What's so great about the Beatles? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

the_marq · 01-03-2005, 02:22 PM

I know, it's a rather provocative thread title, but it's something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

Now, I enjoy the music of the Beatles. According to what I can find thru Google they are quite definatively the most successful recording artists ever with over 1.1 Billion units sold. Furthermore, they are the most "covered" band in history, some estimates say that as many as 6000 cover versions of "Yesterday" have been recorded. So with that being said, there is no denying that the Beatles did something right and deserve a certain level of respect.

But still my question remains: Were they really good, or where they just lucky?

Did they came along at just the right time to ride the burgeoning wave of pop music? Their original manager (who's name I cannot recall at the moment) steered their career so deftly that when he left (died?) they went into a sort of tailspin. At least according to some critics (not me).

Also, do we love the Beatles just because previous generations did? Is it kinda of a self-fulfilling prophecy wherein the older generation speaks of the Beatles with such reverence that we quitely fall into line with giving it too much thought.

Or were they really that good? Were John, Paul, George and Ringo so damned talented that nothing could keep them from massive stardom and success?

El Kaz · 01-03-2005, 03:35 PM

I don't know about talent, but they were definitely innovative. In my opinion, the innovation part was a big part of their success.

As far as talent go, well.. I consider myself deaf and blind to art.. I can't recognize a masterpiece from an amateur work in no kind of art whatsoever, may it be visual or auditive.. so were the Beatles talented? Probably.. but I have no idea

blitz.fenix · 01-03-2005, 03:58 PM

I ask my friend this every day who loves the Beatles to death. I just figure if it wasn't them it would've been someone else. So yeah early bird catches the worm. I kinda oversimplified it but I'm really tired right now, more arguments to come later.

OFKU0 · 01-03-2005, 07:34 PM

When I was younger I really thought they were overated. As I listen now, they did have some remarkable moments (many) and plenty of nonsense stuff also, but in a good way.

Were they good or lucky? They were good and lucky. Were they virtuosos on their instruments, no, but they wrote some great songs that stuck and have stood the test of time.

I have often wondered myself if they would have retained their popularity over the years had it not been for Sir George Martin and his arrangements. If Nelson Riddle made Frank Sinatra then George Martin certainly made the Beatles, IMO.

K-Wise · 01-03-2005, 07:41 PM

This topic has been done to death though.

Asta!!

The Prophet · 01-03-2005, 07:59 PM

There are many exceptional things about the Beatles but the most defining thing was the time in which they lived.

It was the real dawn of the commercial electronics age. Television was reaching its stride. Portable radios were becoming available. Record players, particularly 45 RPM's, were highly popular and available.

Add to that, the large group of post-war children that were reaching their teen years. Commercial consumerism was driven by the electronic media. Economic prosperity was at an unprecidented level due to post-war growth in manufacturing.

And of course they were some highly talented, diverse musicians who grew with their audience. The same girls in bobby socks they played to in the 60s, were the same girls with flowers in their hair they played to in the 70s. Listen to the growth and the change in their music from one year to the next. They defined the aging of a generation.

Who would believe the same band that performed Love Me Do would play Revolution or Helter Skelter?

MacGuyver · 01-03-2005, 09:40 PM

They were marketable to teenage girls of their time.

marketable = success

Ella · 01-03-2005, 11:48 PM

Three words....

The White Album.

matteo101 · 01-04-2005, 11:07 AM

It all comes down to their writing...they had had like 20 albums..and every song was great.

present_future · 01-04-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ella

Three words....

The White Album.

Six more...

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Quite possibly the most innovative studio album ever produced.

01-03-2005, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	What's so great about the Beatles? I know, it's a rather provocative thread title, but it's something I have been thinking about a lot lately. Now, I enjoy the music of the Beatles. According to what I can find thru Google they are quite definatively the most successful recording artists ever with over 1.1 Billion units sold. Furthermore, they are the most "covered" band in history, some estimates say that as many as 6000 cover versions of "Yesterday" have been recorded. So with that being said, there is no denying that the Beatles did something right and deserve a certain level of respect. But still my question remains: Were they really good, or where they just lucky? Did they came along at just the right time to ride the burgeoning wave of pop music? Their original manager (who's name I cannot recall at the moment) steered their career so deftly that when he left (died?) they went into a sort of tailspin. At least according to some critics (not me). Also, do we love the Beatles just because previous generations did? Is it kinda of a self-fulfilling prophecy wherein the older generation speaks of the Beatles with such reverence that we quitely fall into line with giving it too much thought. Or were they really that good? Were John, Paul, George and Ringo so damned talented that nothing could keep them from massive stardom and success? __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

01-03-2005, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
OFKU0 Junk	When I was younger I really thought they were overated. As I listen now, they did have some remarkable moments (many) and plenty of nonsense stuff also, but in a good way. Were they good or lucky? They were good and lucky. Were they virtuosos on their instruments, no, but they wrote some great songs that stuck and have stood the test of time. I have often wondered myself if they would have retained their popularity over the years had it not been for Sir George Martin and his arrangements. If Nelson Riddle made Frank Sinatra then George Martin certainly made the Beatles, IMO. __________________ " In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard. Last edited by OFKU0; 01-03-2005 at 07:38 PM..

01-03-2005, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
K-Wise It's All About The Ass!! Location: In a pool of mayonnaise!!	This topic has been done to death though. Asta!! __________________ "I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project *It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys!* - Asta!!

01-03-2005, 07:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Prophet Tilted Location: Space, the final frontier.	There are many exceptional things about the Beatles but the most defining thing was the time in which they lived. It was the real dawn of the commercial electronics age. Television was reaching its stride. Portable radios were becoming available. Record players, particularly 45 RPM's, were highly popular and available. Add to that, the large group of post-war children that were reaching their teen years. Commercial consumerism was driven by the electronic media. Economic prosperity was at an unprecidented level due to post-war growth in manufacturing. And of course they were some highly talented, diverse musicians who grew with their audience. The same girls in bobby socks they played to in the 60s, were the same girls with flowers in their hair they played to in the 70s. Listen to the growth and the change in their music from one year to the next. They defined the aging of a generation. Who would believe the same band that performed Love Me Do would play Revolution or Helter Skelter? __________________ "The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others. " - Theodore Roosevelt

01-03-2005, 09:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
MacGuyver You're going to have to trust me! Location: Massachusetts	They were marketable to teenage girls of their time. marketable = success __________________ We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. ---Aristotle Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me. ---John Fletcher

01-03-2005, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
El Kaz Crazy Location: Canada	I don't know about talent, but they were definitely innovative. In my opinion, the innovation part was a big part of their success. As far as talent go, well.. I consider myself deaf and blind to art.. I can't recognize a masterpiece from an amateur work in no kind of art whatsoever, may it be visual or auditive.. so were the Beatles talented? Probably.. but I have no idea

01-03-2005, 03:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
blitz.fenix Insane Location: Toronto	I ask my friend this every day who loves the Beatles to death. I just figure if it wasn't them it would've been someone else. So yeah early bird catches the worm. I kinda oversimplified it but I'm really tired right now, more arguments to come later.

01-03-2005, 11:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ella Ella Bo Bella Location: Australia	Three words.... The White Album. __________________ "Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

01-04-2005, 11:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
matteo101 In transition Location: north, no south abit, over to the right, getting warmer...there!	It all comes down to their writing...they had had like 20 albums..and every song was great.