The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Rolling Stone ^ | August 26, 2018 | Rob Sheffield

[Steve_Seattle]

"I honestly cannot stand this song."

Back in the day, it was one of my favorite Beatles songs, but I have since come to detest The Beatles and their impact on rock music.

The Beatles were the key figures in transforming rock 'n' roll from teenage music - school and cars and girls and dating and dancing and swagger - to pretentious "social commentary" and world-weary angst and psychedelic mumbo-jumbo and intellectual pretentiousness.

Their lyrics and music were "clever" but rarely - if ever - profound or lasting, and I got sick of them. Sixties era producer/songwriter Bert Berns reportedly said of The Beatles, "These boys are genius, but they'll be the ruin of us all." And I'd say that rock 'n' roll is truly dead.

[Steve_Seattle]

"And they really did change everything (culture-wise)."

I think they changed things musically, for sure, but they weren't the leaders of the cultural shift. The Stones and other bands, and non musicians, got there first, and The Beatles eventually joined in. Because of their enormous fame, they sometimes got credit for stuff - musical and social - that others had done first or at about the same time.

[MisterArtery]

I second your opinion.

[daler]

Larry Lujack...John "Records" Landecker...

The only time I would switch away from 89 was to go "Beeker Street" with Clyde Clifford on KAAY Little Rock, also loud & clear at night in MN.

Great radio days, golden age of pop and rock.

[Ammo Republic 15]

Oh man, I well remember Beeker Street and Clyde Clifford...always that spooky music in the background.

[Mean Daddy]

Both Smothers and Frost. Due to technology differences in Britain vs. the US, two recordings were made.

[Ammo Republic 15]

Okay, so I wasn’t totally wrong...I was considered “the Beatles expert” back in the day.

[cowboyusa]

I like Revolution better. Awesome guitar's, and probably the greatest Conservative song ever.

[sushiman]

“I honestly cannot stand this song.

Worst Beatles song.”

Let It Be just as bad lol !

[Col Frank Slade]

TAXMAN !!

[Does so]

Yep, in a queer, nasty, drugged out way.

Well, yes. I didn't understand many of their later songs.

But 50 years ago, in transit across Europe to a new Navy duty station, two ship-mates and I sang along with "Hey Jude" during three days of driving. (Armed Forces Radio, among other stations).

'Still a favorite of mine. :)

[cowboyusa]

Abbey Road is the best album ever. Then they broke up and ended at the perfect time.

[sushiman]

Taxman great song . Lennon and McCartney’s lyrics overall were pretty banal . George wrote this . 1965-1966 ( Help to Revolver ) my fave period . Didn’t much like anything they did after Revolver . Prior to 65 mostly teeny bopper music compared to The Stones and The Kinks . Without George Martin and Brian Epstein they never would have made it as big as they did .

[bgill]

Worse than Yellow Submarine?

[wardaddy]

Wilson Pickets version at Muscle Shoals with Duane Allman on slide is as good of not better

Duane’s lead guitar solos at the end are in reality the birth of Southern Rock

http://www.openculture.com/2013/08/eric-claptons-favorite-guitar-solo.html

God (sir Eric) says it’s best rock guitar solo he’s ever heard

[bgill]

One morning in 2008, my favorite oldie station had suddenly gone Country. First student into my classroom hit the wall and angrily hollered they’d taken off his radio station. Couldn’t believe so many teens listened to oldies.

[nanetteclaret]

KLIF 1190 during the day. Ken Dow & Granny Emma, Jimmy Rabbitt, Johnny Dark.... I really liked The Beach Boys better than the Beatles. After about 1966 the Beatles’ music “did not have a good beat and you couldn’t dance to it.” Which was ironic, since their name was “Beatles” which would seem to signify having a good beat for dancing. But they left off making music for dancing and turned to music for navel gazing. :(

[Vaden]

I feel exactly the same way. I can’t stand it. There are so many other Beatles songs more worthy of the praise heaped upon this one.