Current Events > Were The Beatles better as songwriters or singers? What do you think?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I think they were quite a lot better as songwriters than singers, which is fine.

I'm not as enamored with their songwriting, and while they were definitely talented singers, I don't think they were as impressive as some of their contemporaries.

Just to be clear, I don't hate the Beatles, I'm not trying to be contrarian, I just think they are way over-rated. So much of their fame was the zeitgeist of the day.

Torgo posted...

Just to be clear, I don't hate the Beatles, I'm not trying to be contrarian, I just think they are way over-rated. So much of their fame was the zeitgeist of the day.

They were one of the first boy bands. Someone saw a bunch of edgy, leather jacket wearing punks who would do shit like nail flaming condoms to bar walls (look it up) and told them that if they got matching haircuts, put on some suits, and started singing about holding hands they would be rich and famous.

Definitely songwriters

Songwriters but at least they did both. Too many musicians these days don't write their own songs so I just call them performers not musicians.

Torgo posted...

So much of their fame was the zeitgeist of the day.

Then why has every generation that followed had a far number of fans that regard them in their personal top 10?

SiO4 posted...

Then why has every generation that followed had a far number of fans that regard them in their personal top 10?

Not only were they really good (and quite prolific), but they were so overexposed so more people knew/know about them than many of their contemporaries. Naturally they would be praised more.

I thought they were great songwriters (except Ringo) and even better singers (except Ringo).

I would describe their singing ability as perfectly adequate for the purpose, and their songwriting as unsurpassed.

Objectively better songwriters, regardless of whether one personally likes their songwriting or not

I think they were better songwriters BUT only after tripping out in India--changed their work completely. Their early boy band songs were shit but had catchy tunes.

LoveLikeJazz posted...

I thought they were great songwriters (except Ringo) and even better singers (except Ringo).

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8e7bd40f.jpg

indica posted...

Their early boy band songs were shit but had catchy tunes.

Strongly disagree.

s0nicfan posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8e7bd40f.jpg

Ha, yeah I've heard that. I'll never forget that quote.

SiO4 posted...

Strongly disagree.

So you like completely meaningless songs like Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You? Seriously? Are these deep lyrics for you?

indica posted...

So you like completely meaningless songs like Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You? Seriously? Are these deep lyrics for you?

They don't have to be deep to be good lol

s0nicfan posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8e7bd40f.jpg

While its completely true that shit was always coldblooded to me.

That aside anyone who doesnt recognize that they were really only outclassed by the Rolling Stones isnt giving them their due.

LoveLikeJazz posted...

Ha, yeah I've heard that. I'll never forget that quote.

John was famous for trolling reporters.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/399d054d.jpg

EDIT: Well, I guess they were all trolls
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/44bed80b.jpg

indica posted...

So you like completely meaningless songs like Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You? Seriously? Are these deep lyrics for you?

They describe important and near-universal experiences and feelings.

What kind of depth were you looking for?

Hm... yeah the Stones were amazing too. So were the Beach Boys, particularly Pet Sounds. They were top competition too up until then.

divot1338 posted...

That aside anyone who doesnt recognize that they were really only outclassed by the Rolling Stones isnt giving them their due.

and the beach boys, if you're going by musicality and writing. Although that was largely driven by Brian Wilson.

Songwriters. George had the spirit, Paul had the melody, and John had the philosophy.

s0nicfan posted...

and the beach boys, if you're going by musicality and writing. Although that was largely driven by Brian Wilson.

Yup Brian was the brain. Dude's deaf in one ear too, or near deaf, not sure.

s0nicfan posted...

and the beach boys, if you're going by musicality and writing. Although that was largely driven by Brian Wilson.

Nobody can touch the Stones. They crushed it from before stero was a thing until synthesizers were being used.

Theyve got classic rock albums, reggae albums, disco albums. country western albums.

SiO4 posted...

Then why has every generation that followed had a far number of fans that regard them in their personal top 10?

Because popular stuff that you get exposed to during your formative years sticks with you?

Why do members of Gen X love the old Loony Tunes shorts in the 1940s through the early 60s so much? - Because they played them in steady rotation during morning and afternoon cartoon time before GI-Joe, Scooby Doo, or Heathcliff.

divot1338 posted...

Nobody can touch the Stones. They crushed it from before stero was a thing until synthesizers were being used.

Theyve got classic rock albums, reggae albums, disco albums. country western albums.

And they are all resoundingly... okay.

Mick Jagger has a great rock voice, I'll give him that.

s0nicfan posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8e7bd40f.jpg

My favorite drumming in the band was done by Paul (Dear Prudence), but it seems like people who actually know about drumming will say that Ringo was better.

Torgo posted...

Because popular stuff that you get exposed to during your formative years sticks with you?

Why do members of Gen X love the old Loony Tunes shorts in the 1940s through the early 60s so much? - Because they played them in steady rotation during morning and afternoon cartoon time before GI-Joe, Scooby Doo, or Heathcliff.

I can't stand most 70' and early 80's radio rock.

Yet I liked Loony Tunes because it is quality shit.
Never cared for G.I.Joe at all. Scooby Do was okay, and I did like Heathcliff.

LoveLikeJazz posted...

They don't have to be deep to be good lol

That's true. I guess I just find them shallow and repetitive, so I wouldn't consider them good, but I also stated I thought they were catchy

The Beatles were great at creating albums. The best individual part of the band was Paul on bass.