Who else thinks the Beatles are way over rated?

[Lurks Often]

I can not lie, I can't stand the music of the Beatles. I think they are a much over rated band.

And to put in context is a partial list of musicians and bands that I think are good (I'll exclude the lesser known artists):
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Garbage, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Los Lobos, Amy Winehouse, Billy Joel, Bo Diddley, Christina Aguilera, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye & Mark Knopfler.

[pintobean]

1. The greatest, or one of the greatest can't be over rated

The fact that you don't like them is totally irrelevant.

[joeybee12]

4. I have to agree...n/t

[Burma Jones]

6. +1

[deutsey]

8. They dramatically transformed not just pop culture, but society in general

For good or for ill, the Beatles' music and personalities significantly contributed to reshaping our modern world. How can you overrate something like that?

[driver8]

43. Exactly right! What the Beatles did with the technology they had is absolutely amazing!

Not only are their songs incredible, but their recordings are genius!

[LibDemAlways]

62. Agree.

It wasn't just the music. Their irreverence was a huge breath of fresh air. To experience their evolution through the 60's, as they grew and changed musically, was fascinating. They influenced every rock musician who came after.

No one has to like them, but it's almost impossible to overestimate their impact.

[Ptah]

2. Score one for Oasis

[pintobean]

3. lol. that was fast. n/t

[edbermac]

5. This guy is typical of those who think the Beatles are over-rated.

And Sinatra called 'Something' one of the greatest love songs ever written. So much for 'over-rated'

[Lurks Often]

12. Yawn nt

[Captain Hilts]

32. True about Sinatra and "Something."

I LOVE Sinatra AND the Beatles.

[Deep13]

36. I think Sinatra was over-rated.

The Beatles, OTOH, are the Beatles.

[jobycom]

7. None of the acts you mention would consider them overrated.

Most of them were direct imitators of the Beatles and the sounds and methods they created. Frank Sinatra covered a few Beatles songs, and called "Something" the greatest love song ever written. Even Marvin Gaye covered "Yesterday."

One big exception was Dean Martin. Supposedly he got angry at his son always taking about the Beatles and vowed he'd knock them off the charts. He recorded "Everybody Loves Somebody," and sure enough, it knocked "Hard Day's Night" out of number one. Hard not to love Dean, IMHO.

For the most part, I don't listen too much to the Beatles. Their music is dated, mostly because so many people imitated it and took it to new levels. But even now I'll run across one of their songs, really listen to it, and realize how surprising it was. "I am the Walrus," "Get Back," even "Eleanor Rigby" do that to me, and even some of their oldest stuff, like "Rock and Roll Music" do that. And some of their work, like "Let It Be," still amaze me. That's got to be one of the most emotional, passionate songs ever written or recorded.

Nothing to be ashamed of in the list you give. Good acts, all. Well, Winehouse is overrated, but still pretty good. She's like Joss Stone--she sings the notes okay, but doesn't seem to always understand why she's singing them.

[Lurks Often]

11. +50

for being able to discuss and disagree in a reasonable, rational manner.

On edit: When Amy Winehouse is good, she is very good, but some of her other stuff is just badly done.

[Iggo]

9. Christina Aguilera > The Beatles.

I need to lay down now.

[Lurks Often]

10. Not quite

I didn't say that Christina Aguilera was greater then the Beatles. I included her to show that I have an ecletic taste in music.

[Orrex]

13. Well, she has THOSE.

You know. Those.

[Iggo]

27. I'm a big fan of Those, I must say.

[MilesColtrane]

34. I've heard she's named them John and Paul.

Even she gets it.

[Orrex]

35. Holy moley that's amazing!

I mean, what's going on with her nose?

[MilesColtrane]

37. I think she puts dark makeup on it to try and minimize it.

But, it just ends up looking weird.

Someone needs to tell her that nobody's looking at her nose anyway.

[Orrex]

40. She has the most astonishing noses I've ever seen.

Maybe some dark makeup would deemphasize them.

[struggle4progress]

14. Nixon's election kinda depressed me, so I ain't been followin the Fab Four much recently

I got a vinyl copy of Abbey Road around somewhere. Maybe the hidden track Her Majesty is really the best thing on it

[MiddleFingerMom]

25. "Her Majesty" might be my favorite Beatles' song.

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I end up singing it out loud while walking... maybe several times a week.
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I add my own flourish, "...but I gotta get a bellyful o' wine (HIC-uhh)".
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[Generic Brad]

15. I'm going out on a limb here

Without looking at your profile, I'm guessing you were either not alive or were extremely young when the Beatles were on the charts. I fully get that those too young to have witnessed them would think they were overrated. But if you lived through it - you know. They literally changed the sound of music and transformed society. Hell, they even directly influenced discussions, hair cuts, and clothes my relatives had back then. I have not seen any other musical act come close to doing what they did in either my personal life or society at large.

