Posted on 03/20/2018 9:24:23 AM PDT by llevrok
Like I said, everything up to “Exile on Main Street” went toe-to-toe with the Beatles. And “Some Girls” to me is the only post-Exile album that comes close to those earlier albums.
I was eight when the British Invasion landed. I watched the Beatles initial appearance on Ed Sullivan because everyone was intrigued (including my parents who didn't like them). I always liked them but I was never a big fan. That came about in the past few years.
My son was taking drum lessons and the teacher would have him listen to famous drummers, one of whom was Ringo. My son started asking me questions about him because his teacher said Ringo was the best accompanying drummer ever. About the same time, all the Beatles tapes had been re-mastered and released on CDs, so I bought a bunch and started listening. I was thoroughly impressed and kind of became a Beatlephile.
After listening to one of their early albums (Rubber Soul, I think), I told my wife it was like a greatest hits album. Her response was 'Aren't all their albums like that?' She has a point.
You're right that it is subjective. Other than actual longevity, I would give the Beatles the edge on just about every dimension. As musicians and songwriters, I think the Beatles are just better than the Rolling Stones who are quite talented in their own right.
I too love the harmonies of the Beatles. It makes a richness to their songs that others have a hard time matching. The Herman's Hermits and the Dave Clark Five had some nice harmonies as well from the British Invasion Era.
Actually, three of Paul’s creations influenced me quite a bit: Yesterday - a favorite of my Dad’s; Michelle, and Eleanor Rigby (both written mostly by Paul, but credited to Lennon-McCartney).
However, what set me off with Imagine was the day that I heard a modernist (liberal) Catholic priest cite the song in his homily (sermon) as though it were something wonderful - an incredible act of narcissistic stupidity. The obscene irony, of a Catholic priest ingratiating himself to a song that “imagines” how wonderful life would be without God, apparently did not matter to this liberal fool.
Clean and sober around 30 years. Married for a long time.
One of the good guys, in my view.
I'd throw Fool on the Hill in with them, too. McCartney wrote some great lyrics in this song which always elicit emotions in me. I will not listen to that song if I'm already emotionally down. Off the John and Paul songs, I'd add George's Something as a song with fascinating lyrics.
The obscene irony, of a Catholic priest ingratiating himself to a song that “imagines” how wonderful life would be without God, apparently did not matter to this liberal fool.
That is incredible. While I can dispassionately say that the lyrics of Imagine are impressively powerful, the song is the most evil song ever written. It is like critiquing a Joseph Geobbels speech. The delivery of the thoughts is impressive but the thoughts themselves are evil.
“While I can dispassionately say that the lyrics of Imagine are impressively powerful, the song is the most evil song ever written. It is like critiquing a Joseph Geobbels speech. The delivery of the thoughts is impressive but the thoughts themselves are evil.”
Thus, a perfect example of why people must be very careful of what music they listen to. Most people today will “hear” a song, but without consciously paying attention to the lyrics. Subconsciously, they then become programmed to gradually become indifferent to or agree with evil designs, while never realizing the manipulation that is in play against them. But subtle deception and slow seduction are two of Satan’s most effective tools, by which he walks souls down the road to Hell.
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