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Is RUSH better than the Beatles


losingit2k
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  1. 1. Is RUSH Better than The Beatles

    • Yes
      63
    • No
      39
    • The Same
      6


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I was thinking of this the other day and even though The Beatles were much more popular, accessible and have had much more hits than RUSH but were they actually better? Lets look at the facts. Rush is doing the same thing that the Beatles did with one less member. Their Music is much more complex. They are much better musicians. They have released much more albums than the Beatles. They've toured much more and remained together far longer than the The Beatles ever did. Now The Beatles were around during a time where Rock Music was basically still new and exciting where RUSH began during a time where ROCK music was in Transition to Metal and Arena Rock. The Beatles rode their wave and got off the Board while RUSH went back over and Over again riding different Waves. Now I understand that their wouldn't be any RUSH without The Beatles and that the Beatles were very influential during their career but RUSH has also given Birth to many other bands and I don't really think I need to mention their influence on Musicians everywhere. Anyway in conclusion I feel that RUSH even though marginalized are a much better band than The Beatles due to the reasoning above.

 

Please let me know how you feel.

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I'm getting tired of hearing people rave about how fantastic Beatles was. Yes they made some nice pop music, and rock music too. Most people forget how diverse their entire catalogue was. To me they were overrated and still is. Everything about Rush is better in my opinion; each member of Rush is a master of their trade whereas I think that each member of Beatles was mediocre, and together they created something good. But not great.

 

Beatles doesn't float my boat at all.

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beatles are one of the best bands ever but I'm not gonna try and compare and contrast between them and rush. no point. both great acts for entirely different things. personally, I like rush's music more though
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I love the Beatles, and they were monumentally important to music. But much of this depends on what we mean by better. I generally think of bands by musicianship, song writing ability, and influence. Rush obviously wins in musicianship, and the Beatles obviously win in influence. On song writing, I feel that Rush did more and for much longer, so I put Rush ahead by a nose. Edited by LedRush
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I love the Beatles, and they were monumentally important to music. But much of this depends on what we mean by better. I generally thing of bands by musicianship, song writing ability, and influence. Rush obviously wins in musicianship, and the Beatles obviously win in influence. On song writing, I feel that Rush did more and for much longer, so I put Rush ahead by a nose.

 

Yeah, songwriting is one area that I think Rush are underrated. All everyone talks about is their " chops".. They can write great songs.

 

I can't and won't compare the Beatles and Rush..Not going there.

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I listen to Rush way more, so I guess I'd have to say yes. The Beatles are definitely legendary, but they're just not heavy enough for my liking.
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'Better'?

 

I don't know. Both are great bands. Both are very influential, and both have produced a lot of great music, and have done what they want to do (other than what the music corporation wants them to do). I grew up on The Beatles and didn't get in to Rush until my pre-teens, so I'll always have a special place for The Beatles as the music of my childhood - glad I had them and not popular-at-the-time 80's music.

 

I think that for my own personal view, Rush is better. But to many they wouldn't be. I like that Rush has produced intelligent music, and prides itself on its musicality. I like that the members of Rush seem to be very decent guys with personalities and life outlooks that match my ideals quite a bit (if only Neil would stop smoking!) - The Beatles lost a bit of credibility when I learned about their drug use and rife between the band members. Thisi shouldn't add or take away from my enjoyment of the music, but for me, it does affect it. Rush just feels better to lsten to.

 

I really like The Beatles, and the wide-ranging catalog they have produced that I enjoy, but Rush just takes me to a good place - I feel better listening to them. I think if I had to choose between never listening to either group again, Rush would be the one that I would keep.

 

Another thing: I think The Beatles were in the right place at the right time. They had a lot going for them: the blossoming rock music scene they jumped onboard, their marketed looks and personalities, their catchy, well-crafted songs.... They were embraced as a hit. Rush has defiantly strided [is that a word?] along their own path, and won people over through their music alone. Their success is more of something pure and true, if this makes sense.Not to say that The Beatles are overrated - they are great in their own right - but that they had more going for them and so their success and popularity were easier.

Edited by Mika
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In my opinion Rush is better, hands down. They are better musicians and songwriters, that's for sure.