In retrospect, they seem overrated to people who did not live through the period first hand. But there has been no act to compare either before or since to most of us who lived through that time period.

[begin_within]

16. Amy Winehouse better than the Beatles?

This forum has now officially died.

[Odin2005]

17. She's good, but she isn't THAT good!

[Orrex]

53. The last four words of your subject line sum her up entirely.

:evilgrin:

[Captain Hilts]

41. Amy Alehouse? Bigger? I hope that's sarcasm.

Besides, Lindsey Lohan can drink more and Susan Boyle can beat the crap out of her in a fistfight.

So, she's not even the top female performer.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

18. Who else thinks this thread

is a waste of time? :)
Seriously, you had to be there to understand how The Beatles changed things. And for the record, most all their work stands the test of time.

[Iggo]

28. + a brazillion.

[Joe Fields]

45. TYVM....

[Skittles]

19. LOL

:rofl:

[last_texas_dem]

20. Not me

There are several sacred cows in popular music that I'd be willing to call overrated, but the Beatles are one band that I feel lives up to the hype.

[Aristus]

21. They just seem overrated because so many of the things they did were done for the first time.

After everybody started doing them, it became easy to overlook the fact the The Beatles were the innovators.

Case in point, in "I Want To Hold Your Hand", they break rhythm right in the middle of the song and start the slower interlude: "And when I touch you I feel happy inside..."

It seems pretty simple and straightforward songwriting, but when The Beatles did it, it was for the first time in a charting pop song. It was unheard of to break rhythm in a track that only lasted two and a half minutes. But they did it, and changed the way popular music was written and performed.

Another example is "Eleanor Rigby". It was the first Top Ten pop hit that wasn't about love. The 60's and 70's would be crammed with songs about loneliness, alienation, and despair, but "ER" was the first. Not to mention that astonishing string octet accompaniment.

Sorry. I disagree with your assessment that The Beatles were overrated.

[vi5]

42. Here's the key rub in what you wrote....

"for the first time in a charting pop song".

They didn't come up with, or invent, or start any of the things they are endlessly credited with. They merely popularized them, which they were able to do because they were young, attractive, white kids with a crack team behind them guiding them along and because they put a palatable sheen on it where it didn't previously exist.

Actually coming up with something new or inventing something or pioneering something is just not the same thing as popularizing it.

[Sebastian Doyle]

22. If they're still finding music to release 40 years after a band breaks up

I'd say they did something right......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQDDfW2pMhk

[denbot]

23. I vote for underrated.

Just think about how nearly fifty years after they gained world wide fame, bands are still compared to them..

BTW Mark Knopfler would personally kick you ass if you said to him he was superior to the Beatles..

[Lindsey]

26. Wow - I can't believe someone would say that. I've read a lot

of posts in my life but this may just be one of the most unbelievable I've ever read (excluding politics). Another poster stated that without reading your profile you must be too young to get them. However, my son and both of my nephews put The Beatles at the top of their lists. They were the pioneers of music as we know it today. The combined rock and classical. They ushered in the entire hippie generation. Paul hurt his lip so he grew a mustache and that started the whole grow your hair, bearded movement. However, that's only a small part of what they did. They didn't just write love songs. They wrote songs about the human condition as well. "Yesterday" is the most covered song in the history of music. Their impact can't possibly be overrated. I listen to them all the time and have since I was six years old. They transcend generations. Even my parents liked them. "A Day in the Life" is pure genius. John had his part but it wasn't a complete song. Paul had his part but it wasn't a complete song either. And Somehow they managed to bring the two parts together and IMO came up with the best song of all time. With every album, they just got better and better. I know quite a bit about music as I've written some songs myself and what they did is otherworldly. I guess that's what makes the world go round - to each his own so I don't want to be nasty to you for your post - it's just something I can't understand. I guess I've just never heard of anyone who has ever said that The Beatles were overrated.:shrug:

[Blue_In_AK]

24. The Beatles still sound remarkably good.

And I agree with the others above who said "you had to have been there." The Beatles changed everything.

My husband gave me the remastered box set for Christmas and it was amazing to play ALL the songs in a row. They were an incredible band.

[Captain Hilts]

31. I consider it classical music. nt

[cherish44]

29. I think they were pretty revolutionary for their time

ask anyone who remembers the 60s and they will say the Beatles changed everything. (I don't remember the 60s but I've been paying attention and I can't think of any other band that had the influence on the world in general like the Beatles. My 5 year old nephew knows of the Beatles but I don't think in 40 years there will be 5 year olds or even 40 year olds who know who Amy Winehouse is)

[Captain Hilts]

30. They saved us from more years of Frankie Avalon and Pat Boone. nt

[Lurks Often]

57. Good Point

Have to give them credit for that

[rurallib]

60. don't forget the most over rated of all - Elvis!

Remember the Beatles wrote their own stuff. Broke the mold on all those 'June - spoon - moon' songs that were the norm til then.
With the exception of Buddy Holly.

