Favourite Beatles song?

[nietzsche]

They're light years, creatively, behind the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd, the Who and other bands.

One of the dumbest comments you've ever made and light years beyond the ignorance
of the simplistic "overrated" label. The Beatles didn't just effect pop music,
they changed all music that followed.

This is MUSIC we're talking about here... and there really is no best. No best band,
no best singer, no best guitar player. All those labels are subjective and without merit.
There is great music produced over many eras, written and produced by great composers
and performed by great musicians.

Caveat #1 - I do not like most of the Beatles' songs.
Caveat #2 - They were an influential musical group.

I can hardly say that they changed all music. Was there no rock and roll before the Beatles? They certainly popularized rock and roll to an extent, although perhaps Elvis had already done that in the United States (although he did not event the genre either).

There is a happy medium between overindulging in this "BEATLES = BEST/FIRST" nonsense and "BEATLES = BOY BAND" stuff. I do think the Beatles are very much overrated, but I think that's mostly a matter of taste.

By the way, I saw Paul McCartney in concert - the dude still has it. Seriously. I compare him to when I saw Bob Dylan and it's like night and day.

A lot of of those rockers that many consider the good ones say that The Beatles were really influential, I don't know why we wouldn't take their word for it.

[Aradhus]

Because they're just being "rebels", going against the norm. They WANT to not like the Beatles regardless of content.

A lot of of those rockers that many consider the good ones say that The Beatles were really influential, I don't know why we wouldn't take their word for it.

Can we really take the likes of Jimi Hendrix seriously?

[whitestazn88]

The beatles were just a bunch of redcoat drug abusing interracial marrying hippie commune loving bums who contributed nothing to society, aside from further destroying it with their hedonistic ideals and riffraff appearances.

[Army of GOD]

influential != good

influential merely means they had the luck of being born before the great artists.

And yes, I am harboring a lot of hatred towards the Beatles because apparently Rolling Stone magazine believes the Beatles have 9 songs that are "greater" than Bohemian Rhapsody (in their list of the 500 greatest songs). I know it's an irrational hatred towards an irrelevant supposed music critic, but it just pisses me off.

[nietzsche]

influential != good

influential merely means they had the luck of being born before the great artists.

And yes, I am harboring a lot of hatred towards the Beatles because apparently Rolling Stone magazine believes the Beatles have 9 songs that are "greater" than Bohemian Rhapsody (in their list of the 500 greatest songs). I know it's an irrational hatred towards an irrelevant supposed music critic, but it just pisses me off.

AoG, you are being a natty boy

[Army of GOD]

I don't want to be natty(_)dread =(

[codeblue1018]

Many, many hits although, I choose "get back".

[thegreekdog]

They're light years, creatively, behind the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd, the Who and other bands.

One of the dumbest comments you've ever made and light years beyond the ignorance
of the simplistic "overrated" label. The Beatles didn't just effect pop music,
they changed all music that followed.

This is MUSIC we're talking about here... and there really is no best. No best band,
no best singer, no best guitar player. All those labels are subjective and without merit.
There is great music produced over many eras, written and produced by great composers
and performed by great musicians.

Caveat #1 - I do not like most of the Beatles' songs.
Caveat #2 - They were an influential musical group.

I can hardly say that they changed all music. Was there no rock and roll before the Beatles? They certainly popularized rock and roll to an extent, although perhaps Elvis had already done that in the United States (although he did not event the genre either).

There is a happy medium between overindulging in this "BEATLES = BEST/FIRST" nonsense and "BEATLES = BOY BAND" stuff. I do think the Beatles are very much overrated, but I think that's mostly a matter of taste.

By the way, I saw Paul McCartney in concert - the dude still has it. Seriously. I compare him to when I saw Bob Dylan and it's like night and day.

A lot of of those rockers that many consider the good ones say that The Beatles were really influential, I don't know why we wouldn't take their word for it.

Yeah, well, see my caveat #2. I don't disagree with any of that. What I have a problem with is Beatles worship - like they invented the genre. And trust me, I know this firsthand - mrs. thegreekdog is a gigantic Beatles fan.

[PLAYER57832]

The Beatles helped create the world that allowed Queen to flourish.

I always consider this an extremely dishonest argument.