 

Yes, the Beatles had a greater influence on rock music, but I believe that came about more because of the time they were around; with rock music in its infancy in the early 60s it was much easier to make an impact.

 

Besides, I never liked the Beatles and I have loved Rush for years.

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I like that the members of Rush seem to be very decent guys with personalities and life outlooks that match my ideals quite a bit (if only Neil would stop smoking!)

 

Yeah, I feel the same way about him smoking :(

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I've seen a lot of posts here and there about Beatles being in the right place at right time. Has there really ever been a band with the amount of great songwriting as the Beatles? Even if they're not your cup of tea it's hard to argue that they're overrated. They would have been successful at any point IMO. Individually or together they had hits in 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s and paul has still had success in the 2 thousands. The real magic wasn't the timing, it's how did paul, George, John (and ringo) end up finding each other?
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I don't like these comparisons but I am the lone not better vote so far. The Beatles were instrumental in getting us from where we were in 1962 to where we are today.

I don't know about the Beatles getting us to where we are today. I think they definitely got the ball rolling and got us out of the 60's and into the early 70's sound but after their break up many other bands picked the ball and ran with it. Yes took what they started into the progressive arena. Jimmy Hendrix added a much harder edge which was later perfected by bands like Zepplin and Sabbath. Floyd and the Moody Blues expanded on their orchestrations and theatrics. I guess Zepplin handed off the ball to RUSH where they combined it with what the Progressive bands had developed earlier in the 70's creating Progressive Metal which has now influenced bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensryche to name a few. However, Beatles did have a more profound influence on the music world. Influencing many different aspects. If the Roots of rock and roll were the Blues, The Beatles would definitely be the Stem from which many other genres emerged. :codger:

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I don't like these comparisons but I am the lone not better vote so far. The Beatles were instrumental in getting us from where we were in 1962 to where we are today.

I don't know about the Beatles getting us to where we are today. I think they definitely got the ball rolling and got us out of the 60's and into the early 70's sound but after their break up many other bands picked the ball and ran with it. Yes took what they started into the progressive arena. Jimmy Hendrix added a much harder edge which was later perfected by bands like Zepplin and Sabbath. Floyd and the Moody Blues expanded on their orchestrations and theatrics. I guess Zepplin handed off the ball to RUSH where they combined it with what the Progressive bands had developed earlier in the 70's creating Progressive Metal which has now influenced bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensryche to name a few. However, Beatles did have a more profound influence on the music world. Influencing many different aspects. If the Roots of rock and roll were the Blues, The Beatles would definitely be the Stem from which many other genres emerged. :codger:

 

Think about how many bands in the late 60s, 70s, 80s have said that seeing/hearing the Beatles made them know what they wanted to do with their lives. And anyone after that was influenced by bands that were influenced by the Beatles. Even the idea of touring and merchandising was changed by them. Of course, they had their own influences and musical heroes but they really put it together and created magic.

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I don't like these comparisons but I am the lone not better vote so far. The Beatles were instrumental in getting us from where we were in 1962 to where we are today.

I don't know about the Beatles getting us to where we are today. I think they definitely got the ball rolling and got us out of the 60's and into the early 70's sound but after their break up many other bands picked the ball and ran with it. Yes took what they started into the progressive arena. Jimmy Hendrix added a much harder edge which was later perfected by bands like Zepplin and Sabbath. Floyd and the Moody Blues expanded on their orchestrations and theatrics. I guess Zepplin handed off the ball to RUSH where they combined it with what the Progressive bands had developed earlier in the 70's creating Progressive Metal which has now influenced bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensryche to name a few. However, Beatles did have a more profound influence on the music world. Influencing many different aspects. If the Roots of rock and roll were the Blues, The Beatles would definitely be the Stem from which many other genres emerged. :codger:

 

Think about how many bands in the late 60s, 70s, 80s have said that seeing/hearing the Beatles made them know what they wanted to do with their lives. And anyone after that was influenced by bands that were influenced by the Beatles. Even the idea of touring and merchandising was changed by them. Of course, they had their own influences and musical heroes but they really put it together and created magic.

