The Beatles vs The Beach Boys

Necromancer · 03-07-2013, 05:27 PM

You make a good argument, but your final analysis is still just a personal opinion.

Out of the songs you presented for comparison, I prefer the Beach Boys over the Beatles. Mainly because I like the raw R&B/rock & roll sound and style over the polish.

The same way I like the blues/R&B rock style of the Rolling Stones over the Beatles.

Thanks for your input DriveYourCarDownToTheSea.

Please feel free to continue.

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 03-07-2013, 07:05 PM

FWIW, I'm not here to argue that either band is "better" than the other. That is a matter of personal opinion. My point here is, even if you're not a BB fan for whatever reason, once you become familiar with and study their corpus in some amount of depth, you do discover they were just as creative as the Beatles ever were. Even their early surf-and-sun pieces, plus their ballads of the time, more than hold up to the Beatles early stuff, on a creative level. The music is quite different, but that doesn't mean it's any less artistic.

--------------------------------------------

The next 3 feature comparisons of early ballads. It's a bit arbitrary which ones to pair against which, so if you want to group the 3 Beach Boy ballads as a group against the 3 Beatle ballads as a group, then do so.

Disclaimer: I'm not sure Surfer Girl, This Boy and If I Fell technically fit the proper definition of "ballad," but they're close enough.

Basically any soft, "slow" song.

Contest #3A: Battle of the Early Ballads #1 (with heavy harmonies) - "Surfer Girl" vs "This Boy"

"Surfer Girl" - recorded May-July 1963

If you don't really "get" the appeal of Surfer Girl, there is a version of Paul Simon performing it at a Brian Wilson tribute concert in 2001, on Youtube. Sometimes you need to peel back the layers of a song to appreciate its beauty. Simon does a great job of doing that.

"This Boy" - recorded October 1963

My verdict: Surfer Girl by a mile.

-------------------------------------------------

Contest #3B: Battle of the Early Ballads #2 - "Your Summer Dream" vs "If I Fell"

This might not be a fair comparison because the BB song is 100% solo while the Beatles song is very heavy on the harmonies, but as I said above, these pairings are somewhat arbitrary.

"Your Summer Dream" - recorded approx. July, 1963. If you've never heard this song before, be sure to turn the volume up, it's got more impact that way.

"If I Fell" - recorded February 1964

My verdict: Really tough one. Your Summer Dream is a very beautiful song that really grabs you and forces you to listen to it. But the harmonies on If I Fell are classic. I call it a draw.

------------------------------------------------

I've saved the best ballads for last ...

Contest #3C: Battle of the Early Ballads #3 - "Warmth of the Sun" vs "And I Love Her"

"Warmth of the Sun" - recorded January 1964

"And I Love Her" - recorded February 1964

EDIT: After considerable thought, I've decided I like the slower-lower version from the movie instead of the speeded-up version with Paul's voice double-tracked on the record. So I'm replacing that version with the movie version in the video above.

My verdict: - This is like asking which is better, Monet or Renoir? But I'm voting for Warmth of the Sun, which is a genuine masterpiece.

More later ...

Necromancer · 03-07-2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

FWIW, I'm not here to argue that either band is "better" than the other. That is a matter of personal opinion. My point here is, even if you're not a BB fan for whatever reason, once you become familiar with and study their copus in some amount of depth, you do discover they were just as creative as the Beatles ever were. Even their early surf-and-sun pieces, plus their ballads of the time, more than hold up to the Beatles early stuff, on a creative level. The music is quite different, but that doesn't mean it's any less artistic.

Oh, Im sorry if I gave the impression that I was arguing or suggesting that one band was better than the other, I was just expressing my own personal preference also. Sorry for the misunderstanding my friend.

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 03-07-2013, 10:12 PM

Due to the large number of fast-song megahits both bands were creating in 1963 and '64, I'm going to add a previously unscheduled contest.

These are late '63-early '64 recordings.

Contest #4: Battle of the Late 1963-Early 1964 Teeny-Bopper Fast-Song Megahits, Vol. 2

"Fun, Fun, "Fun" - recorded January 1964

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" - recorded October 1963

My verdict: Unlike the previous fast-song megahit comparison, I like the Beach Boys song better.

Be sure to cast your own votes!

Necromancer · 03-08-2013, 02:10 PM

You mentiond Hey Jude, one of my favorite by the Beatles. Love Me Do is another one.

Nurse Duckett · 03-08-2013, 02:28 PM

I love both bands but I love The Beatles more, I think The Beatles made better albums in general. I love Pet Sounds and Wild Honey and Smiley Smile is also a very enjoyable listen, but in the same time period The Beatles made Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour. Its pretty difficult to build a case against The Beatles in this instance isn't it, if you're a neutral. Its a close one but I give it to The Beatles, by a nose, Ringo's nose.

