Why are the Beatles so Popular?

[defcon 1]

One thing that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me is why the Beatles band is one of the best if not, THE best. I'm serious, I can't figure it out. I listened to it at a friend's house and didn't see any reason to like it. Before you all burn my house down, I had the same feeling Yahtzee had when he played Halo 3. It wasn't bad but I felt that it wasn't incredible either. I saw no remarkable features or any reason to place it anywhere near the great ranks of those such as: Led Zeppelin, The Doors or Van Halen. What makes the Beatles so great?

For the love of God, don't give me the same old rhetoric: "Because they're the greatest band of all time" or "because everyone else likes them(everyone else says the same thing)." Upon further questioning of everyone else I asked, none of these people have any reason for enjoying it. I question whether or not most people just say they enjoy it because everyone else does. Since it sold allot of albums and gets allot of praise, there has to be at least one reason. Why are they so popular?

 

[zen5887]

They were the first band to do what they did. There was nothing else like it at the time and their influence was (appart from the who imo) the biggest in rock history.

 

[soul_rune1984]

Why are they great? That IS a good question. And the answer may be different for different people. For me, it's the fact that they didn't stick to one sound, George and John were amazing song writers. Many of their songs are about how beautiful the world can be if you look at it the right way. They inspired hope, and comfort during dark times. That is what made them great for me.

 

[Larenxis]

They make high-quality catchy music. I don't care very much for their lyrics, but the melodies are fantastic. They had a great synchronicity and charisma as well as generally cheerful songs. I'm more of a rocker than a mod, but I still sing 'Revolution' when I get the slightest inclination. Although I find myself liking their songs less and less as time passes (and I'm overwhelmed by 'Across The Universe' fangirls).

 

[EnzoHonda]

First, I only like a few Beatles songs. I think they're popular because they did it first, and, more importantly, are recognized as being the first. Something with them just clicked for people all over the world. I'd also say that they were the first Boy-band decades before we even knew we were supposed to hate Boy-bands (c'mon, four guys with the same haircut singing "I wanna hold your hand"? Even N'sync didn't do that). When a band full of guys is loved by ever girl on the planet, that band tends to do well.

Finally, I think it's because their music is generally inoffensive. It's not too loud or hard core, not too quiet or soft. It's that middle-ground that so many people love and it's easy to understand.

Personally I think the greatest band of all time is Pink Floyd. It's complete aural majesty, but it's also not pop-like or "easy." Sometimes it's down-right weird, it doesn't lend itself to the mass popularity of The Beatles.

 

[Saskwach]

There's no arguing over taste.

 

[GoddamnitReddas]

I don't know why other people like them, but I can assume it's either because A. it is appealing to them, or B. everyone else likes it and they just want to fit in.

I think the Beatles sound nice, so I like them. That's it.

 

[scoHish]

The Beatles had the amazing talent of staying with the times, not only with their sound, but with their lyrics. In their early years, their songs were slightly shallow in their meaning, but sounded good and thats all that mattered to the teenage pop fan base. But as the Beatles and their fans grew older so did their songs. Without their ability to invent and stay current, the Beatles would have barely made a ripple in their time, let alone the current generation. Either that, or it could be simply be that a good deal of their music is wicked catchy...

 

[Razzle Bathbone]

"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" era Beatles =\= "Revolver" era Beatles.

 

[Copter400]

If your list of favoured bands includes Led Zeppelin, it might be a taste thing. Don't bother your head about it.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

Time, they were the right thing in the right place at the right time

that is correct, they were like hulk hogan was to wrasslin (as opposed to real wrestling) he just had the charisma and was there at a good time

now as for the beatles appeal it's because their tunes were catchy, very simple chords and simple lyrics at the beginning and then they evolved and modified their sound without totally changing it

a lot of bands with staying power have that, there's a certain set of chords that people really pick up on and really enjoy.

they were also hyped up a lot and a bit rebellious, their "long" hair was something not seen, much like Elvis and his hip swinging when he became popular.

there are many other bands like that thru the years, but however we've been so inundated by bands and "pop" music that it's hard to keep one at the top.

in the 60s there wasn't that, sure they had their share of one hit wonders but for the most part there wasn't as many bands trying for their share of the pie or as many genres of music

there's a lot of reasons for them to be popular and keep that popularity over the years.

tho the right place at the right time with the right sound really applies to them

nirvana would be like that if they stuck around, smells like teen spirit is still in the top 10 list of greatest alternative songs ever

tool is another that will be like the beatles in the years to come

pearl jam would possibly be too if they hadn't snubbed making videos and such

 

[end_boss]

Music is just one of those things where everybody's opinions will always differ. I love the Beatles, personally. I love a lot of different genres, but I absolutely hate R&B, most rap, hip hop, and I'm on a love-hate relationship with country music. Some country songs are among my favourites, while you couldn't pay me to listen to others. Some people spend hundreds of dollars on a stereo system for their car so they can blast hip hop songs that I consider a form of torture. I'm not a racist until I watch hip hop videos and want to kill everybody on the screen.

I like the Beatles. I also like some punk music, but hate some punk music, too. How popular is Green Day, and I can only think of maybe one or two songs of theirs that don't make my eyes implode.

Not everybody is going to enjoy the Beatles, and not everybody is going to think they're the greatest band of all time. However, you look at certain bands/artists/groups and see how much they can impact the music scene, or even define an entire generation, and that tends to be how we come closest to objectively identifying what a "great band" is. I have some friends who HATE Nirvana, and they're probably my favourite band. Another one of my favourites is Flogging Molly, but it's rare I even encounter anybody who has heard of them. Another one of my favourites is Hole, and my friends have decided that they hate them, even though they haven't even heard one of their songs.

Why are the Beatles so popular? Because they appeal to a large number of people. It might not appeal to you, so how are we supposed to explain it?

 

[BaronAsh]

I don't care what any of you say Elvis was better and more influential

 

[jezz8me]

the Beatles had amazing concepts and harmonies and were genius at putting songs together. They had a technical song writing talent you have to admire. They put amazing stuff into a pop palatable format.

Personally the bands OP listen are not that good to listen to IMO but i do respect the musicianship of Led Zep, The Doors and Van Halen. This is something people should learn. Fine don't like what you hear but respect technical talent and influence.

 

[twilight_dweller]

I don't really know. As band's go they're pretty good. But it's not like they were Frank Sinatra cloned into 4 beings.

 

[sammyfreak]

Many of the above reasons are true, but you forgot that their manager was a genious, much more then any individual band members musical skill did he influence their popularity.

 

[Joeshie]

Beach Boys are superior.

That's right, I said it.