Oh I agree and in a relatively short time as well! The Beatles was one if not the most influential bands in rock history. I'm not trying to marginalize them in the least. I'm just attempting to raise RUSH to their level if not beyond. I believe there are many aspects that both band share. Influence being a major one. :codger:

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I like that the members of Rush seem to be very decent guys with personalities and life outlooks that match my ideals quite a bit (if only Neil would stop smoking!)

 

Yeah, I feel the same way about him smoking :(

 

Alex still smokes, and they all still smoke pot. Their drug use was very similar to McCartneys.

Edited by LedRush
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Ok I'm not going with "Greatest Band Ever" but this is interesting.

 

 

http://www.hooksandh...-greatest-ever/

 

20 Reasons the Beatles are the Greatest Band Ever

 

June 29, 2008 102 Comments

 

http://www.hooksandharmony.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/beatles-four-heads.jpgEvery once in a while, I meet someone who just doesn’t get the Beatles, or who doesn’t even like them.

I try to keep an open mind about this, since there are some groups that I simply don’t get, either (see myJoy Division issues). David Bowie? Yeah, I can understand that. Bob Dylan? Sure. But The Beatles? Come on.

Here are 20 reasons why the Beatles are the greatest band ever:

  • During the week of April 4, 1964, The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the Hot 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the no. 1 position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the no. 1 position in the British EP chart, – the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history. Today, you’re lucky to have one top 10 album and single at the same time.

  • To date, the Beatles have sold over 1 billion records. That’s billion, with a B.

  • They have the most no. 1 albums in the British album charts (15), and 17 No. 1 hits.

  • They hold the record for the group with the longest span between no. 1 albums in the Billboard albums chart (36 years and 51 weeks, 1964 to 2001). In 2000 – 20 years after John Lennon was killed, their greatest hits compilation, 1, spent eight weeks at no. 1 and sold 13 million copies in its first month of release.

  • They boast 20 No. 1 hits in the United States, (19 No. 1 albums), with 24 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1964 to 1976 (six years after they broke up), a record for a group. They also have 12 no. 1 hits in Germany, 23 in Australia, 21 in the Netherlands, 22 in Canada, and 13 in Malaysia.

  • According to the United World Chart, the Beatles have 16 of the 100 most successful tracks of all time, and also 7 of the 100 most successful albums in history.

  • The Beatles recorded four of the Top 10 Greatest Albums of All Time, according toRolling Stone magazine, and three of the Top Five. (I will ignore the fact that Abbey Road was only No. 14. Blasphemy.)

  • They were ground-breaking pioneers almost from the beginning, being the first group ever to employ feedback in 1964′s “I Feel Fine.” One of their first hits, “A Hard Day’s Night,” features an opening chord so revolutionary that people are still trying to figure out. 1965′s Rubber Soul and the follow-up, Revolver, saw more innovation, from the use of a sitar in “Norwegian Wood” to tape loops in “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Then there are the backwards vocals in “Rain” (a first) and a Moog synthesizer on several songs on 1969′s Abbey Road.

  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band is arguably the greatest album ever made(indeed, it topped Rolling Stone‘s list). While it doesn’t have the strongest material, the album was a landmark in recording. It popularized the concept album – something that would serve as inspiration to The Who and Pink Floyd.

  • “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper may have been the crowning achievement of the group – a five and a half minute song composed of two suites – one by Lennon, one by Paul McCartney – that are totally different in sound and texture, yet complement each other perfectly. The song features two cacophonous crescendos from an orchestra, the final one climaxing in a single E major piano chord that lasts 42 seconds.

  • One may not like songs such as “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” but they are unrivaled in their popularity, and the melodies are unforgettable.

  • Paul McCartney actually dreamed the tune to “Yesterday.”

  • “Helter Skelter” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” are considered two of the first heavy metal songs.

  • They have 23 of the Top 500 songs of all time, again according to Rolling Stone - the most of any artist.

  • Their iconic No. 1 singles notwithstanding (“Love Me Do”, “From Me to You”, “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “I Feel Fine”, “Eight Days a Week”, “Ticket to Ride”, “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “Day Tripper”, “We Can Work It Out”, “Paperback Writer”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Eleanor Rigby”, “Penny Lane”, “All You Need Is Love”, “Hello, Goodbye”, “Lady Madonna”, “Hey Jude”, “Get Back”, “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, “Something”, “Come Together”, “Let It Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”), some of their best songs weren’t even on any singles or B-sides: “I Should Have Known Better,” “You Won’t See Me,” “For No One,” “Across the Universe,” “Two of Us,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Because” are all just album filler.

