Gender: Unspecified Location: United Kingdom & Philippines
Beatles the comedians
The Beatles were expert comedians:
E.g. here some quotes:
Beatles Arrival In The U.S.
Reporter: How do you feel about teenagers imitating you with Beatle wigs?
John: They're not imitating us because we don't wear Beatles wigs.
Reporter: What do you call that hairstyle you're wearing?
George: Arthur
Reporter: Can you ever go anywhere unnoticed?
Paul: When we take off our wigs...
Reporter: Some of your detractors allege that you are bald and those haircuts are wigs. Is that true?
John: We're all bald. And deaf and dumb too.
Reporter: Do you ever think of getting a haircut?
George: No, love. Do you?
Reporter Where'd you get the idea for the haircuts?
John: Where'd you get the idea for yours?
Reporter Do you ever get haircuts?
George: I had one yesterday.
Ringo: That's no lie.
George: Honest, that's the truth!
Reporter: I think he missed!
Ringo: You should have seen him the day before!
Reporter: Do you wear wigs?
John: If we do they must be the only ones with real dandruff!
Reporter: Where do your hair-dos originated from?
George: Our scalps
Reporter: Where did you get your hairstyle?
Paul: From Napoleon. And Julies Caesar too. We cut it anytime we feel like it.
Ringo: We may do it now!
Reporter: How do you sleep at night with your hair so long?
John: Well, when you're asleep at night you don't notice!
Reporter: What excuse do you have for your collarlength hair?
John: Well, it just grows out yer head.
Reporter: What's the biggest threat to your careers: the atom bomb or dandruff?
Ringo: The atom bomb. We've already got dandruff
Reporter: Does your hair require any special attention?
John: Inattention is the main thing.
Reporter: How did you find America?
Ringo: We went to Greenland and mad a left turn.
Reporter: Have you heard about the 'Stamp out the Beatles' campaign in Detroit?
Paul: First off, we're bringing out the Stamp out Detroit' campaign!
More:
U.S.: Ringo For President
Reporter: Would you make them (the beatles) part of your cabinet?
Ringo: I'd have to, wouldn't I?
George: I could be the door.
John: I could be the cupboard.
Reporter: How come you were turned back by immigration?
John: We had to be deloused.
Reporter: The French haven't made up their minds about the Beatles. What do you think of them?
John: Oh, we like the Beatles!
Reporter: Do you speak French?
Paul: Non.
Reporter: You and the snow came to Washington today. Which do you think will have the greater impact?
John: The snow will probably last longer.
Reporter: What do you do when you're cooped up in a hotel room between shows?
George: We ice skate.
Reporter: You Beatles have conquered five continents. What would you like to do next?
Beatles: Conquer six!
Australia:
Reporter: What do you expect to find here in Australia?
John: Australians, I should think!
The right question is : if the Beatles aren't the most influential band in the world, who is ?
__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
No you don't want to answer because you know it's the Beatles. Who else ? Rolling Stones ? U2 ? Prince ? Led Zeppelin ? The Police ?
Not even close. The Beatles, end of story.
You can NOT measure influence, you simply can't. You know that. There is no scientific way to measure such a thing.
The only thing we can do however, is to compare different bands (their influence, their albums, their music, their hits, the airplay, the media attention, solo albums and so on) and see who comes out on top.
Here's a good quote :
The Beatles were the best-selling popular musical act of the 20th century. In the United Kingdom alone, they released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries: EMI estimated that by 1985, the band had sold over one billion discs.
And...
The Beatles were a major force behind the so-called "British Invasion" of UK-based popular bands in the United States in the mid-1960s and they helped to pioneer more advanced, multi-layered arrangements in pop music. The Beatles' impact extended well beyond their music. Their clothes, hairstyles, and statements made them trend-setters from the 1960s to this day, while their growing social awareness — reflected in the development of their music — saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
And did you know that Yesterday (not my favorite song) has been covered 3000 times ? If that isn't influence, I give up. That's only one song of the Beatles that has been covered.
