I’m going to admit it here, for all the world to read: I’m indifferent towards The Beatles. I know that, to some, this will sound like musical heresy, but I just don’t have any strong feelings about the group. It’s not that I don’t like them, but it is also not the case that I like them. I am completely indifferent to their musical stylings. And I never bought the argument that they are the most influential group in history, nor do I feel that such a claim necessitates that (a) they are the best group ever, (b) everyone should like them, and (c) they everyone should fawn over there accomplished recordings.
Although the my non-like of The Beatles has been argued against by my peers in the past, never has it been so disappointing to an individual as it was to my friend, Neesha, who wasn’t upset, but rather profoundly confused. At first, I attributed that to Canadian-ness, but in reality, my indifference was an affront to her character, and she has taken up the noble crusade of attempting to convert me to a Beatles fan.
Perhaps my lack of feelings was caused by my growing up in a household where the Beatles weren’t played. Before my father got the record player in the divorce, the music we heard was soul, funk, R&B and other flavorful classics. John, Ringo, Paul, and George just didn’t fit in too well with James, Michael, Barry, and Curtis.
So, today, I woke up to an inbox filled with a advertisement forwarded by my mom, and invitation to go carolling with my sister, some spreadsheets to make, and this delightful little trinket:
I was truly taken aback by the pure beauty of the song. It’s simple elegance was stunning, as well as the seamless transitions that transport the listener through inventive and mesmerizing aural orgasms. Well, done, Neesha, well done. However, despite my like for this song, I am not convinced that they are the greatest group of all time. I’ve maybe heard eleven Beatles songs in my life. Conservatively, that’s probably less than 10% of what they’ve produced. Even if I liked all eleven songs, that is not enough for me to deem them the greatest group in the world. Why? Most are going to hate this analogy, but here it is. Let’s say I listen to 10% of Britney Spears’ songs. That could be around four or five songs. Let’s also say that I like these five songs. Would it be prudent at this point to decree that Britney Spears is the best artist in history? Of course not.
