Eddie Cochran's "Something Else" is one of the all-time great story-songs. It features a narrator who is deeply impressed with two things: a girl and a car. In the end, we find that he has compromised on one (the latter), but not the other. Without hitting us over the head, the song asks the listener to consider the nature of compromise - where it matters and where it doesn't. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW34W67ZYG0, and lyrics:

A look a-there, here she comes

There comes that girl again

Wanted to date her since I don't know when

But she don't notice me when I pass

She goes with all the guys from outta my class

But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself

She's sure fine lookin' man, she's something else

Hey, look a-there, across the street

There's a car made just for me

To own that car would be a luxury

But my dollar can't afford the gas

A brand new convertible is outa my class

But that can't stop me from a—thinkin' to myself

That car's fine lookin' man, it's something else

Hey, look a—here, just wait and see

Worked hard and saved my dough

I'll buy that car that I been wanting so

Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around

We'll look real sharp with the flight top down

I keep right on a-dreamin' and a-thinkin' to myself

When it all comes true man, wow, that's something else

Look a-there, what's all this

Never thought I'd do this before

But here I am a-knockin' on her door

My car's out front and it's all mine

Just a forty-one Ford, not a fifty-nine

I got that girl an' I'm a-thinkin' to myself

She's sure fine lookin' man, wow, she's something else

I mentioned yesterday that I feel that McCartney is primarily a narrative-driven songwriter, influenced by Chuck Berry and Cochran, and that Lennon was more concerned with the emotional content (from humour to despair) found in the work of Presley. Abbey Road, which contains their final work together, is a place where this divergence is pretty clear. Here's the list of the Lennon songs: "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Come Together", and "Because". And here are McCartney's: "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Oh! Darling", and the side-two medley that begins with "You Never Give Me Your Money" and ends with "The End" - with the exception of "Polythene Pam", which was Lennon's.

Lennon was influenced by Presley in terms of performing style as well. His stage demeanor - feet apart, head up high, humourous expression - is clearly an extension of Elvis'. One could do worse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU5xxh5UX4U