Ok, without the Beatles, Queen wouldn't exist. Without the artists before the Beatles, the Beatles wouldn't exist. Without the artists before the artists before the Beatles, the artists before the Beatles wouldn't exist and so on and so forth.

I won't deny the Beatles were important for the popularization of music, but in the same way artists before them were important. But I will say that their music is of the same ilk as the Backstreet Boys and Justin Beiber.

You are making a valid point, but I disagree.
To take that initial step requires a level of creativity not necessary for those that follow. The Beatles were unique. Justin Beaver is not. The Beatles changed the world, Beaver has not.

To deny that distinction is also dishonest.

The problem is not that Queen and the Beatles each lack value (and by-the-way, Queen also shaped the muic movement), it is that to simply compare the two is in accurate.

Beyond that, I don't think Beaver even writes most of his own music. But, even if he does, his lyrics and tone in no way compare to the Beatles.. not even if you stick to just the McCarthy stuff.

[PLAYER57832]

Yeah, well, see my caveat #2. I don't disagree with any of that. What I have a problem with is Beatles worship - like they invented the genre.

Invented the genre, perhaps (only perhaps) not, Popularize it beyond belief, they absolutely did!

And trust me, I know this firsthand - mrs. thegreekdog is a gigantic Beatles fan.

Obiously a lady of good taste .

[PLAYER57832]

The beatles were just a bunch of redcoat drug abusing interracial marrying hippie commune loving bums who contributed nothing to society, aside from further destroying it with their hedonistic ideals and riffraff appearances.

McCarthy rises again...
(for that matter, I seem to remember Nixon saying something of the sort.. though perhaps not in public).

[Woodruff]

NUMBER 9

You Satanic bastard! My minister told me about that song!!!

(Wasn't it "Revolution Number 9" though?)

[notyou2]

NUMBER 9

You Satanic bastard! My minister told me about that song!!!

(Wasn't it "Revolution Number 9" though?)

Umm, let me check my White Album LP.


We were both close....."Revolution 9"

[AAFitz]

The one they didn't steal...

[Aradhus]

influential != good

influential merely means they had the luck of being born before the great artists.

And yes, I am harboring a lot of hatred towards the Beatles because apparently Rolling Stone magazine believes the Beatles have 9 songs that are "greater" than Bohemian Rhapsody (in their list of the 500 greatest songs). I know it's an irrational hatred towards an irrelevant supposed music critic, but it just pisses me off.

So because somebody else holds an opinion about the Beatles that affects your opinion of them? That's kinda pathetic. One cold infer from everything you've said in this topic that the only thing holding you back from liking the Backstreetboys is that they're popular...

Granted, Rolling Stone do go a little overboard with their Beatles love, but they're taking a lot of things into account. They know their history. A history where the Beatles dominated, when people were ridiculously excited about a new Beatles Album, when the style of music was relatively new and inventive and completely different to today and this saturated climate of mediocrity.


Me personally, I think The Beatles only have one song better than Bohemian Rhapsody, and another 2 songs I consider roughly equal to it. I'll say this though, for me some Beatles songs just never get old, I can listen to them again and again and again. Bohemian Rhapsody while awesome can get on my nerves if I hear it one too many times. An you know, I don't think Freddie Mercury even considered Bohemian Rhapsody to be Queens best song.

"influential merely means they had the luck of being born before the great artists."

First of all that's BS, if this were true why are bands today still influenced by the Beatles? You know, little bands like Oasis and Radiohead to name 2. Surely the Beatles would be overlooked for these great artists.
Also, while influential is fine, inspirational is a more accurate term, the Beatles inspired other people to make music, if not for them some great artists might never have picked up an instrument. Great artists like Dave Gilmour who would practice Beatles songs while learning how to play guitar.

I could go on and on all day citing artists who have stated that The Beatles impacted their decision to make music, and were important to them.

[Chariot of Fire]

Good post Ara. Agree with every word you've said, even the bit about Bohemian Rhapsody (which I love) and its ability to grate if overplayed. The Beatles had a gift for writing melodies that are timeless, catchy and definitely inspirational. And to think it all started as a bunch of lads in a skiffle band. Now that's evolution!

