jeudi 16 octobre 2008

I (don't) heart the Beatles

Is it just me? I really hate the Beatles.

My friend in den Haag insists that the Beatles are the best thing ever to have been invented. He seems to imply that I am some kind of heathen living in a world devoid of love or emotion because I really don’t like them.

But really…she loves me yeah, yeah, yeah? Yeah, whatever.

Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band? Sergeant Pepper's bunch of nuisance arse more like.

I can’t stand their music, their voices, their films. It all makes me cringe. Makes me reach for the off switch. Makes me want to throw the radio out of the window.

So, I’m asking for your help.

I appreciate that I’m in a minority with this, and I don’t expect many of you to come out on my side in this argument - but please tell me that I’m not alone.

Help me to prove to him that I’m not musically challenged. Show him that there are other people out there who also don’t heart the Beatles.

Help!

37 commentaires:

Anonyme a dit…

Sorry, I'm with Conortje on this one. Not that I think they've made the best music ever, but it's nice to listen to.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Marjolein? How can you do this to me?

Hilary a dit…

I did love them growing up through the 60's and now there are still a few songs that I still like a lot, but there is nary a Beatles song on my iPod.

And no, you're not alone, my significant other despises them. With three sisters, he heard them constantly. Now he switches the radio to another station if one comes on.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Hilary...welcome and Yay! someone on my side...you're welcome back any time!

CawfeeGuy a dit…

OMG OMG OMG
i do not understand people's fascination with them...they're not AWFUL but they're certianly not the musical geniuses that they're alleged to be. i just don't get them AT ALL...they're up there with Billy Joel and Phil Collins as the most overrated musicians of the 20th century and the only thing i hate WORSE than the beatles is people COVERING the beatles; their crap was bad enough the 1st time.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Yay! CG I love you. If you weren't already married...

A Lewis a dit…

I agree with you, in spite of the fact that they stole our hearts with the music deal and that many of their songs are still around today. Nice to hum along to and all of that. But certainly, clearly, there is much other music that is more impressive. And easily there are more impressive things that have been created like: lubrication, tight t-shirts, low-rise jeans, flip flops, and the handsome men that go in them. Now there's something impressive!

Anonyme a dit…

Ehm... because I'm Dutch and brutally honest?

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Lewis! I can't believe you put lube in that list!

But hey, the Beatles OR lube, tight t-shirts and hot boys?

I'm guessing even my fab-four-fan-friend would find that decision difficult...

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Marjolein - touché, my lovely Dutch friend, touché! ;-)

Anonyme a dit…

I'm laughing so much at the idea that Phil Collins and Billy Joel are regarded highly in the music world. I hardly think they are rated let alone overrated.

Travelling, if you have an open mind I would be very happy to show you a little of why I love The Beatles so much, which I ensure you has nothing to do with She loves you, yeah yeah or indeed any of their films (although Yellow Submarine is beautiful).

I am perfectly fine with anyone not liking the Beatles it's just your extreme hatred that I don't understand.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Big C, it's not extreme hatred, it's just - I don't know what, almost a physical reaction. UB40 do exactly the same thing, if it's any consolation...!

But hey, my mind is open, I'll listen while you prove me wrong (which no doubt you will...).

And if it helps, I'm amazed that anyone is agreeing with me...

aims a dit…

Hooray!!! I think I love you!

Finally! Someone else who doesn't like the Beatles. I thought I was the only one. The only one to snap off the sounds immediately when one of their songs come on. And they CANNOT harmonize. They always sound out of tune to me. Oh lord - don't get me started here...

Hooray!! Now - I knew there was something about you......

Anonyme a dit…

they were a symbol of youth culture , their music and look were edgy. I loved Lennon and lusted after McCartney
Their music was diverse their anti- establishment take was great
You should listen to some of the real music they made and the lyrics
You dont have to love them ,its a matter of taste, I think Billy J only made one good record , but I dont hate him
Icons are hard come by unconstructed cultural ones a rarity

Nico a dit…

I am too young to remember how they became popular in the first place, wasn't around in the 60s for the most part.. Reviewing my conscience here.. Some tunes were catchy, like Can't buy me love.. But we've evolved a bit since then.. Heard it too many times, too.. They're history as a cultural phenomenon.. Vocally insignificant.. boy bands of today feature better vocals.. I too switch the station when they come on :-/

Breezy a dit…

Wouldn't like to weigh in on either side I'll just sit here on the fence

Daisy a dit…

You are not alone! My Dad hates the Beatles, he is a full on Stones man. I have to admit that I completely adore them though, they remind me of being little and singing Good Day Sunshine with my brother in the car.

