The Beatles vs Rolling Stones debate
By piggybank
@piggybank (57)
February 14, 2008 1:35pm CST
I don't know if I am the only one - I suppose there must be other Beatles fans that get rattled when Rolling Stones fans claim that the Stones were a "better" group at all counts.
Most of them support this "fact" with the following arguments:
1. The Rolling Stones wrote and performed "serious" rhythm and blues music when the Beatles were playing "candy floss pop music" (their words, not mine)
2. The Rolling Stones were "bad guys" and "rebels" when the Beatles were "mummy's boys in suits" (their words, not mine again)
When challenged though with the evident question "Well, which group was more influential then?" they seem to go mumbling "Oh yeah, we don't say that the Beatles weren't good, we only say that the Stones were better".
All I've got to say is:
1. If the Beatles wrote "candy floss" pop, how come the first #1 song the Stones ever had was a Lennon-McCartney song, also performed by the Beatles?
2. Well, if the Beatles were "mummy's boys in suits" then why is John Lennon considered to be a "must" musical influence for every young rebel? And don't say it was his solo career - "Revolution" was very much a Beatles song!
Phew, it was nice to get this out of my system :) What do you think?
8 responses
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
15 Feb 08
For me, the Beatles are the greatest band ever and always will be. I've never really liked the Stones. Ok, maybe a couple of songs, but I never bought their albums. Woohoo! I just dated myself! But I have everything the Beatles ever did. Even my parents liked them. I remember everyone talking about their "long" hair when they first showed up. lol That's funny now.
My cousin and I used to argue about this question. He said the Stones were better, more serious than the Beatles. But hey, he's also the one, who when I bought Elton John's first record, "Your Song," told me that Elton was a flash in the pan. No one would ever hear from him after that record, he said. I still laugh about that one.
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Elton is not really my cup of tea, either. "Your Song" is still my favorite thing he ever did. I just like to rub it in that my cousin made that brilliant prediction! lol
@piggybank (57)
•
15 Feb 08
You're lucky indeed! The Beatles were over four years before I was born (well, three officially), so I have my parents to thank for loving them. I have most of the stuff they did, that is all of the official albums and a couple of Hamburg bootleg stuff in vinyl.
Oh well, Elton John is not my cup of tea either, but he's definitely carrying on long after his first album... :)
@sunshinegirl1 (436)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I respect both groups. They have their own style of music both are good and creative .What was the Beatles song the Stones did? My favorite Stone song "Time is on my side"
@piggybank (57)
•
21 Feb 08
It was I Want To Be Your Man - a song the Beatles wrote for the Stones but did their own version as well in With The Beatles.
There are three or four Stones songs I like, I know when I listen to them on the radio, but can't remember the titles out of the top of my head...
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
15 Feb 08
Yes, I also agree that it is a matter of taste, and for my taste I can listen to the Beatles a lot longer than the Rolling Stones. Further, there is only one group I can listen to for hours on end, and that is Yes as they were during the 70s - their only top 40 hit during that era was "Roundabout"
What can I say? Some of us have class :p
"Candy floss pop"? - I heard Tommy James (of Tommy James and the Shondells, of "Crimson and Clover" fame) complain about critics calling their works "Bubble Gum Rock" -
I suppose that is the price one pays, working to put some sounds together and manage to have some people remember it decades later - you can only do that with loyal fans --
So -- now, what about Aerosmith? :D
@piggybank (57)
•
15 Feb 08
Well, some candy floss pop is ok - feeling in a happy clappy mood and wanting to listen to some happy clappy music is not necessarily a bad thing...
But to say that the Beatles did candy floss pop? Especially after 1964? Heck, it must have been the best candy floss pop in the world, since there are people (me included) who heard the music long after the Beatles were over and still going out to buy the records...
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
15 Feb 08
I was in high school when both bands exploded on the scene. I always liked the Beatles music because it was ale to cross so many lines from rock to ballad. And of course when they first came out they were "cute". The Stones were in no way "cute". To me the were ugly. They also seemed to always be edgier and harsher in their music. The appealed to a certain type audience. But then again I liked the Beatles better.
@piggybank (57)
•
15 Feb 08
Yeah, I think that has an extra appeal to ladies as well. I think the Beatles are cute too, I would go as far as saying that George Harrison looked great when he was young! Pity the Stones definitely lose on this front...
I don't know, my father likes both the Beatles and the Stones, so I've heard quite a few Stones albums. I just don't like them, whereas I love the Beatles. However, I can't deny that the Stones are one of the most influential groups ever.
@lonelylucie (194)
• China
15 Feb 08
i love Beatles i will say...i think their lyrics tell people what is responsibility or peace and so on...rolling,,,i don't want to say...they are too crazy...but B 's things are gentle and warm...that's my own opinion.
@justabloke (526)
• United States
25 Feb 08
It a non starter in my opinion. Comparing the Beatles to anyone is nearly impossible as no-one can come close to what the Beatles did. The Beatles are reconized as the best selling group of all time, yet they broke up nearly 40 years ago. The Stones are a great group, but, they are not in the same league as the Beatles.
My wife recently visited a seminar where one of the hosts showed a demostration. He had participants close their eyes and hold a CD to their head. In all cases when the CD was a Beatles CD the response was positive, yet with the Stones it was negative. The speaker at this conference said it always works out that way and he equated it to the Beatles writing "light" songs about love and such, while the Stones "dark" songs often delve into the occult and the devil.
Not that this has anything to do with this post, only that I am not a big fan of the Stones as I find their music and lyrics dark and often relating to subjects that I don't really care for.
@vinny_the_hack (60)
• Canada
15 Feb 08
I cannot put my finger on it. All I know is that I have a very deep emotional connection to The Beatles and their music. I was in a relationship for 28 years before divorcing, but I will never tire of The Fab Four.
@mrtimharry (1180)
•
14 Feb 08
Wasn't around when the Beatles were together but I am still a fan of their music. The lyrics are in general not complicated or thought provoking but they are easy to remember.
I can appreciate the Rolling Stones for their longevity but would be hard pushed to name a fraction of the number of songs as opposed to Beatles songs
