The Ultimate Boy Band

I don't think it would be out of line to say that The Beatles has shaped all music that is around today. Maybe except for classical, but The Beatles had an impact like a tsunami. When they came out in 1960 their lyrics, instruments and hair cuts were new to the entire world. Not only were The Beatles a symbol in the music world, but in the social and political world as well. They knew how influential they are and they put their power to good use. Something that is very rare among celebrities these days.

They came together in Liverpool, England and from there took over the world. Every single album has at least one different sound than the album before. They were musical geniuses! With the abilities of the engineering technicians of EMI in the studio, Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) collectively produced an entirely innovative sound. They had other contemporary influences which never seemed to fail in helping with the Beatles inspiration. The album Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys was one of McCartney's favorites. It is said that Sgt. Peppers Army was 100% inspired by Pet Sounds. Also, John Lennon loved Elvis Presley, who at the time was bigger than The Beatles.

"It was Elvis who really got me buying records. I thought that early stuff of his was great. The Bill Haley era passed me by, in a way. When his records came on the wireless, my mother used to hear them, but they didn’t do anything for me. It was Elvis who got me hooked on beat music. When I heard 'Heartbreak Hotel', I thought ‘this is it’ and I started to grow sideboards and all that gear...."

The Beatles also used: sound effects, weird microphone placements, tape loops, double tracking and vari-speed recording in order to create a sound an eccentric sound never heard of (or thought of) before. Aside from the guitar, bass and drums, they used other instruments that were not conventional in a rock band. In the song Norwegian Wood a sitar (an Indian instrument) was used and in Strawberry Fields Forever another Indian instrument called the swarmandel was played. Another trick they did in the studio, again that was the first time ever tried, was using a double-string quartet used in Eleanor Rigby (one of my favorites!).This is exactly what I am talking about. The Beatles are the epitome of thinking outside the box, they were creative and so talented. No one can compare to them and what they have done to our world, in all aspects- not just musically.

The Beatles cannot really be classified as one type of music genre. They may have started out a little poppy, always known for their classical rock but also they dabbled in the psychedelic realm of music as well. Just think of songs like: I Am The Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (which is rumored to be about LSD).

To me, the perfect word to try and describe The Beatles music would be. . . untouchable. They were the ones who started it all, so how can you compare anyone to them if they are (most likely) an influence. And, I can say this confidently, there will never, ever be a band like The Beatles.


P.S. Look at how many albums they produced in such a short period of time, it's insane:

1963-Please Please Me and With The Beatles
1964- A Hard Day's Night and Beatles For Sale
1965- Help! and Rubber Soul
1966- Revolver
1967- sGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour
1968- The Beatles- The White Album
1969- Yellow Submarine and Abbey Road
1970- Let It Be

Seriously, think about this. They produced about two albums a year. Albums, might I add, that KICKED ASS. ALbums, that has left a marking in history all while touring around the world.

Supermen?