  • They revolutionized the science of recording, using multiple tracks instead of playing live. Producer George Martin used varying tape speeds to make Lennon’s voice sound high (“Tomorrow Never Knows”) and slow (“Strawberry Fields Forever”); he also brought in string musicians to accompany certain songs (“Yesterday”). In another session, McCartney utilized bass drums halfway down a corridor to achieve a staccato sound in “Mother Nature’s Son.”

  • In an age where other people wrote songs for the flavor of the day – think the Brill Building songwriters doing all the work for the Shangri-Las and the Dixie Cups – The Beatles surprised everyone by penning their own hits from the beginning. As a result, they helped usher the singer-songwriter movement that popularized the late 1960s.

  • Their ability to cross over from media and teen idols to musical innovators is one-of-a-kind. Their chart success is unparalleled; but despite their popularity, they managed to continue to improve throughout their career.

  • Their place in popular culture is unrivaled – Their movies, their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (in which they played to 74 million people), the “bigger than Jesus” comment, the refusal to play in concert after 1966, the Maharishi, the painstaking production work, the beginnings of the drug culture and LSD fad, “Helter Skelter” and Charles Manson, the “Paul is Dead” phenomenon, Yoko Ono, the rooftop concert, the cover of Abbey Road, the subsequent solo years, and the hit singles created from rough demos of the late Lennon.

  • They accomplished all this in seven years.

Edited by calirush
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Every once in a while someone comes up and lists qualities like "complex music" and "musical chops": by those qualities alone, probably Rush should be the greatest band in the world. But I don't agree with this kind of analysis. You got to add to the plate the impact the music had in people's lifes. And in that, the Beatles are alone.
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Ok I'm not going with "Greatest Band Ever" but this is interesting.

 

 

http://www.hooksandh...-greatest-ever/

 

20 Reasons the Beatles are the Greatest Band Ever

 

June 29, 2008 102 Comments

 

http://www.hooksandharmony.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/beatles-four-heads.jpgEvery once in a while, I meet someone who just doesn’t get the Beatles, or who doesn’t even like them.

I try to keep an open mind about this, since there are some groups that I simply don’t get, either (see myJoy Division issues). David Bowie? Yeah, I can understand that. Bob Dylan? Sure. But The Beatles? Come on.

Here are 20 reasons why the Beatles are the greatest band ever:

  • During the week of April 4, 1964, The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the Hot 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the no. 1 position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the no. 1 position in the British EP chart, – the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history. Today, you’re lucky to have one top 10 album and single at the same time.

  • To date, the Beatles have sold over 1 billion records. That’s billion, with a B.

  • They have the most no. 1 albums in the British album charts (15), and 17 No. 1 hits.

  • They hold the record for the group with the longest span between no. 1 albums in the Billboard albums chart (36 years and 51 weeks, 1964 to 2001). In 2000 – 20 years after John Lennon was killed, their greatest hits compilation, 1, spent eight weeks at no. 1 and sold 13 million copies in its first month of release.

  • They boast 20 No. 1 hits in the United States, (19 No. 1 albums), with 24 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1964 to 1976 (six years after they broke up), a record for a group. They also have 12 no. 1 hits in Germany, 23 in Australia, 21 in the Netherlands, 22 in Canada, and 13 in Malaysia.

  • According to the United World Chart, the Beatles have 16 of the 100 most successful tracks of all time, and also 7 of the 100 most successful albums in history.

  • The Beatles recorded four of the Top 10 Greatest Albums of All Time, according toRolling Stone magazine, and three of the Top Five. (I will ignore the fact that Abbey Road was only No. 14. Blasphemy.)

  • They were ground-breaking pioneers almost from the beginning, being the first group ever to employ feedback in 1964′s “I Feel Fine.” One of their first hits, “A Hard Day’s Night,” features an opening chord so revolutionary that people are still trying to figure out. 1965′s Rubber Soul and the follow-up, Revolver, saw more innovation, from the use of a sitar in “Norwegian Wood” to tape loops in “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Then there are the backwards vocals in “Rain” (a first) and a Moog synthesizer on several songs on 1969′s Abbey Road.