Who hasn't covered the Beatles ? It seems almost everybody has at least covered one song of the Beatles :
- Echo & The Bunnymen
- U2
- Quincy Jones
- Soundgarden
- Ray Charles
- Stevie Wonder
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Elton John
- Jeff Beck
- Butthole Surfers
- David Bowie
- Sting
- The Rolling Stones
- Tina Turner
- Aerosmith
- Michael Jackson
- Tears for Fears
- Frank Sinatra
- The Grateful Dead
- Johnny Cash
- Nils Lofgren
- REM
- Arethe Franklin
- Elvs Presley
and hundreds more.
__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
Faulty question, because no matter who he says, for whatever reason, you will never believe it's anyone other than The Beatles. You would deny any possible alternative, despite any good reasoning, as I've seen you do before.
So no matter what he says, with all the reasonable backing, you'll never agree, because you simply disagree. So therefore asking him is stupid. You're asking him to prove something that A) Can't really be proven and B) You'll never accept.
Furthermore, lets not gloss over the fact that The Beatles are namedropped a lot because they are The Beatles. You say you can't measure influence, then you go on to name popular stats as backing. How many people have been influenced by Prince that don't go around touting it? The Beatles get a lot of their praise from the level of fame they achieved.
They were a band everybody could love, and that is most definitely a balanced talent, but it's not an achievement getting the general public, worldwide, to love you.
Britney Spears has done the same.
When you make music that isn't embraced by the mainstream, it's much harder to get recognition for your influence, so to say there's none more influential and then name lots of mainstream artists that aren't, is flawed. Smaller, meaningful influence is much better than globally affecting everyone a bit.
I've seen idiot kids cover Yesterday on kareoke nights in Mallorca, is that something we have to thank The Beatles for? When would you see them covering Faith No More? Never. But did Angel Dust give birth to...oh, most modern rock stylings that are considered innovative? Yes. Yet typical fans of The Beatles would sit there and say "That's why they're the most influential.".
If I believe Adam Jones is the best guitarist in the world, subjectively, me asking you who's better would be pointless, because I'll never agree. So I don't get why you're asking something similar.
"Who's the most influential?".
"I think...".
"No, The Beatles.".
It's a bit stupid. It's foolish to say "It can't be proven, but who do you think is? It's The Beatles and here's why.".
__________________ Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.
First mistake : you automatically assume that I would never believe it. Why not ? I’m a Beatles fan, not a Beatles fundamentalist. If somebody can name me a band or a singer songwriter that has had the same influence more or less, I would agree with it.
Really, like I care that much.
And this comes from you ? The pot calling the kettle black.
Second mistake : I didn’t ask him to prove it. I said very clearly we can not measure influence, so why would I ask him to prove it ?
Don't put words in my mouth.
Third mistake : you confuse your opinion (the Beatles are namedropped because they are famous, not because they made great music) with fact (the Beatles are namedropped because they have inspired hundreds of artists).
Wow, did I read that right ? It’s not an achievement getting the general public, worldwide, to love you ? I have to sit down now... Sure, no big deal, being the worlds popular band ever, I mean, so what ?
No she hasn’t. Not even close. The Beatles have split 36 years ago, and still they are very high in the hierarchy (popularity, selling...)
You know what ? Let’s continue this debate in 36 years, and see if Britney Spears has become the same pop icon as the Beatles.
I strongly disagree, but I think this is way off topic.
And I’ve seen drunk businessmen “sing” Sinatra I don’t know how many times. Do I have to to hate Sinatra now ?
True, I asked that. It’s a just hypothetical question, but you make a big deal out of it. It’s a reasonable question. Nobody dares to answer the question by the way.
No that’s not true. But I don’t see an alternative.
When I asked the question, it wasn’t my intention to automatically disagree with everything people say. If somebody would say : well I think this and that band or singer is also extremely influential because of this and that reason, I wouldn’t lose one nights sleep over it.
__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
Gender: Unspecified Location: With Cinderella and the 9 Dwarves
Well then. Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash.
Though that is not the point. If it came down to it I would probably vote for the Beatles as well. I am just saying it is ridiculous how we can not measure or even define influence correctly yet we argue about it all the time.
