It has been pointed out that in my post about disliking the Beatles I actually referred to two of their solo efforts.
Well.. yeah, alright. I’ll justify those choices as best I can:
The Traveling Wilburys song and Hard Day’s Night were two examples used to illustrate the same basic point: Their chord choices are boring, and frankly were cheesy long before the Beatles got there.
(Eleanor Rigby on the other hand, is a nifty bit o’ work)
Yes, I know Imagine wasn’t a Beatles song, but it seems to be the nadir of a truly offensive streak in their lyric writing that has a long history. (All you need is love?)
I have to admit, I haven’t heard any reason to distinguish between the solo work and the band’s stuff, because what I dislike about them I would dislike about any similar music.
More reasons to dislike ‘em:
3. The name. It just isn’t funny. It never was.
4. George Martin! As songwriters I find the band dull (or at least hideously dated and over-played), but not enough can be said about the recording revolution that George Martin created. He wasn’t the fifth Beatle, he was the Beatles.
If you liked this post, why not subscribe?
[...] Reasons to Dislike the Beatles – part two 4. George Martin! As songwriters I find the band dull (or at least hideously dated and over-played), but not enough can be said about the recording revolution that George Martin created. He wasn’t the fifth Beatle, he was the Beatles. [...]
I see what you’re saying. A number of their songs are pretty bad (I Want to Hold Your Hand, anyone?). But I don’t think you’re listening to the right songs? Many of their most popular songs are pretty mediocre, I think (like a bulk of their songs on the popular “1″ compilation album).
With that said, I firmly believe they have written some of the best music ever. I don’t think I’m exactly going out on a limb here.
I respect your opinion though. But I just can’t imagine any fellow human not finding something to love in songs like “You Never Give Me Your Money,” “I Am the Walrus,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “A Day in the Life” or so many others…
I have virtually all of their releases (and all of their studio albums), and I have to admit, I don’t listen to much of their early albums. They just don’t really grab me much… But from about “Rubber Soul” on…I think their music just gets kind of magical for me.
Another huge reason why I’m such a big fan of them is that I love pop music. Just simply well-crafted, hummable pop music. And the Beatles were probably the best at it. Maybe you just don’t like pop music? Or maybe you just haven’t discovered the band completely? I don’t know…I just can’t get myself to understand how someone can’t enjoy the Beatles…at least a small part of them. I’m not saying going all beatle-mania and everything. Just enjoying a lot of their work. Their early stuff is bland, even forgettable…but their later stuff? Gold! haha…
Hi Michael,
Yes I will happily admit that this is an opinion based on the Beatles songs that get played all the time, which I guess is all the accessable, hit single stuff. There could very well be plenty of more interesting album tracks that are more enjoyable.
Mind you, of the songs you mention, I have heard ‘I am the Walrus’, and ‘While my guitar gently weeps’, and I wasn’t hugely impressed.
Plus, my next reason to dislike the Beatles was going to be their singing voices, which I just don’t like very much…
So, if was going to look for the more interesting Beatles music, where should I start?