  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band is arguably the greatest album ever made(indeed, it topped Rolling Stone‘s list). While it doesn’t have the strongest material, the album was a landmark in recording. It popularized the concept album – something that would serve as inspiration to The Who and Pink Floyd.

  • “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper may have been the crowning achievement of the group – a five and a half minute song composed of two suites – one by Lennon, one by Paul McCartney – that are totally different in sound and texture, yet complement each other perfectly. The song features two cacophonous crescendos from an orchestra, the final one climaxing in a single E major piano chord that lasts 42 seconds.

  • One may not like songs such as “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” but they are unrivaled in their popularity, and the melodies are unforgettable.

  • Paul McCartney actually dreamed the tune to “Yesterday.”

  • “Helter Skelter” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” are considered two of the first heavy metal songs.

  • They have 23 of the Top 500 songs of all time, again according to Rolling Stone - the most of any artist.

  • Their iconic No. 1 singles notwithstanding (“Love Me Do”, “From Me to You”, “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “I Feel Fine”, “Eight Days a Week”, “Ticket to Ride”, “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “Day Tripper”, “We Can Work It Out”, “Paperback Writer”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Eleanor Rigby”, “Penny Lane”, “All You Need Is Love”, “Hello, Goodbye”, “Lady Madonna”, “Hey Jude”, “Get Back”, “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, “Something”, “Come Together”, “Let It Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”), some of their best songs weren’t even on any singles or B-sides: “I Should Have Known Better,” “You Won’t See Me,” “For No One,” “Across the Universe,” “Two of Us,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Because” are all just album filler.

  • They revolutionized the science of recording, using multiple tracks instead of playing live. Producer George Martin used varying tape speeds to make Lennon’s voice sound high (“Tomorrow Never Knows”) and slow (“Strawberry Fields Forever”); he also brought in string musicians to accompany certain songs (“Yesterday”). In another session, McCartney utilized bass drums halfway down a corridor to achieve a staccato sound in “Mother Nature’s Son.”

  • In an age where other people wrote songs for the flavor of the day – think the Brill Building songwriters doing all the work for the Shangri-Las and the Dixie Cups – The Beatles surprised everyone by penning their own hits from the beginning. As a result, they helped usher the singer-songwriter movement that popularized the late 1960s.

  • Their ability to cross over from media and teen idols to musical innovators is one-of-a-kind. Their chart success is unparalleled; but despite their popularity, they managed to continue to improve throughout their career.

  • Their place in popular culture is unrivaled – Their movies, their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (in which they played to 74 million people), the “bigger than Jesus” comment, the refusal to play in concert after 1966, the Maharishi, the painstaking production work, the beginnings of the drug culture and LSD fad, “Helter Skelter” and Charles Manson, the “Paul is Dead” phenomenon, Yoko Ono, the rooftop concert, the cover of Abbey Road, the subsequent solo years, and the hit singles created from rough demos of the late Lennon.

  • They accomplished all this in seven years.

I still don't like them, though! They are one of those bands, along with Pink Floyd, where I can appreciate their achievements and understand why people like them, but just don't like the songs or their music. I feel like I'm missing out somehow! There are so many musicians that I do like who were influenced by those bands. Occasionally I'll put on some of the Beatles' (or Floyd's) music- just to see if maybe I'll grow into it, but I never do. :(

 

So for me, there is no contest- Rush wins!

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You know thats an interesting and funny question. Are Rush better than the Beatles..

 

Rush are undoubtedly my fav band who've had an amazing impact on my life these guys who ive never met are like family to me, but...

 

Are they 'better' than the Beatles?

 

Course not. Dont be silly.

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The Beatles accomplishments were done at a time when the full music P.R machine was still in its infancy.. You could argue that the reason they had do many hits and huge record sales was because the competition was lacking.. Seriously, who else was around to compete with them? They were the first big band.. Right place, right time..

 

And I use this argument only for the " hits and record sales" aspect of their career.. Whenever anyone talks about how many hits they had, well yeah, they were the only show in town

 

This is a great example of what I'm talking about..

 

During the week of April 4, 1964, The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the Hot 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the no. 1 position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the no. 1 position in the British EP chart, – the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history. Today, you’re lucky to have one top 10 album and single at the same time.

