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Music question

smashmouth5

Devils Illustrated Hall of Famer
Aug 25, 2001
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We've had some awesome lists. I find it interesting that the Beatles have not been mentioned very often. (I think I saw Paul mentioned once) Is this a case of the sum being greater than the parts or do the Beatles exist on a different level by themselves?
 
My dad was somewhat of a musician when he was young and loved the Beatles. In turn, I grew up listening to and loving them as well. For me, the hip hop culture and the influence of jazz, funk, soul and the blues made me more interested in those genres as I got older. I was actually named after famous jazz musician Charlie Parker. But nobody can take away the brilliance of the beatles. I still love Sgt. Peppers so much.
 
I'll hate myself for this, but name a band that was better all around than the Beatles. Not that you liked better (I have my own favorites but recognize that's my personal taste). Think of this criteria:

Voices/harmony
Song writing
variety of styles
Combination of hard rock, ballads, fun music and serious music
instrumental ability
Durability of music through generations
Individual ability of each member (I know, sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, but still...)

I can't name a group better at all these categories. Maybe Crosby Stills, Nash and Young were close in talent, but no where near the variety.
 
They are not everyone's cup of tea. I can't abide Dylan's music, but he is clearly one of the greats. I think you had 3 very good songwriters in the same group, and they were all very different musically.
 
I'll hate myself for this, but name a band that was better all around than the Beatles. Not that you liked better (I have my own favorites but recognize that's my personal taste). Think of this criteria:

Voices/harmony
Song writing
variety of styles
Combination of hard rock, ballads, fun music and serious music
instrumental ability
Durability of music through generations
Individual ability of each member (I know, sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, but still...)

I can't name a group better at all these categories. Maybe Crosby Stills, Nash and Young were close in talent, but no where near the variety.
All subjective categories....

In that case I go with Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, but only on my subjective answers to the above....

Heck I can’t stand the Stones and their durability both physically and musically prob trumps all of them. The Doors were alternatively impactful, even with the volatility of Jim.
 
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All subjective categories....

In that case I go with Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, but only on my subjective answers to the above....

Heck I can’t stand the Stones and their durability both physically and musically prob trumps all of them. The Doors were alternatively impactful, even with the volatility of Jim.

queen>Beatles

Mercury> Lennon/Paul

Elton John> Lennon/Paul

Eagles> Beatles

Beach Boys> Beatles
 
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Led Zep and Pink Floyd were/are great and at times in my life they were among my favorites.

It may be a generational thing too. I'm waiting for someone to say Buddy Holly and the Crickets were the best and I might not be able to argue with that.
 
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I think there can be a big difference between the best and favorites. Beatles definitely no where near my favorite, but I can easily see how they are considered the best. I think Liftee summed that up pretty well. When you ask other musicians, the Beatles come out on top.
 
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I think there can be a big difference between the best and favorites. Beatles definitely no where near my favorite, but I can easily see how they ste considered the best. I think Liftee summed that up pretty well. When you asked other musicians, the Beatles come out on top.

Nearly every question is......subjective lol

7 out of 10 color experts said red is the best color, so it must be the best :p
 
We've had some awesome lists. I find it interesting that the Beatles have not been mentioned very often. (I think I saw Paul mentioned once) Is this a case of the sum being greater than the parts or do the Beatles exist on a different level by themselves?


We haven't mentioned bands. I do know George Harrison was a very good guitar player at I think it was Paul that he taught how to play. Now if we did have a thread of best rock and roll bands they would and should be at the very top. Although they had been together for a while their career st the top is relatively short compared to say The Rolling Stones. What are special about them and maybe a reason they are the best rock and roll band of all time is not only the hit songs they put out but the songs they wrote especisally John and Paul whose songs have been covered over and over by various artist. They influenced so many artist you can't count them and think of all the basementvand garage bands that began because of them. I remember the night they made their television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. I was about 12 years old and my mom and dad went after to my grandmothers to see it. The audience went crazy. After that night Beatlemania broke loose and record sales soared, Beatle naru jackets became the craz along with Beatle boots and hair among young men became longer. " Let It Be " to me by Paul is one of the greatest songs ever written . When I found out exactly what the song was all about it became even more meaningful and no one and I mean no one can sing it like it's writer. As great as The Beatles were they in my opinion are the most underated group or artist ever as the OP said in his opening post. Just think about this. If John and George were still alive and decided to go on tour how hard would it be to get a ticket and how much those tickets would be. OFC
 
Overrated “clap clap clap clap clap” overrated!

I disagree . Underrated to the point of being the most underrated band of all time and I even liked them when they wore the black clothes. You are way to young to understand their influence on music. See my above post. And justvso you know they are not my favorite band of all time. Not even in my top five and I never owned any of their albums but I give them their well earned due. Still love you though pisgah. OFC
 
I disagree . Underrated to the point of being the most underrated band of all time and I even liked them when they wore the black clothes. You are way to young to understand their influence on music. See my above post. And justvso you know they are not my favorite band of all time. Not even in my top five and I never owned any of their albums but I give them their well earned due. Still love you though pisgah. OFC

haha sky throwing jabs. From a historical standpoint I agree with you tho
 
Even if you don't like them the Beatles are objectively the greatest band ever. I don't like the Rolling Stones (they are great and I've seen them live) but it would be a little silly for me not to recognize their greatness. I just prefer the Beatles.
 
Even if you don't like them the Beatles are objectively the greatest band ever. I don't like the Rolling Stones (they are great and I've seen them live) but it would be a little silly for me not to recognize their greatness. I just prefer the Beatles.

I guess technically this is a better statement in where I stand. If someone gave me tix to the stones it would be a no brainer and I don’t care for them either.. I like the Beatles better honestly and have listened to them and owned albums. lol I would prob go see Paul if tix were the right price just for the context of it all
 
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The Beatles are on the Mount Rushmore of bands with God like talent.













And I could keep going. One of the most influential bands of all time.
 
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Bleed it I think that is what puts them at the top. They were so influential. I dont get it, but I like music, I dont really understand it from a structural point of view.
 
Beatles = glorified elevator music

So, what's great music to you then? I don't mean that in a passive aggressive way. Just find it baffling that you can simply reduce one of the greatest bands of all time to "glorified elevator music".
 
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