Why do people put the Beatles music down?

Question

Most people who say they don't like the Beatles music were not around during the 60s and 70s so therefore are not qualified to comment on their music. Comparing the Beatles to the likes of Paul Weller is ridiculous. The Beatles pioneered the music of their day. Why do you think they had millions of fans screaming all over the place. Paul weller never had that and never will. Without the Beatles music would be so different today. The Beatles did not use Terms such as ****** or Mother-----r to sell their music. They mostly sang songs about love and peace. You kids think you know so much about music but you actually know very little. Also artists like Oasis, Micheal Jackson, Bee Gees, and loads of others are heavily influenced by their songs. Unless you were there you should shut up and remember you would not have pop music without the likes of the Beatles.

To Boomerang. The Beatles actually split in December 1970. The Beatles even today still influence songwriters and musicians. All four Beatles went on to produce music after the official split, yes even Ringo.

I have just watched the UK hall of fame and the biggest accolade was for the Beatles. ( No mention of paul weller) the Beatles were given the biggest accolade by some of the worlds greatest musicians and song writers. So boomerang it seems that the Beatles actually are as popular now as they were back in the 60s.

Answer 1

I really think that people who don't bother to learn about music history have absolutely no idea just how much influence the Beatles had on both music and fashion. Without the Beatles, we may have never had rock institutions like guitar feedback (invented "accidentally" by John Lennon during the recording of "I Feel Fine"), and the concept album (Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band pioneered the idea of creating an entire album with a central theme and alter-ego rock stars- we never would have had American Idiot or the early David Bowie "Ziggy Stardust" stuff). Also, the Beatles were the first band ever to play in huge venues llike Shea Stadium. Before them, concerts were mostly held in tiny auditoriums and state fairs and stuff like that. Also, what about fashion? If the Beatles hadn't made "long" hair mainstream, we might all still be wearing crewcuts. The kids who call themselves "scene" these days wouldn't be wearing those tight little pants and combing their hair forward, that's for sure. Also, what about the major political influences the Beatles were, both individually and as a group? Before them, most pop musicians stayed out of politics, leaving that to the folk musicians. The Beatles effectively brought back the combo band format (two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer) at a time when bands were a dying breed, rock and roll was in a low point, and second-rate teen idol "crooners" were starting to be what passed for entertainment once again. The Beatles shook things up, and I think that if everybody realized that, they would pay more respect to the Beatles instead of thinking of them as some soft kiddie band that their parents like.

Answer 2

Many great answers already, but I'd just like to add a fairly obvious point. Most people who put The Beatles down do so because they simply don't like them. And that's understandable - we all have different tastes. But it doesn't mean that The Beatles are any worse because so many people might think so, it only means that they may be a little less relevant in today's society because there has been so much more great music since then. (not necessarily better than The Beatles, though!) But you also have to bear in mind that most people have no interest in classical music - they find it boring. But this doesn't make classical music any worse. It's all down to taste. And people who dislike The Beatles have got less than those who like them!

Answer 3

I think you answered your own question. Sometimes people put something down when they either don't understand it or are ignorant of the context in which the Beatles wrote their songs.

I personally am not a great fan of the Beatles, however, I can appreciate that their originality and the groundbreaking nature of their music at the time. I am not sure that we wouldn't have pop music at all now; it's just that it might have been a little bit slower coming to the fore.

Answer 4

Ok, i was not around in the 60's. The Beatles had split before the 70's, so obviously you weren't there to see that. I put some beatles songs down because, although they were popular songs at the time, the obviously are not anymore. I don't care how much you love the Beatles, you have to except that not every beatles song has stood the test of time. Do you think people will be saying that the backstreet boys or britney spears are great in 20 years time? The Beatles were a pop band, and hence they were very popular, and very instrumental in the development of music back in the 60's. And lets not deny the fact that they wrote some classic songs that remain brilliant to this day. Songs like Yesterday, Let it Be, Hey Jude, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Lucy In The Sky, the list goes on. As it does with other popular artists like the Bee Gees or Michael Jackson, who as you say were influenced by the Beatles. But lets leave popular music in the age it was written for. I Want To Hold Your Hand, Oh-Bla-Di Oh-Bla-Di, Love Me Do, Drive My Car, etc etc the list goes on. These are popular songs, not classics. They don't fit into a modern world. So people like me criticise you for not realizing this. Accept it that while the guys were hugely instrumental not every song they wrote was "good music".

Answer 5

first off, i listen to a lot of music, and ive never, EVER heard of Paul Weller. so there's one thing...
second, just because someone wasn't present during a period of time does not mean that they cannot appreciate or understand that time. i abhor this trend of older generations, continually telling younger generations, "oh man, you cant know, you werent THERE." well, that's true to an extent, but you can't monopolize the past for the purpose of subordinating the present generation.

that being said, i love music, from any period of time, whether i was present or not. and i love the beatles. i think part of the reason that the beatles are not as respected as they should be is because the main place where children nowadays learn about them is in classrooms, or hazy recollections from their parents (or grandparents now) about "the good ol days." theyre not seen as having anything to say in the current dialogue of music because simply: they created many of the phrases. theyre not recognized as one of the primary innovators of modern music because the lessons they taught us have become innate.
no one of consequence is questioning the validity or the influence that the beatles have had over modern music and society, and I would suggest not giving much heed to any unscrupulous individuals who seek to defame something that they are simply ignorant of. and that goes for anything.

Answer 6

The Beatles Rocked the 60s and 70s

Answer 7

I was around in the Beatles era and I loved their music. They have so many different styles. But it is a matter of taste I also like opera arias, much to my daughter's embarassment
The Beatles did influence many other artists..

Answer 8

I was not around in the 60's but like the Beatles. Their music will go on forever.

Answer 9

How can anyone possibly compare Weller and the Beatles? Have you heard "Start" by the Jam? Enough said.

Answer 10

Technological disadvantages and age. For the most part I think theyre brilliant and they have some songs that are great for people who are just learning to play an instrument - plain and simple yet addictive. Besides theyve been called THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD many many times!