Why shouldn’t they pocket from it if they choose to? Not sure how that’s it’s any different to saying every pl footballer should be playing for charity after a couple of seasons…
I’m Yes, I play guitar, and have written a few songs.
Why do you ask?
The so-called New Beatles song is Not really a New Beatles song is it, A whole lot of new production and Technology have been used and added then the tag of the Beatles name added.
Look new music does not make a shed load of money anymore and people copying it from all over the internet happens. So add a charity and give the money to them gives the 2 Beatles who are still living more publicity and new fans will go and buy their back catalogue.
Most? Really? I doubt that. Some, obviously, but definitely not most.Because most that play or write music wouldn’t have some of the sentiments you put there. The chord progressions they used as well the recording techniques hugely influenced right across the spectrum both directly and indirectly.
Not liking the tunes is fair enough. The talent was both extraordinary and revolutionary though (both of them and George Martin).
Some things are best left where they belong.
They were very much of the time, wrote some good tunes but were massively overhyped, and remain so today.
Even McCartney said they were just a decent beat combo, and he was right.
Most of there stuff was either generic pop, or drug fuelled nonsense.
Add the scouse elevate and worship factor, and there you have it.
The original boy band, who had a bit of talent, but are no where near as good as people often suggest.
Right time, right place.
The matching suits, haircuts, etc, didn't happen by accident.
I find most of their well known material generic, populist jang a lang shite. They probably invented it.
They knew what they were doing, and I don't fault them for that.
I don't get the adulation, never have, never will.
How many bands did the beatles actually influence directly? Not many thankfully.
Having said that, each to there own, but not for me
Most? Really? I doubt that. Some, obviously, but definitely not most.
It's OK to not like the beatles, and I never doubted the talent, only a fool would do that.
I tried to express why they aren't for me, clumsily, maybe.
I don't think I disrespected them, or their fans.
It's just opinions mate.
I've said I will visit a couple of albums and maybe I'll change my mind, or offer a different perspective.
I'm looking forward to hearing what all the fuss is about ;-)
Great post.Wanted to reply to this as someone who loves music, writes music, plays music... and likes and respects the Beatles but doesn't count themselves as a Beatles fan. But still they were hugely influential in a whole load of genres and countless artists we know today would not be the same if they hadn't first heard Beatles music.
Overhyped? I kind of agree - I don't think their status as the best band of all time is proportionate to their talent. John and Paul were not incredible vocalists and probably not as consistent with their songwriting as many of the other greats in the field. Still highly ranked of course but just by virtue of so many considering them 'the best ever' they are a bit overrated in my eyes.
Generic pop? Well, largely because they shaped what we considered generic pop for years afterwards. At the time I don't think it was so generic.
Drug fuelled nonsense? Absolutely. A lot of their most iconic songs are just that, but I still think many of those have merit (and some are crap, admittedy).
I think yours is a harsh assessment personally. I don't know if any of them were incredible at their respective instruments but two or three of them had real, serious songwriting talent. I agree with you in some respects - their 'start writing a song and finish it by dinnertime at all costs' approach did produce some absolute shit. But then how many great bands haven't written some absolute shit? I'm a big fan of Queen and the first to admit that maybe a third of their catalogue is awful.
Anyway, I see where you're coming from and know that many agree with you, but I do think the Beatles are a bit hard done by in modern hindsight. I reckon if you could teleport 25-year-old Paul, John, George and Ringo into 2023 and let them run wild with modern tech they could come up with some all time great records.
Also, as an aside, I quite recently listened to the top 10 best-selling singles per year in the UK from 1950-2022 just to see how music has changed over time. Let me tell you, it was a massive relief when the first Beatles songs came on. There was really not a lot to go on before they turned up.
Well you've got me there, music theory is a mystery to me, I'm self taught guitar wise, as a lot of decent songwriters have been, over the years.Most would, unless they haven’t studied music theory and don’t realise they’re probably using progressions they came up with the first place. My point was more around you saying they were mainly generic pop and also saying they didn’t influence many bands, they’re just wrong sentiments.
Doesn’t mean you have to like their songs though, I’m quite selective with what I like of theirs too :)
Revolution in the Head is a great book for that - doesn’t mean you’ll like the songs more but it does make you appreciate them a lot more.
Thank you. I do think they're divisive for a reason! For reference, I'm not even old enough to remember George Harrison dying, let alone Lennon, and the first thing I knew Ringo for was being the narrator of Thomas the Tank Engine. So it's a strange subject for me.Great post.
I'll take all that as fair argument, you make some great points.
I imagine if you were a teenager when they came along then it must have been fantastic. (Not assuming you were!)
Like you said, there wasn't much else causing a stir at the time.
Maybe it's an age thing, I'm 56, so I don't remember that era, but I'm not that daft that I don't realise how important they were.
I have found though, that a lot of Beatles fans tend to be slightly blinkered with their adoration, a bit like die hard elvis fans. They get offended if you question anything, even in rational discussion.
It's an interesting subject though.
Really great post mate.
Well you've got me there, music theory is a mystery to me, I'm self taught guitar wise, as a lot of decent songwriters have been, over the years.
I'm happy with that, I have no ambitions to become a shit hot guitarist, I play for my own pleasure.
You're quite correct, what sounds like generic pop to me now, was fresh and different back then, I get that.