seanad delayed a bill, but amendments are continuously being made. It’s also just as much of an argument for reform as it is for abolition.

    35
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    Mute Patrick O' Brien
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    Sep 29th 2013, 9:46 PM

    The Seanad has no power to stop a bill, they can delay a bill, or refer it to the President, but they don’t have, or ever had the power to stop a bill…

    7
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    Mute Andres Mijarez
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    Sep 30th 2013, 11:34 AM

    But they can annoy the shite out of enda if they dont like one which soothes me

    3
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    Mute alan
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    Sep 29th 2013, 5:29 PM

    I Feel Fine Gael

    34
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    Mute Michael G O'Reilly
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:51 PM

    If those two are advising a yes the only sensible thing to do is vote NO !

    21
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    Mute Symbolism
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:01 PM

    This is the height of FG’s campaign to abolish the Seanad. No wonder when the dear Leader won’t debate the issue.

    19
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    Mute Martin
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    Sep 29th 2013, 5:18 PM

    Maybe fg should start a tribute band and call it the dung Beatles

    19
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    Mute Jean Paul Valley
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:15 PM

    I wonder is there a name for the psychosis that afflicts many journal readers.

    Where you are obsessed by the government and are convinced that the government maliciously go out of their way to cause you individual harm.

    24
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Sep 29th 2013, 7:00 PM

    JP, some would call it “Reality”. But only some.

    12
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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Sep 29th 2013, 11:57 PM

    They do Jean, they do want to hurt us- they see us as the plankton for the rich to gobble up by the bucket load. FG think they and the rich are entitled to everything and everybody else is there to serve them – and by helping the rich it will somehow benefit everybody else.
    These are the thatcherite policies they believe in, and theyre too stupid to see they do not work

    3
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    Mute Philip
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:29 PM

    You wonder what does Richard think about rubbing shoulders and actually having to walk around the streets of Dublin

    16
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    Mute Martin
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    Sep 29th 2013, 5:26 PM

    They could have some great hits
    She loves me ya ya ya. Kenny about merkal
    We all live in with a yellow little leader
    any more?????)

    12
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    Mute Symbolism
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:19 PM

    Bruton is beginning to look like a homeless man on Grafton Street. And soon he won’t even be able to get into the Seanad.

    11
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    Mute Proinsias
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    Sep 29th 2013, 5:55 PM

    I never liked the beatles over hyped.Elvis was miles ahead of them,every time I hear Mc Cartney doing a concert he tortures that Hey Jude song.

    8
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    Mute Denise Friary
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:01 PM

    Proinsias, I disagree Mc Cartney is a great singer and songwriter seen him live in London and he is fantastic.

    16
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Sep 29th 2013, 6:59 PM

    Elvis and over-hyped are perfect companions in any sentence. Could not stand the man. Having said that, McCartney should now quit singing. He’s quite embarrassing at times. Sgt Pepper’s ……… Was one of the greatest albums of all time.

    15
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    Mute Johnny O Connor
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    Sep 29th 2013, 10:42 PM

    Your joking, right?

    1
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    Mute Hippocrateeth
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    Sep 29th 2013, 9:15 PM

    All you dudes who want a hot tip best go onto YouTube right now and type in Paul mc cartney New. New song by him and produced by mark ronson who gives it a class kick up the hole.

    If you don’t like it come back and give me a thumbs down baby, let the votes count. Enjoy

    3
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    Mute Patrick
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    Sep 29th 2013, 11:30 PM

    Most people here wouldn’t know Mark Ronson.

    1
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    Mute Hedley Lamarr
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    Sep 30th 2013, 12:13 AM

    Stop me if you heard this one before , But Did he invent the cigarette lighter, P.

    2
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    Mute Oisín Ó Dubhláin
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    Sep 29th 2013, 11:13 PM

    Are Fine Gael or Bruton paying for these rubbish puff pieces? If not you are missing out.

    2
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    Mute Paul English
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    Sep 29th 2013, 11:05 PM

    If people bothered to check they’d see that McCartney had the much “edgier” solo career than Lennon.

