The Beatles were by far the most innovative, creative, dynamic, influential, and greatest band of all time. Do not underestimate the levels of genius at work here. Some of their success can be attributed to timing: four young talented musicians hungry for fame, fortune, and opportunity; a shrewd manager eager to capitalize on their talents; a producer schooled in classical music and able to groom raw talents; and millions of young fans waiting to be turned on by a new sound.
Besides timing, the Beatles success can be traced to four talented musicians who gave up their individual identification and used their talents for the betterment of the whole band. No one person was more than the band itself. A lot of this sacrificial desire came from them being good friends, having brotherly love for one another, and respecting each other’s abilities to contribute. What also is often forgotten is that they were not an overnight success and spent many years working hard and making personal sacrifices. The Beatles were great students of rock and roll and spent endless time mastering the basic fundamentals. They had a deep appreciation and respect for their predecessors, such as Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Smokey Robinson.
They also were very competitive in their song writing. Internally, they competed against other members in their own band. Externally, they competed against other bands from the era. And when they were not competing against others, they competed against their own high standards. In addition, they were continually trying to improve themselves by taking chances in their music and exploring different directions, while exercising a maturity to recognize when it was not working and respecting the input from all team members.
The end effect was not just four musicians jamming together, but four musicians who created a synergetic energy that catapulted their music far beyond most music generated during the rock and roll era. If there is any doubt, listen to "A Hard Day’s Night (UK), Help (UK), Rubber Soul (UK), Revolver (UK), Sergeant Pepper’s, the White Album, and Abbey Road" and evaluate for yourself.
The Beatles's success is a lesson in the value of team work and setting high standards that may have implications for solving many of the problems facing society. It just makes you wonder what type of music the world could make if we followed the Beatles lead and worked as a team for the betterment of everyone.
Lyric-wise, aside from a few misguided songs that make subtle references to drugs, the Beatles's music represents the fun, intelligence, and good will that rock and roll offers. They, along with many others, like Bob Dylan, Carol King, Smokey Robinson, and Bruce Springsteen, single handily disprove the myth that music and lyrics have to be negative to sell or be cool. Make no mistake about it, lyrics are as lame and as limited as the mind-set.
In tribute to the greatest band ever, the following is a collection of quotes from songs that refer to the Beatles. Can another band ever surpass the Beatles? Perhaps the answer depends on whether one believes that their success was an accident or they had a monopoly on vision in life?