Let's just admit it; the Beatles are overrated

[Anonymous]

i prefer the Stones, too.

[Anonymous]

American folk singers had it all over the Beatles, especially lyrically.

[Anonymous]

Also, consider the influences of Dylan, John Hiatt, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle.

Give a listen to Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett.

Find yourself a Landmine Free World concert, or a Three Girls and Their Buddy concert.

The Beatles were - and are - 'fad' music in so many ways, though I agree it was much harder then than now, to create an album.

There is so much processing these days. People were raving about Pink's performance of Over the Rainbow at the Oscars; I found it predictable.

[Anonymous]

"they're all talkin bout/beatles songs/written a hundred years before i was born"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I once heard somebody say that, compared to other pop groups of the day, they were remarkably in tune. However, I have to admit I've never got them. Their songs seem rather preachy to me, and their voices untrained and uninteresting. They seemed weak musicians to me, compared to, for example, motown groups. As a whole, I think them a stronger group of pop singers.

You mean the Motown groups that sang hit factory-produced songs?

Maybe you have to be a musician to understand the huge impact of the Beatles. But even if you're not, all you have to do is read a little cultural criticism from the sixties to see the breadth of their influence. From a historical perspective, the Beatles' stamp on that era was unparalleled. They transformed pop music, yes, but also fashion, art, politics and social mores.

Now that communications have changed so dramatically, we will never see that kind of phenomenon again.

That's just it. Their timing, delivery and mode of appearances. We have nothing like the Ed Sullivan show to speak of, and even if we did.....

When they tried to tour, the equipment capability was lacking. They could not hear themselves over the screams of the audience and were forced to stop touring, though I don't know if it would have made a difference in their popularity.

They successfully transitioned themselves as they grew personally - as much as they could. To think they were only around about 7 years, seems much longer.

Their songs seem simplistic, yet they are somewhat timeless, regardless of whether or not we actually subscribe to their sound.

I have seen Paul McCartney, and he is very worthwhile. I was prepared to be be underwhelmed, perhaps because it was only 1/4 of the original. I have also seen Ringo live. I would have liked to have seen George play live.

Those weren't the only reasons they stopped touring. They received numerous death threats and their lives on the road were miserable. They touched so many cultural nerves, Lennon especially, that they were genuinely at risk. And of course they could do much more in the studio, and did, beginning with Rubber Soul and Revolver, continuing through Abbey Road. Whatever they did, other rock musicians tried to do.

If you really doubt there relative impact, you only have to look at the first worldwide satellite broadcast in history. It took place in 1967, I think. Who was chosen for it? The Beatles, singing "All You Need is Love." And who helped provide backing vocals? The Rolling Stones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best thing that happened to their reputation is different than dying so early in life in the manner that he did.

Their front man. Sorry using voice to text.

Their front man, old what's-his-name.

[Anonymous]

John Lennon was a pretentious prick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Putting it into perspective, it is likely not that different than our grandparents telling us how wonderful Benny Goodman (or whomever) was. Although they did provide the total marketing package to a consumer group with disposable income. They also opened the door for new music genres to become mainstream in the U.S., which in turn affected our dress and had certain cultural ramifications.

Benny Goodman WAS wonderful.

Some people (not you, PP) seem to believe that the world started the year they were born.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh yeah. People will definitely be listening to Beyonce 50 years from now.


Oh, wait -- no they won't. She'll be a minor footnote in music history. Just like almost all rap and hip-hop music.

We really have no way of knowing that. And rap/hip-hop is INCREDIBLY influential in music. Most of the music today (including rock and country) was influenced by "black" music.

[Anonymous]

Disagree OP!

[Anonymous]

Two words: Rocky Raccoon

[Anonymous]

Hell no. I like the Stones too but nobody's in the Beatles' league. Gen Xer here.

[Anonymous]

19:19 - I have old relatives that claim the Beatles were the demise of morals "as we knew them" - hilarious! PP here.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP! I can't believe that's what you think of the Beatles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure they are the rock band of the baby boomers and all of the people in publishing and media get to extol their excellent but is anyone who's actually listen to their music it's terrible. It definitely doesn't hold up today their number of acts from that then who have enduring sound the Beatles are one of them. I think the Rolling Stones are actually better.[/quote

Here are just a few quotes from artists who might know as much about music as you seem to :

Adam Levine

“They were kind of my soul influence just for music, for everything.”

Brad Paisley

"For me, a George Harrison song is important because he, to me, was the Beatle I most identify with because he just always had the guitar. He was always the guy playing those licks."

John Mayer

“It’s pretty incredible when you think about it that The Beatles still hold the number one rank on all these lists of greatest performances. You would think that at some point The Beatles on Ed Sullivan would leave the number one spot, but it doesn’t. It’s the seminal moment. It’s the infancy of television and the infancy of rock and roll and they sort of go together. And, if you’re a third, fourth generation rock fan like I am, you look back at the first generation and you go, that’s incredible.”

Keith Urban

"I grew up in a house with predominantly all country music. My dad didn't have any Beatles records –it was crazy. I don’t know why. So I discovered them, more so in my teenage years and I was hooked immediately.”

Ben McKee (Imagine Dragons)

"We are all just the biggest Beatles fans that you could ever find on the planet. The only music I have on my iPhone is the entire Beatles library. Pop music would be unrecognizable as it is today if it weren't for The Beatles."

Annie Lennox

"To be asked to perform a Beatles song, it was a really incredibly moving thing to be asked to do. They’re 20th century contemporary equivalent of Beethoven, Mozart, all the greatest – their contribution to music is timeless."

Jesse James Rutherford (The Neighbourhood)

"A lot times nowadays people don’t want bands to change. They want every album to stay the same. Whereas you look at The Beatles and they’re an inspiration in terms of growth. Their first album to their last album they took you on a journey."

Lorde

"I wouldn’t be doing what I do if The Beatles had not done what they do, which is incredible."