    Don’t just take my word for it – here’s two CDs worth.

    Part 1
    01 Backwards Traveller
    Wings
    London Town LP (1978)

    02 Cuff Link
    Wings
    London Town LP (1978)

    03 Venus and Mars
    Wings
    Venus and Mars LP (1975)

    04 Rock Show
    Wings
    Venus and Mars LP (1975)

    05 Love Is Strange
    Wings
    Wild Life LP (1971)

    06 The Broadcast
    Wings
    Back To The Egg LP (1979)

    07 Momma Miss America
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney LP (1970)

    08 Let Me Roll It
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    Band On The Run LP (1973)

    09 Ram On
    Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
    Ram LP (1971)

    10 Loup (1st Indian On The Moon)
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    Red Rose Speedway LP (1973)

    11 Tug Of Peace
    Paul McCartney
    Pipes Of Peace LP (1983)

    12 Monkberry Moon Delight
    Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
    Ram LP (1971)

    13 Ou Est Le Soleil
    Paul McCartney
    Flowers In The Dirt CD (1989)

    14 Morse Moose and The Grey Goose
    Wings
    London Town LP (1978)

    15 Frozen Jap
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney II LP (1980)

    16 Dress Me Up As A Robber
    Paul McCartney
    Tug Of War LP (1982)

    17 Temporary Secretary
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney II LP (1980)

    18 Secret Friend
    Paul McCartney
    B-Side Temporary Secretary 12” (1980)

    19 One Of These Days
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney II LP (1980)

    20 The Back Seat Of My Car
    Percy Thrillington
    Thrillington LP (1977)

    Part 2
    01 Reception
    Wings
    Back To The Egg LP (1979)

    02 Getting Closer
    Wings
    Back To The Egg LP (1979)

    03 Too Many People
    Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
    Ram LP (1971)

    04 Junk
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney LP (1970)

    05 Dear Friend
    Wings
    Wild Life LP (1971)

    06 Ram On
    Percy Thrillington
    Thrillington LP (1977)

    07 Zoo Gang
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    B-Side Band On The Run 7” (1974)

    08 Old Siam, Sir
    Wings
    Back To The Egg LP (1979)

    09 Beware My Love
    Wings
    Wings At The Speed Of Sound LP (1976)

    10 Get On The Right Thing
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    Red Rose Speedway LP (1973)

    11 Dear Boy
    Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
    Ram LP (1971)

    12 Lunch Box / Odd Sox
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    B-Side Coming Up 7” (1980)

    13 Front Parlour
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney II LP (1980)

    14 Check My Machine
    Paul McCartney
    B-Side Waterfalls 7” (1980)

    15 What’s That You’re Doing?
    Paul McCartney
    Tug Of War LP (1982)

    16 However Absurd
    Paul McCartney
    Press To Play LP (1986)

    17 Summer’s Day Song
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney II LP (1980)

    18 Maybe I’m Amazed
    Paul McCartney
    McCartney LP (1970)

    19 Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five
    Paul McCartney and Wings
    Band On The Run LP (1973)

    20 The Back Seat Of My Car
    Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
    Ram LP (1971)

    2
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    Mute Patrick
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    Sep 29th 2013, 9:17 PM

    If I see him I will shout BOOO loudly.

    1
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    Mute Mary Cull
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    Nov 6th 2013, 9:43 PM

    Paul has lost his singing voice. Heard him sing live last year. He should quit.
    Are those bodies for real ?

    1
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    Mute Patrick
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    Sep 29th 2013, 9:15 PM

    dark side of the moon is the best album of all time.

    1
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    Mute Jono Lennon
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    Sep 29th 2013, 10:56 PM

    I think you might find that the best selling album is Thriller by Michael Jackson

    1
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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Sep 30th 2013, 12:01 AM

    it might be the best selling album, and its a fine album, but is Thriller the BeSt album???
    Those one direction simon cowell puppets sell a shed load of albums too, but is their music any good???

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    Mute Jono Lennon
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    Sep 30th 2013, 2:17 AM

    I only meant selling as in album sales

    1
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