Fair enough, Jim
I just find Lennon not up to par in a consistent way with the others lyrically. But to each their own, the guy is still a giant, no question.
Popular songs and pop idiom are also not the same thing. I think a lot of people miss that distinction. Pop is like this catchy, melodic, hook based style that can be done in any kind genre of music - the stars, U2, the smiths... all pop, lots of underground pop, too.
Have we mentioned Nick Drake yet?
J