[DoBotherMe]

64. Oh god that music

Was horrible! I was still in grade school when the Fabs hit but their music was so excitng. Our local radio station played IWTHYH for three hours straight when it was released. We kept calling it in for a request.
Good times! Dana ; )

[vi5]

33. I'll go one better....

Not only are the overrated, I think they are responsible for every horrible thing about pop/rock music as it exists in the mainstream today. Pretentious, over-produced, treacly, cloying garbage.

[hobbit709]

39. PFFT!!

[BlueJazz]

61. I understand what you're saying. I'll admit I do find some of their tunes...

...very good musically but the Producer/Big business/Record Company/Pushers made the Band what they are.
I...for one..and a lot of musical writers and scholars are convinced that the Members of the Beatles did not write all their songs.

You know how someone who reads a lot can tell you who wrote a certain book just by reading it?? (and not knowing the Author)
EVERY songwriter has a "Style"...a ...umm.. signature way of interpreting the patterns and chord placements and creating the "flow"
of a song. (excuse my shitty way of trying to explain this)....anyway, the Beatles songs are written in 7 distinct "Styles" and
Flow patterns.
..and since there were only 4 of them and really 3 that wrote music...something does not add up.

Did you notice that when the Beatles broke up that the Song writing went to the bottom of the barrel ??
"Wings" songs were/are completely forgettable.

I'll catch hell for this post but so be it... :)

[Joe Fields]

67. Hyperbole schmyperbole

[MilesColtrane]

38. How can you be overrated if you're bigger than Jesus?

[Joe Fields]

44. It's impossible for the Beatles to be overrated.

All others pale in comparison. Period. Exclamation point!!!!1

[name not needed]

46. Lurks not often enough, apparently.

[ceile]

47. I wouldn't say "over rated", but I'm no fan.

There are some of their songs that make me want to run head long into a brick wall to stop the pain...

[TZ]

48. That seems to be an issue around here.

Distinguishing between "I don't like the music of xyz" and "music xyz is ovverated".
People don't seem to understand where opinion ends and actual objective reality begins.

[ceile]

49. Definitely.

I also don't like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin, but I do know that they were very influential and ground breaking in their own way.

[Orrex]

52. I see what you're saying. It's like my inability to comprehend your love for Justin Bieber

I mean, I can't stand his music, but who am I to say that you're "wrong" to adore it?

[Joe Fields]

65. Love the Beatles more than life itself, but I could do without ...

Ringo's "Maxwell's Silver Hammer."

[Moondog]

50. There's no accounting for taste. It takes all kinds to make a world.

One man's meat is another man's poison.

Well, that's about all the polite responses I can come up with.

Thanks for playing, and have a nice life .....

[Amerigo Vespucci]

51. It's like the famous line about Woodstock: "If you remember it, you weren't there."

Anyone who witnessed The Beatles as they happened, basically from 1963-1970, might not have cared for their music, but couldn't deny their impact.

And Billy Joel? The Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac guy? Seriously?

:rofl:

[GCP]

54. Whatever

[Sky Masterson]

55. ....Grumble grumble!!!!

The Beatles were awesome!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Y3PlmwnRM
(Two of us)

btw..I could have wrote your laundry list of good artist.

[TK421]

56. Amy Whinehouse....really? I agree with everyone else on that list

maybe not so much with Christina Aguilera or Billy Joel ( only a few songs of his I have found to be keepers )


edited to add: I don't like Sinatra, never have and never will

[kayakjohnny]

58. My only problem with the Beatles was their incessant whining about women.

Nearly every god damn song of theirs, but for a few, was about problems with girls or women.

The musicianship, the melodies, the timing, the raw talent.... amazing. Wonderful. Some of the best the world has ever seen.

What wrecked a lot of it for me was the never ending references to problems with relationships.

And I think they, like Elvis and so many others, helped teach society that it was OK to be an absolute freak and a disgusting train wreck over a fucked up relationship.

I'll never let them off the hook for that.

But oh, how the tunes were catchy.

And that part was very cool.

[undeterred]

59. Nobody is better than the Beatles.

Except maybe Mozart.

[kwassa]

63. Their influence was gigantic. That is historical fact. Bob Dylan was more important, though.

Bob changed the course of popular music in a more influential way than anyone.

Lennon and McCartney were an amazing team of songwriters, much better together than as solo artists. They were great pop writers. The Beatles existed on the cutting edge of pop culture for years, and influenced everyone that followed. The records were really good, too.

[Joe Fields]

66. I like Dylan a lot, but I don't recall him ushering in two waves of music

like the Beatles did with the British invasions.

[NoGOPZone]

68. I don't

but to each his/her own, no artist has universal appeal. For example, from the names you given, I find Led Zeppelin, Hooker and Billy Joel very overrated. Joel, however, is an excellent keyboard player, and Aguilera has one of the best voices in popular music.