Why were the Beatles so popular?

Question

I've listened to them, I've heard what other people think, & they still sound tired & only for old people. How come people like them so much?

Answer 1

Well, we can't be too hard on Monster Markii for asking a question about Classic Rock in the Classical Music area. These days, unfortunately for classical music lovers, it's not an uncommon error.

On the other hand, I took a music theory class focusing on the music of the Beatles at a major US music school, so maybe it fits in after all. Paul McCartney was on friendly terms with the 20th century composer Luciano Berio, which was part of what led to some of the special sounds used in Sgt. Pepper & elsewhere.

Anyhow, I'm interested in your question, Monster. I'm curious to know what exactly makes the Beatles' music you've heard sound 'tired & only for old people'?

I mean, when I listen to say, Merengue, just about ANYTHING else sounds like it's at retirement age for various reasons. Can you describe anything in particular about the Beatles' sound that gives it that aging quality?

For the record, I'm a huge Beatles fan & always have been. But I'm even more interested in the way different people hear music.

Answer 2

They were initially very appealing visually, and had energy.

They did a lot of originals which were not based on the traditional and popular I VI IV V chord structure of doo wap era.

They Sang a lot of love songs.

They had Ed Sullivan promoting them and the group appeared on his CBS TV show several times.

'They had great management and promo.

They were prolific songwriters.

Ringo, though not flashy, was extremely even in rhythm.


George and John played contrasting strumming styles which when blended, gave that unique Beatles' sound.

They smiled a lot, a real lot! Women fell in love with them/

Their hair style attracted many women.

They did extensive and numerous tours for many years.

Their musical compositional styles changed, so that Rubber Soul became something unlike Meet The Beatles.

After they stopped touring and playing live they, nonetheless, still composed and recorded and having already had years of radio saturation, kept feeding their fans new music. This new music always evolved, because the four became more interested in world problems and their song topics reflected this.

John Lennon becomes popular after he left, and wrote several big hits which were anti war themed.Imagine is a standard, as is Give Peace a Chance. His wife, Yoko, was an interesting personality which Media loved to interview and castigate.

John was the brunt of Nixon 's distrust, and unsuccessfully had attempted to have John deported for many years, always in the news.

Paul started Wings, thus keeping his fans fed.

Ring's live shows and few hits while still with The Beatles kept his fans interested, and he appealed to youngsters on tv..
His jovial personality attracted his fan base for many years.

George wrote many songs Had had an Indy career.

John's having been murdered meant this group would never be able to join up again on revival. That, interestingly,. attracted more interest.

John had two performing sons, Sean and Julian.

The Beatles had more covereds songs than perhaps anyone else, and many became standards. Almost 60 became standards and million plus sellers.

The group made several movies with their music. They made nearly a billion dollars each, and were knighted in England.

YOU never knew what you would get with each album starting with Sgn't Pepper. Their varsity in song wring and performing was the antithesis of what management wanted, that is uniformity and consistency in sound from one song to another. Fans loved the variety, unheard of in pop music.

They inspired many young musicians to play and compose, outlasting everyone in originality except the Stones.

And the list continues.

Answer 3

I think the Beatles were so popular "back in the day" because no other artist or group had the same sound. Their style was very unique. Personally, I didn't like the Beatles when I was in my teens. Then I "discovered" them when Sgt. Pepper had its 20th birthday around the same time I had mine. Now I'm a freak. If you listen to the lyrics, they might sound kind of simple, but what they talk about is still relevant today.

Answer 4

Because their music was very fresh sounding and original. They were also very charming, intelligent and funny and the girls loved them. They managed to stay ahead of every trend in popular music at the time--nobody has been able to equal their influence. Most popular music today sounds like something else that has already been done.

You might not believe it, but there's music you like that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the Beatles. They influenced popular music and culture in a way that never happened before and will never happen again.

Answer 5

Cuz they're GOOD, dammit.

They could write a tune, used imagination in harmony and arrangement, understood form, had a sense of humor -- stuff that's hard to find in today's pop music.

Blackbird, Norwegian Wood, Something (greatest love song ever written), Come Together, Gotta Get You Into My Life, Rocky Racoon (funny funny song -- quirky like the Beatles), Lady Madonna, Eleanor Rigby, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, A Day in the Life, Help!, If I Fell Love With You, Lucy in the Sky, I Am the Walrus, The Fool on the Hill.........

Come on, man. How can you call that "tired"? These are timeless. And they had a huge impact and influence on all that came afterward. Listen and learn.

Answer 6

Do you feel the same about other music from that time period? They, Elvis and other artists of the time helped bring great changes about to music.

One of the great things about the Beatles was that they experimented with their music. They brought in non-traditional instruments and arrangements. The fact that they wrote there own music is huge. Many of today's popular artists have nothing to do with writing the songs they sing. Many can't play an instrument to save their lives.

For their time, the Beatles were fairly cutting edge and opened many peoples ears and minds up to new kinds of music.

I like their music because it is fun and upbeat - also it is very easy to sing along with and for the most part not angst ridden. To each his or her own.

Answer 7

How does this question fit into the classical music answer page? Should it be in the rock section? And the reason the Beatles were so popular was because they wrote catchy and good songs back in the 1960's and made it revolutionary in the history of rock music.

Answer 8

Because before the Beatles, teenagers had only people like Frank Sinatra and the like to listen to. there was no one else around that had made such music before. The music style was simple, catchy and unique as was the look (suits and 'long' hair). Parents didnt like the new style music which made it even more attractive to teens!!

Answer 9

They were very popular in their time. But celebrity is a passing fancy.

Answer 10

They sing really good music not garbage like metal, rap or hip hop.Grow up!