An admission and a question...

Ax · 06-18-2009, 11:36 PM

I just sent a UC to somebody who just mentioned the Beatles but I think I will just come out and ask everybody all at once...

Why are the Beatles such a big deal? I don't think I get them. I don't like them, but I don't dislike them. I just don't see what makes people go "ZOMG ITS THA BEATLES!!!!!"... I got Beatlemania, when they were "cute" singing songs about holding hands and sweet things, I understand that, It's their later stuff. So many people reference them as being brilliant or amazing or such, but the only song of theirs I really like is A Little Help from my Friends, and honestly, I like the other version better, the one where Syd Barret did the guitars and was the theme from the Wonder Years...

So basically, with everybody in the world spazzing out over Rock Band Beatles edition, I have to ask myself, what's the big deal?

(Being 100% honest, somebody PLEASE explain to me)

Zooropa · 06-18-2009, 11:42 PM

lol I just replied to this in The Beatles thread.

Ax · 06-19-2009, 12:01 AM

I'll just reply here. I didn't wanna derail that thread, that's why I posted this here...

You said they had the two best songwriters... I have to politely disagree or at least say "I don't get why you'd say that"... I don't see John Lennon as being that great. Either his lyrics are dumb or incoherent as far as I can tell... Yellow Submarine, Come Together, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds... They just sound drug induced..

OiBoyz · 06-19-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ax

Why are the Beatles such a big deal? I don't think I get them.

I don't get it either. I've never particularly liked them. There are a few songs I like, but generally, I just don't like them.

Of course, I don't like most music from that era, so what do I know?

Zooropa · 06-19-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ax

I'll just reply here. I didn't wanna derail that thread, that's why I posted this here...

You said they had the two best songwriters... I have to politely disagree or at least say "I don't get why you'd say that"... I don't see John Lennon as being that great. Either his lyrics are dumb or incoherent as far as I can tell... Yellow Submarine, Come Together, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds... They just sound drug induced..

Not to be a smartass, but Yellow Submarine was McCartney. That's beside the point, though.

Not dumb or incoherent, it's just a style. If you don't dig the style, there's not much you can do about that. Trust me, his music was the furthest thing from dumb. I dig the style, a lot. I think Sgt. Pepper and White Album are the two greatest records ever made. I don't think it's something that can be explained, man. Either you get it as art, or you don't. Doesn't make you a lesser person if you don't.

thelitguy · 06-19-2009, 12:50 AM

I am in full belief that anyone who says they don't like the Beatles are joking themselves.

I have all of the right to say this because I used to try and fight someone everytime the Beatles were mentioned.

Quote:

I don't think it's something that can be explained

And this is also 110% truth. I can fully explain why the Beach Boys are my favorite band, in detail. I can explain for hours why Phil Spector was the most important producer of the past generation. But I really cannot explain why the Beatles are so great.

That, or there are so many reasons that it is impossible to go into it. I find few things to be that perfect, mainly only Hitchcock and the Beatles.

**slap_j** · 06-19-2009, 08:45 AM

Well, you know the story. By acclamation The Beatles are the greatest band...ever. I didn't understand either til one summer. It was only five or six years ago. I bought the white album and listened to it almost exclusively for weeks. Maybe it was a confluence of a number of things, the atmosphere, the place I was in my life, etc. But I got The Beatles. I immediately went out and picked up "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Abbey Road," and "Let It Be." I'm not sure how to quantify it (though plenty has been written) but for me they hang out around the pinnacle of what music can be.

Kenny C. · 06-19-2009, 09:09 AM

I agree with what everybody else has said. The way I see it is that the Beatles are the musical equivalent (at least pop music ) of Shakespeare or Cervantes. You can't really explain why they are so great and you can't escape their influence.

**Skeeter** · 06-19-2009, 10:42 AM

An attempt at an actual explanation!

Melody. That's about it. They had some of the most brilliant melodies and they combined them with innovation and image.

Kenny C. · 06-19-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

They had some of the most brilliant melodies and they combined them with innovation and image.

Haha, as my mom put it when I asked her "They were cute guys with catchy songs."

earlessdog · 06-19-2009, 02:25 PM

I like a number of their songs, like Let It Be (their best one), Hey Jude as well. Actually I really enjoy the album Abby Road. But I do believe they are overrated, I don't understand how they can have over a billion records sold.
John Lennons solo stuff is really awesome.

I think they made it huge because they played rock n roll when it was just starting, they sang loud and arrogently, and they were simply sex symbols. Then, a few years, the largest band wagon ever, was rolling along and continued to pick up mounds of people.
Once legendary status had been stated by someone, everyone assumed they were/are the greatest band ever.

Kenny C. · 06-19-2009, 03:21 PM

I would say the fact that they took rock n roll from the teen-world and into a legitimate art-form is enough reason for legendary status. The Beatles started off writing 3 minute pop songs and a few years later were releasing just classic albums. Another thing is I think people forget how short of a lifespan the Beatles had as a band. I mean, it was, what, from like 1962-1970 or 1971?

ryan a johnson · 06-19-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny C.

I would say the fact that they took rock n roll from the teen-world and into a legitimate art-form is enough reason for legendary status. The Beatles started off writing 3 minute pop songs and just a few years later were releasing just classic albums. Another thing is I think people forget how short of a lifespan the Beatles had as a band. I mean, it was, what, from like 1962-1970 or 1971?

Exactly, along with other reasons previously stated. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they didn't really do anything after 1969.

**meatfinger** · 06-19-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny C.

I agree with what everybody else has said. The way I see it is that the Beatles are the musical equivalent (at least pop music ) of Shakespeare or Cervantes. You can't really explain why they are so great and you can't escape their influence.

I like the comparison to Shakespeare. That's exactly what it is. Just as Shakespeare revolutionized English language literature (and language itself to an extent), The Beatles revolutionized popular music. They went places nobody had gone before and redefined the expectations of the entire industry. Nearly every musical act since The Beatles follows the template they set.

They were the perfect combination of pop sensibilities and experimentalism. And something about them simply struck a chord with millions... billions even.

Beyond that, I don't know why. They just are. And I think they win the title of "Greatest Band Ever" by default until someone else suggests a different band with better music and a greater cultural significance. But you're not going to find that.

**thesteve** · 06-19-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatfinger

Beyond that, I don't know why. They just are. And I think they win the title of "Greatest Band Ever" by default until someone else suggests a different band with better music and a greater cultural significance. But you're not going to find that.

I'm pretty sure that U2, Nirvana or Radiohead were greater, maybe all three.