OPINION: Why the Beatles are the best band of all time
The Beatles remain an iconic emblem for timeless music and have inspired fans across generations.
February 23, 2017
“Help, I need somebody,” once belted out the late John Lennon. “Let it be,” replied Paul McCartney. In the end, “Here comes the sun,” sang the late George Harrison, and though the band did not walk off into the sunset, their music will forever be at the top. The Beatles made the greatest music ever, and it will stay that way.
The band, made up of four English men, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, met in 1962 in Liverpool, England. They played anything from country (“Rocky Racoon”) to hard rock (“Revolution”) music, but mainly soft rock and pop music for the next eight years. They sang about peace, love, women, drugs, trips, and sometimes lyrics that did not even make sense (“Come Together”).
People on the internet can disagree that the Beatles were too mainstream and actually just stole music off other artists at the time. But tell me, how come the people they stole music off of are not the best-selling artists of all time? The Beatles have over one billion dollars in sales, and they did not even make it to iTunes until 2010 because of management and contracts.
So why do sales matter? Tell me what person on this earth buys music they do not like? If people are buying their music then they truly like it. The Beatles hold countless records for their music, including the most number one hits (20) and the most number one albums (19).
Noisey.com, an art, music, and pop culture magazine and website, argues that the reason they are not the greatest band ever is because they all hated each other. And sure, the Beatles were not fond of each other, but what does this have to do with music? Every band has disputes; they are a natural conflict of egos.
Other arguments I have seen online simply do not compete. Arguments like “Led Zeppelin made the best music.” Or “Jay Z made the best music ever.” Please tell me when they have the most certified platinum songs ever.
So the next time you hear a Beatles song, stop for a moment. Really listen to the lyrics, the music, and the masterpiece overall. A good place to start is their “1” album. You cannot go wrong with over twenty number one hits. It is time to appreciate the greatest music and greatest band ever.
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Nycitiman • Oct 17, 2020 at 8:00 pm
The beatles made the greatest albums ever! The best studio band of their time because of the bad technology. If they were here today they would destroy any band including the stones with todays technology. So yes they were the greatest ever as a band. The only one who is up there with them is Elvis Presley and he was better live on stage.
Mark smith • Jul 29, 2020 at 3:35 am
I agree with everything David says apart from queen having greater singers. Sorry even Freddie would have disagreed with that the charts have become a joke number ones on the billboard and uk charts with pathetic sales and free streaming any way it’s all opinion but a billion Beatles sales and counting can’t be wrong. Best wishes to all
David... • Jul 4, 2020 at 2:36 pm
but, they didi it… and are still doing it… chill!
LedZeppelinIsGarbage • Jun 10, 2020 at 3:41 am
LMAO Beatles haters again with the really braindead comments of “Average musicians”
The Beatles are the most cohesive unit in all of music. The four were Gods when they made music with each other. The four are the only band, artist for that matter, to branch out into so many genres under so little years. I had someone listen to 3 random songs by The Beatles and he said all three songs sounded really different. Tell me what band does that? Tell me what artist influenced those such as Pink Floyd and The Who. Tell me an artist who wrote songs for The Stones, who themselves stole a lot of concept art and style from The Beatles.
Since people like to sperg out the same argument over and over again, lets make an another argument. Which of all these bands you compare to The Beatles has better songwriters? That’s right, none. Also, which of these bands has a better bassist than Paul Mccartney? None. Which of these bands, other than Queen, has better vocalists than Paul or John? None (Robert Plant’s screeching doesn’t count as singing). Also, what are people on about calling Ringo Starr an average drummer?
Seriously, what band in just 5 years made 5 of the best albums ever made? Influenced so many artists that came after them? Created new concepts never thought of in music? None.
Peter Smith • Oct 17, 2019 at 9:45 am
…. And another thing…. Lol!
We live in a world where people want to belong to the majority. Cries of ‘How can you not like the Beatles’… In certain places it’s almost a criminal offence!
Original and unique Yes. The greatest No.
They were freash faced English boys who were in the completely right place at the completely right time. Whacked out as many catchy tunes as they could in a short space of time.
Peter Smith • Oct 17, 2019 at 9:04 am
All i hear about is how great they were at writing songs!
I don’t disagree about that, but they were very average musicians.
Peter Smith • Oct 17, 2019 at 9:01 am
Was Lennon a greater frontman then Robert Plant, Mick Jagger or Roger Daltrey?
Was Starr a greater drummer then John Bonham, Charlie Watts or Keith Moon?
Was McCartney a better guitarist then Jimmy Paige, Keith Richards or Pete Townshend?
No! So they weren’t even the best band of their era!!!
Brian Williams • Dec 31, 2021 at 5:12 pm
It’s clear you love Led Zip and the Stones. I get it it, I love LZ too. The Stones, meh. Sure Jagger is a great, in a freakish sort of way, front man. But both Lennon had more diversity and McCartney could belt it out (Oh! Darling) then drop panties with smooth and pretty vocals. But the overall band was miles above those in the combo of creativity, musicianship, songs, and most of the things that define an all-time great band.
Oh, and BTW, Paul was mostly a BASS player, one of the best in rock n roll.