I don't think I can post youtube videos yet, but if i could I'd post The Beach Boys - Here Comes the Night and The Beatles - Baby You're a Rich Man.

I don't care about the hype or who was more influential and all that stuff, I only care about what comes out of the speakers.

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 03-08-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurse Duckett

I love both bands but I love The Beatles more, I think The Beatles made better albums in general.

Though it's true this is very subjective, I'm not entirely sure I would agree. You really have to give some BB albums a good listen, and they will grow on you. Surfer Girl, for instance, has only a few tracks I regularly skip - I find it easily as good as With The Beatles, for example. Half the songs on All Summer Long and Shut Down Volume 2 are good songs I regularly listen to (usually in my car). There are only maybe 2 or 3 songs on Today! I regularly skip, and Summer Days has only 2 song I'm not fond of (heck, I even find "I'm Bugged At My Old Man" to be a funny interlude

).

Summer Days track listing:
Side one:
"The Girl from New York City" - great rock song
"Amusement Parks U.S.A." - you have to get by the adolescent lyrics, but once you get there it's actually a pretty good song
"Then I Kissed Her" - Phil Spector cover, I often skip this
"Salt Lake City" - like Amusement Parks, you have to get by the corny lyrics, but once you do, it's a pretty good song
"Girl Don't Tell Me" - ripoff of "Ticket To Ride," but at least it's a pretty good ripoff

"Help Me, Rhonda" - No comment needed

Side two:
"California Girls" - No comment needed
"Let Him Run Wild" - Fantastic song, my new favorite. Will discuss later
"You're So Good to Me" - I find this to be an awkward song, often skip it
"Summer Means New Love" - very nice instrumental
"I'm Bugged at My Ol' Man" - funny, in a dorky way
"And Your Dream Comes True" - great harmonies

So, despite not having a reputation as a notable album, it's really pretty darn good. Easily on a par with "Help!" in my opinion.

Necromancer · 03-08-2013, 03:00 PM

I had a friend say to me awhile back that he thought Ringo Starr was really underrated. Any thoughts on the subject ? I do believe that George Harrison might be a little underrated.

neardeathexperience · 03-13-2013, 09:19 AM

[QUOTE=Necromancer;1295294]I had a friend say to me awhile back that he thought Ringo Starr was really underrated. Any thoughts on the subject ? I do believe that George Harrison might be a little underrated.[/QUOTE

Yes as a drummer no as a singer. When you have the likes of P-Mac and Johnny in the most favorite band that ever was you tend to get over shadowed. George was also fantastic, but again took a back seat to those other two guys!
Ringo was once asked if he got tired talking about the Beatles and he said well that is really the only part of my life that most people are interested in talking about so yes!

Nurse Duckett · 03-08-2013, 03:15 PM

I wouldn't say Ringo is underrated, I think he's been the butt of a few jokes over the years like - he wasn't even the best drummer in The Beatles and that kind of thing. He does have a trademark sound though doesn't he, and id say that qualifies him as a good drummer. I'd agree with you about George Harrison, I think he's an underrated songwriter and All Things Must Pass is definitely one of the best solo Beatle albums.