How dare you ! I STRONGLY disagree !! Blasphemy !!!!!
__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
We all hear music differently, so what I hear as influential you may not even have heard, let alone interpret the same.
Furthermore, you judge influence in an almost popularity-centered way, which includes people who like them, but I'll catch you on that one at the end.
We can all say "No, you did". It's petty, I'm disappointed.
You went so far as to tell him that he simply could not answer because he "knew" the answer was The Beatles, as if it is, infact, proven. As if he has the burden of proof.
Most fans of The Beatles can't go beyond anything you've displayed, and I've debated with many of them on these boards. It doesn't mean or prove that they were the most influential, it proves why you believe they are.
I didn't.
Your mistake: Assuming that because I said The Beatles are namedropped for status a lot (They are, fact), I believe that's the only place and reason they are revered. It's not.
Pot/Kettle right back at you.
If the opinions of the general public are something you hold in high regard then I understand why you'd hold that opinion. My Grandfather was around for Beatlemania, and loved The Beatles. He even had the pleasure of seeing them live, but he also said that Beatlemania was just that, mania. It was a fad, and they were seen as such.
They weren't nearly as revered for their music across the board back then as naive people today would believe. Everyone seems to assume that Beatlemania happened because everyone adored the music, not because 90% of the people screaming at the airports were girls who thought they were attractive.
And what does popularity and sales mean with regards to artistic...anything?
My point was that she's achieved global status and is loved and crazed over, or at least was, by millions and millions.
The Beatles may never be surpassed in terms of fame, why would I be foolish enough to deny that? I even like the band myself, but I consider them criminally overrated for all the wrong reasons. You find me a fan of theirs who can debate without mentioning frivolous details such as popularity and sales, and we can debate with them. Because when it comes down to music, PURE music, they can't be defended as you're defending them.
I'm not sure wherein you deduced that my example meant you have to hate The Beatles, it was to illustrate that this is the kind of proof Beatles fans have.
Despite the fact that I've told you, Whirly, Bakerboy and Electric Boogaloo that in context I believe it to be Faith No More, I'm not sure who else you're referring to.
Precisely, you don't see one. It doesn't mean there isn't, and it doesn't mean me sitting here giving you reason after reason as to why I believe it's Faith No More, would make you agree. You believe it's The Beatles and in my opinion nothing will ever sway you.
But you would argue against it, wouldn't you?
I have a question of my own. You listed artists that are influenced by/have covered a song by The Beatles, but for every one of those, I can name at least two bands that have been influenced by one of Mike Patton's bands be it consciously or obviously through listening to the music.
There may not be as many, and they may not be as known as Bowie or Sabbath, but I ask you; Do you consider The Beatles influence greater just because they've influenced such high status musicians as Bowie and Sabbath? As opposed to Mike Patton maybe influencing some well-known, but less praised bands?
First of all: to compare britney spears or faith not more with the beatles is just laughable.
Second: Mike Patton influence couldnt be compared with the beatles in any way.
And im tired of heard that thing about the beatles only were a group for tennaggers and a fan mania. Maybe in their early years they were it, but with more quality in their work. But with the end of the tours and when they concentrate in the studio work, their music work was incredible and amazing, same several of the things that they did in their solo careers.Albums like revolver , rubber sould, sargent peppers, abbey road, white album, etc or songs like strawberry fields forever, sargent peppers, hey jude, revolution, a day in the life, etc are gold and a clear influence for many and many groups.
But there are a lot of blind people that only can heard about she loves you and not about strawberry fields forever.
__________________ The beatles, best group ever.
John Lennon, Musical genius of all time
Helen Mirren and Julie Christie , most lovely british actresses of all time.
we should have a Rutles thread, considering the Beatles patterned their entire career after them
__________________ Land of the free, home of the brave...
Do you think we will ever be saved?
In this land of dreams find myself sober...
Wonder when will it'll all be over...
Living in a void when the void grows colder...
Wonder when it'll all be over?
Will you be laughing when it's over?