 

 

1964! Who was competing with the Beatles in 1964?

 

Just to clarify, I adore The Beatles, and get their impact, I just like stirring the pot on occasion :)

Edited by Xanadoood
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What a ridiculous poll. I can't believe the Swami actually got serious with it. How can anyone truly be serious in this thread? I mean, The Beatles only revolutionized popular music, were truly innovative pioneers, and were genius tunesmiths. Rush is great for so many other reasons.

 

Okay.. these are my two favorite bands ever, and I'm probably not alone, so it's one of those which child is your favorite questions. It's my personal ultimate musical apples to oranges question.

 

Besides, the world- nay, the universe votes Beatles. And many people, nay- beings (including this human being) could not vote.

 

:smoke:

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Ok I'm not going with "Greatest Band Ever" but this is interesting.

 

 

http://www.hooksandh...-greatest-ever/

 

20 Reasons the Beatles are the Greatest Band Ever

 

June 29, 2008 102 Comments

 

http://www.hooksandharmony.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/beatles-four-heads.jpgEvery once in a while, I meet someone who just doesn’t get the Beatles, or who doesn’t even like them.

I try to keep an open mind about this, since there are some groups that I simply don’t get, either (see myJoy Division issues). David Bowie? Yeah, I can understand that. Bob Dylan? Sure. But The Beatles? Come on.

Here are 20 reasons why the Beatles are the greatest band ever:

  • During the week of April 4, 1964, The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the Hot 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the no. 1 position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the no. 1 position in the British EP chart, – the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history. Today, you’re lucky to have one top 10 album and single at the same time.

  • To date, the Beatles have sold over 1 billion records. That’s billion, with a B.

  • They have the most no. 1 albums in the British album charts (15), and 17 No. 1 hits.

  • They hold the record for the group with the longest span between no. 1 albums in the Billboard albums chart (36 years and 51 weeks, 1964 to 2001). In 2000 – 20 years after John Lennon was killed, their greatest hits compilation, 1, spent eight weeks at no. 1 and sold 13 million copies in its first month of release.

  • They boast 20 No. 1 hits in the United States, (19 No. 1 albums), with 24 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1964 to 1976 (six years after they broke up), a record for a group. They also have 12 no. 1 hits in Germany, 23 in Australia, 21 in the Netherlands, 22 in Canada, and 13 in Malaysia.

  • According to the United World Chart, the Beatles have 16 of the 100 most successful tracks of all time, and also 7 of the 100 most successful albums in history.

  • The Beatles recorded four of the Top 10 Greatest Albums of All Time, according toRolling Stone magazine, and three of the Top Five. (I will ignore the fact that Abbey Road was only No. 14. Blasphemy.)

  • They were ground-breaking pioneers almost from the beginning, being the first group ever to employ feedback in 1964′s “I Feel Fine.” One of their first hits, “A Hard Day’s Night,” features an opening chord so revolutionary that people are still trying to figure out. 1965′s Rubber Soul and the follow-up, Revolver, saw more innovation, from the use of a sitar in “Norwegian Wood” to tape loops in “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Then there are the backwards vocals in “Rain” (a first) and a Moog synthesizer on several songs on 1969′s Abbey Road.

  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band is arguably the greatest album ever made(indeed, it topped Rolling Stone‘s list). While it doesn’t have the strongest material, the album was a landmark in recording. It popularized the concept album – something that would serve as inspiration to The Who and Pink Floyd.

  • “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper may have been the crowning achievement of the group – a five and a half minute song composed of two suites – one by Lennon, one by Paul McCartney – that are totally different in sound and texture, yet complement each other perfectly. The song features two cacophonous crescendos from an orchestra, the final one climaxing in a single E major piano chord that lasts 42 seconds.

  • One may not like songs such as “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” but they are unrivaled in their popularity, and the melodies are unforgettable.

  • Paul McCartney actually dreamed the tune to “Yesterday.”

  • “Helter Skelter” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” are considered two of the first heavy metal songs.

  • They have 23 of the Top 500 songs of all time, again according to Rolling Stone - the most of any artist.