Daryl a dit…

Early Beatles rocked literally but then they got into a lot of strange stuff and I lost interest ...

BUT even you have to admit they were pretty inventive for blokes outta Liverpool ..

:-Daryl

Anonyme a dit…

I do not heart the beatles. The only thing that I have found them good for is when learning the guitar. Because most of their songs only use about 3 chords. They are good basic beginners songs!

Swearing Mother a dit…

Hate the Beatles? How very dare you, Travelling.

The Beatles were simply the best band, ever. You just ain't listening to them properly.

Anonyme a dit…

Fascinating. I'm no Beatles fanatic at all and I think much of my ambivalence has to do with overexposure. But I just can't ignore how hugely important they were/are and how they work on so many levels.

The thing with the Beatles is that they never really put a foot wrong, they never faded, and they stuffed an enormously rich and varied career into a few short years.

Neil Tennant describes how successful acts go through an "imperial period", where they can do no wrong critically and commercially. With most acts then, this mutates into a less commercial phase but which is still popular with a certain audience, consolidated from time to time with a crossover track. PSB are a good example of this, as are Depeche Mode. But the Beatles' entire career was an imperial period. They never waned at all. So their music is ubiquitous; they are the standard by which others are judged.

Coming to the music later in life, I'm beginning to get over the over-familiarity and appreciate their craft, the knack for melody and the innovation. I certainly don't adore them, but they wrote the template for what followed.

And The Long and Winding Road, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something and Eleanor Rigby kick 98% of all other pop songs into a crooked hat.

Louise a dit…

I'm in shock. I hate the Beatles. I never tell anyone because they think I'm insane. I'm sure I hate them way more than you do, but I'm so relieved to find out you do, and apparently some other people out there, too. They were just a bit before my time, but my (your) whole generation loves them, and I never understood. The only thing worse than the Beatles is the solo acts that followed.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Aims, I knew we had more than cliffhangers in common! Let's move into a nursing home together when we're old and fight each other for the control of the zapper!

VM, I'm not denying the role they played in changing the face of music...I just don't like their songs.

Hey Nico, thanks for dropping by. I agree that catchy isn't always good - and that we have far greater quality these days...

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Breezy - not good enough! you have to take a side! No, really, I think sitting on the fence would be easier...if less comfortable

Daisy - now, the stones...that's better. I'm with your pa on this one...

Daryl, yeah inventive, but also blah.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

12ontheinside - well at least you got to learn guitar...this has to be a good thing, no? Welcome, btw...

Sweary - I'm hoping Conortje is going to educate me ;-)

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Eguinan, and here is where I say I don't heart you anymore. You give me a) PSB comparisons and b) the only beatles song that i really love - something. Although I prefer Shirley Bassey singing it...

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Louise, I knew we had more than Margaret Thatcher in common ;-)

The Hangar Queen a dit…

Can't say I'm a fan at all.However I have to say fair play all the same.Not bad for a gang of scallies.

Oh..and Cork in February is a defo.You're on the list.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

HQ, I agree that they've not done bad for a bunch of scallies...but really....

And Cork in Feb sounds like aplan. How funny will that be...?

Stew a dit…

I think the Beatles are excellent, but I can't bring myself to play any of their music. I know it ALL, and I know it too well.

Stew a dit…

ps: A rule of modern life from holymoly.co.uk -

The Beatles are dying in order of talent.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Stew, music sometimes gets like that for me too - I'll play and play an artist then it takes a year or so before I can go back to them....and I think the holymoly thing must mean sir paul must have a long life ahead of him still....

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Looks like a dead heat to me. Well, at least I know I'm not alone...

Anonyme a dit…

hehe Shirley Bassey Travelling - I believe that says it all :-) Don't worry, I still loves ya!!

What Enda said is very interesting - The beatles were only releasing albums for 7 years and look at the impact they made. I think a lot of people are over familiar with their singles but the funny thing is that most of their singles didn't even appear on their albums. They thought it was cheating fans to have the singles that they'd already paid for appear again on the album. The album tracks are generally much much better (in my opinion).

Breenlantern a dit…

you're not alone...the only song i ever liked was "Twist and shout" but otherwise...feh...you can have 'em...

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Big C, Dame Shurl is a legend. An absolute legend. And 'something' holds a special place in my heart...it was Kyoto, 2004, a dodgy piano bar and an indonesian pianist playing requests.....he murdered the song so beautifully.....

And it's true 7 years and the legacy - but if they hadn't been the first band like it, would the legacy still be there? are the tunes stronger than the role they play in history?

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Sean, I knew you'd be on my side ;-)