And I believe you are right too re Mercury's fave Queen song. I'm sure I read somewhere that it was "Who Wants To Live Forever" but then a quick search seems to come up with "Somebody To Love" (which I don't much care for truth be told).

Interesting about Dave Gilmour. I'm just glad that man picked up a guitar, full stop. Gives me goose bumps.

[PLAYER57832]

Me personally, I think The Beatles only have one song better than Bohemian Rhapsody, and another 2 songs I consider roughly equal to it. I'll say this though, for me some Beatles songs just never get old, I can listen to them again and again and again. Bohemian Rhapsody while awesome can get on my nerves if I hear it one too many times. An you know, I don't think Freddie Mercury even considered Bohemian Rhapsody to be Queens best song.
.

This is a really good point, and sort of gets to the question of how we define "great".

Is something "great" because it is technically complex, inventive or is it "great" because it is popular and well-loved.

[thegreekdog]

Good post Ara. Agree with every word you've said, even the bit about Bohemian Rhapsody (which I love) and its ability to grate if overplayed. The Beatles had a gift for writing melodies that are timeless, catchy and definitely inspirational. And to think it all started as a bunch of lads in a skiffle band. Now that's evolution!

And I believe you are right too re Mercury's fave Queen song. I'm sure I read somewhere that it was "Who Wants To Live Forever" but then a quick search seems to come up with "Somebody To Love" (which I don't much care for truth be told).

Interesting about Dave Gilmour. I'm just glad that man picked up a guitar, full stop. Gives me goose bumps.

The only thing I was thinking of reading Arad's post was "What the hell is Freddie Mercury's favorite Queen song?" Thanks for answering that question. Queen is in my top 10 favorite bands.

I still think my favorite rock song of all time is Sympathy for the Devil, but I'm not a big Stones fan.

Not to derail, but it would be interesting if people could make a determination as to someone's tastes in music based upon their top 10 favorite bands. My list would be eclectic (in the genre of rock) and would include Queen, Zeppelin, Tool, and Pearl Jam, but wouldn't include the Beatles or the Stones.

[Army of GOD]

Good post Ara. Agree with every word you've said, even the bit about Bohemian Rhapsody (which I love) and its ability to grate if overplayed. The Beatles had a gift for writing melodies that are timeless, catchy and definitely inspirational. And to think it all started as a bunch of lads in a skiffle band. Now that's evolution!

And I believe you are right too re Mercury's fave Queen song. I'm sure I read somewhere that it was "Who Wants To Live Forever" but then a quick search seems to come up with "Somebody To Love" (which I don't much care for truth be told).

Interesting about Dave Gilmour. I'm just glad that man picked up a guitar, full stop. Gives me goose bumps.

The only thing I was thinking of reading Arad's post was "What the hell is Freddie Mercury's favorite Queen song?" Thanks for answering that question. Queen is in my top 10 favorite bands.

I still think my favorite rock song of all time is Sympathy for the Devil, but I'm not a big Stones fan.

Not to derail, but it would be interesting if people could make a determination as to someone's tastes in music based upon their top 10 favorite bands. My list would be eclectic (in the genre of rock) and would include Queen, Zeppelin, Tool, and Pearl Jam, but wouldn't include the Beatles or the Stones.

Lists like that change all the time, but here is my current top 10 (bands or artists in any genre) which shows my bias towards Queen:

1. AWOLNATION
2. Radiohead
3. Queen
4. Pantera
5. Gorillaz
6. Metallica
7. Pink Floyd
8. System of a Down
9. The Sword
10. Ozzy Osbourne (not Black Sabbath, I prefer Ozzy's solo band, especially when he had Rhoads on guitar)

[thegreekdog]

How do you like System and not Tool? Liking Tool is not subjective, by the way.

[Army of GOD]

How do you like System and not Tool? Liking Tool is not subjective, by the way.

System is SO INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT than Tool.

Then again, I've only heard like 3 Tool songs, but I fucking hated them. The consistent irregular time signatures, the lazy repetitive nature of their songs, the half-assed vocals...I just couldn't stand it.

System on the other hand is (for the most part) incredibly upbeat, to the point and absolutely hilarious.

BANANA BANANA BANANA BANANA TERRACOTTA BANANA TERRACOTTA TERRACOTTA PIE