  • Their iconic No. 1 singles notwithstanding (“Love Me Do”, “From Me to You”, “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “I Feel Fine”, “Eight Days a Week”, “Ticket to Ride”, “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “Day Tripper”, “We Can Work It Out”, “Paperback Writer”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Eleanor Rigby”, “Penny Lane”, “All You Need Is Love”, “Hello, Goodbye”, “Lady Madonna”, “Hey Jude”, “Get Back”, “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, “Something”, “Come Together”, “Let It Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”), some of their best songs weren’t even on any singles or B-sides: “I Should Have Known Better,” “You Won’t See Me,” “For No One,” “Across the Universe,” “Two of Us,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Because” are all just album filler.

  • They revolutionized the science of recording, using multiple tracks instead of playing live. Producer George Martin used varying tape speeds to make Lennon’s voice sound high (“Tomorrow Never Knows”) and slow (“Strawberry Fields Forever”); he also brought in string musicians to accompany certain songs (“Yesterday”). In another session, McCartney utilized bass drums halfway down a corridor to achieve a staccato sound in “Mother Nature’s Son.”

  • In an age where other people wrote songs for the flavor of the day – think the Brill Building songwriters doing all the work for the Shangri-Las and the Dixie Cups – The Beatles surprised everyone by penning their own hits from the beginning. As a result, they helped usher the singer-songwriter movement that popularized the late 1960s.

  • Their ability to cross over from media and teen idols to musical innovators is one-of-a-kind. Their chart success is unparalleled; but despite their popularity, they managed to continue to improve throughout their career.

  • Their place in popular culture is unrivaled – Their movies, their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (in which they played to 74 million people), the “bigger than Jesus” comment, the refusal to play in concert after 1966, the Maharishi, the painstaking production work, the beginnings of the drug culture and LSD fad, “Helter Skelter” and Charles Manson, the “Paul is Dead” phenomenon, Yoko Ono, the rooftop concert, the cover of Abbey Road, the subsequent solo years, and the hit singles created from rough demos of the late Lennon.

  • They accomplished all this in seven years.

You know thats an interesting and funny question. Are Rush better than the Beatles..

 

Rush are undoubtedly my fav band who've had an amazing impact on my life these guys who ive never met are like family to me, but...

 

Are they 'better' than the Beatles?

 

Course not. Dont be silly.

 

Pretty much says it all.

 

We all can shout Rush's praises from the rooftops to whomever will listen, and we've all been brought to tears and laughter and sheer goosebumps by our band.

 

But let's not be blinded by our adulation.

 

The Beatles changed rock music and pop culture as we know it. Many musicologists see them as 20th century rock equivalents to the great classical composers. Rush today is light years from what they were in 1974, but they've arguably stayed within their niche. The Beatles went from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to "Across the Universe" in seven years and along the way shaped entire generations of people around the world.

 

Pose this question to the members of Rush adn see what a patronizing smirk you'll get.

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I guess it depends on how you define "better."

 

My favorite band in the world is Rush.

 

The Beatles, however, are still so much better!

 

The fact that I love Rush is my own subjective opinion based on a lot of factors - sentimentality, I've seen them live and they mean a lot more to me, I grew up with them, their music helped me get through puberty, adolescence, etc., their lyrics are meaningful and I greatly appreciate their musicianship, etc.

 

The Beatles are still better. Are they better musicians? No, but they were often multi-instrumentalists, and it's what they did with what they had, what they managed to put together as a group (that they only had elements of solo) and how revolutionary and groundbreaking they were in their approach. They managed to make an amazing amount of songs that were incredibly melodic AND infinitely accessible (NOT an easy feat), and they did it so effortlessly and so profusely, at least in the relatively short time they were together.

 

PLUS, their lyrics really said so much and spoke profoundly to a generation. They changed music forever, and arguably changed the course of history to some degree. Their music was THAT powerful and influential. How many other groups can claim to not only have changed the musical landscape forever, irrevocably influencing everything that came after, but also had a huge impact on society that still reverberates today? There is a reason why they're the most popular band of all time. They were magical.

 

If I had to wipe one band's recorded output and influence out of existence entirely between the two, it would be Rush in a heartbeat, even though they're my personal favorite. The Beatles were a FAR more important group in so many ways, and for that reason I consider them "better." Really, it's not even close.

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