03-07-2013, 07:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
DriveYourCarDownToTheSea AllTheWhileYouChargeAFee Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,188	FWIW, I'm not here to argue that either band is "better" than the other. That is a matter of personal opinion. My point here is, even if you're not a BB fan for whatever reason, once you become familiar with and study their corpus in some amount of depth, you do discover they were just as creative as the Beatles ever were. Even their early surf-and-sun pieces, plus their ballads of the time, more than hold up to the Beatles early stuff, on a creative level. The music is quite different, but that doesn't mean it's any less artistic. -------------------------------------------- The next 3 feature comparisons of early ballads. It's a bit arbitrary which ones to pair against which, so if you want to group the 3 Beach Boy ballads as a group against the 3 Beatle ballads as a group, then do so. Disclaimer: I'm not sure Surfer Girl, This Boy and If I Fell technically fit the proper definition of "ballad," but they're close enough. Basically any soft, "slow" song. Contest #3A: Battle of the Early Ballads #1 (with heavy harmonies) - "Surfer Girl" vs "This Boy" "Surfer Girl" - recorded May-July 1963 If you don't really "get" the appeal of Surfer Girl, there is a version of Paul Simon performing it at a Brian Wilson tribute concert in 2001, on Youtube. Sometimes you need to peel back the layers of a song to appreciate its beauty. Simon does a great job of doing that. "This Boy" - recorded October 1963 My verdict: Surfer Girl by a mile. ------------------------------------------------- Contest #3B: Battle of the Early Ballads #2 - "Your Summer Dream" vs "If I Fell" This might not be a fair comparison because the BB song is 100% solo while the Beatles song is very heavy on the harmonies, but as I said above, these pairings are somewhat arbitrary. "Your Summer Dream" - recorded approx. July, 1963. If you've never heard this song before, be sure to turn the volume up, it's got more impact that way. "If I Fell" - recorded February 1964 My verdict: Really tough one. Your Summer Dream is a very beautiful song that really grabs you and forces you to listen to it. But the harmonies on If I Fell are classic. I call it a draw. ------------------------------------------------ I've saved the best ballads for last ... Contest #3C: Battle of the Early Ballads #3 - "Warmth of the Sun" vs "And I Love Her" "Warmth of the Sun" - recorded January 1964 "And I Love Her" - recorded February 1964 EDIT: After considerable thought, I've decided I like the slower-lower version from the movie instead of the speeded-up version with Paul's voice double-tracked on the record. So I'm replacing that version with the movie version in the video above. My verdict: - This is like asking which is better, Monet or Renoir? But I'm voting for Warmth of the Sun, which is a genuine masterpiece. More later ... __________________ Stop and find a pretty shell for her Beach Boys vs Beatles comparisons begin here Last edited by DriveYourCarDownToTheSea; 09-25-2020 at 06:29 PM.

03-07-2013, 10:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
DriveYourCarDownToTheSea AllTheWhileYouChargeAFee Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,188	Due to the large number of fast-song megahits both bands were creating in 1963 and '64, I'm going to add a previously unscheduled contest. These are late '63-early '64 recordings. Contest #4: Battle of the Late 1963-Early 1964 Teeny-Bopper Fast-Song Megahits, Vol. 2 "Fun, Fun, "Fun" - recorded January 1964 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - recorded October 1963 My verdict: Unlike the previous fast-song megahit comparison, I like the Beach Boys song better. Be sure to cast your own votes! __________________ Stop and find a pretty shell for her Beach Boys vs Beatles comparisons begin here Last edited by DriveYourCarDownToTheSea; 09-25-2020 at 06:31 PM.

03-07-2013, 05:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	You make a good argument, but your final analysis is still just a personal opinion. Out of the songs you presented for comparison, I prefer the Beach Boys over the Beatles. Mainly because I like the raw R&B/rock & roll sound and style over the polish. The same way I like the blues/R&B rock style of the Rolling Stones over the Beatles. Thanks for your input DriveYourCarDownToTheSea. Please feel free to continue.

03-08-2013, 02:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	You mentiond Hey Jude, one of my favorite by the Beatles. Love Me Do is another one.

03-08-2013, 02:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nurse Duckett Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 148	I love both bands but I love The Beatles more, I think The Beatles made better albums in general. I love Pet Sounds and Wild Honey and Smiley Smile is also a very enjoyable listen, but in the same time period The Beatles made Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour. Its pretty difficult to build a case against The Beatles in this instance isn't it, if you're a neutral. Its a close one but I give it to The Beatles, by a nose, Ringo's nose. I don't think I can post youtube videos yet, but if i could I'd post The Beach Boys - Here Comes the Night and The Beatles - Baby You're a Rich Man. I don't care about the hype or who was more influential and all that stuff, I only care about what comes out of the speakers.

03-08-2013, 03:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	I had a friend say to me awhile back that he thought Ringo Starr was really underrated. Any thoughts on the subject ? I do believe that George Harrison might be a little underrated.

03-13-2013, 09:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
neardeathexperience Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 531	[QUOTE=Necromancer;1295294]I had a friend say to me awhile back that he thought Ringo Starr was really underrated. Any thoughts on the subject ? I do believe that George Harrison might be a little underrated.[/QUOTE Yes as a drummer no as a singer. When you have the likes of P-Mac and Johnny in the most favorite band that ever was you tend to get over shadowed. George was also fantastic, but again took a back seat to those other two guys! Ringo was once asked if he got tired talking about the Beatles and he said well that is really the only part of my life that most people are interested in talking about so yes!

03-08-2013, 03:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nurse Duckett Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 148	I wouldn't say Ringo is underrated, I think he's been the butt of a few jokes over the years like - he wasn't even the best drummer in The Beatles and that kind of thing. He does have a trademark sound though doesn't he, and id say that qualifies him as a good drummer. I'd agree with you about George Harrison, I think he's an underrated songwriter and All Things Must Pass is definitely one of the best solo Beatle albums.