Now before the two people that read this blog turn on me, let me explain myself. It's a natural evolution that people will tire of things. Sort of like how we used to have tails, things change. I have been listening to the Beatles for 20+ years since I was 8. It's no secret that I am a die hard McCartney solo fan first, then Ringo, then the Beatles. Even at the concerts, I get tired and I feel sorry for Paul McCartney, he's stuck doing Beatles songs. I'd piss myself if he had the balls to play something like Junior's Farm or Uncle Albert, which is just as good, if not better than some of the crap they put out. I mean, yes he can't sing anymore (trust me), but I will still go to see him until there is only one of us left standing. Ringo gave up years ago, and has embraced his "pitchy talking" voice, much like Elton John has done. Don't get me wrong, no one deserves more respect than Ringo. He's like the forgotten about, adopted, red headed step child of the Marx Brothers. Ringo has been around the block, seen it all, drank it all and the fact that he is still here (he can't remember where he's been, his lack of memory is legendary) is a testament to his will. A funny thing to do is to watch the Anthology DVDs and count how many times Ringo can’t remember something and throws it over to George or Paul, “Paul will remember that…” He’s got a sweet gig, he only has to sing 10 to 12 songs and the all-starrs sing the rest. The man sold out Radio City Music Hall in like 4 seconds last year, not a ticket to be found anywhere. People love Ringo, but are ashamed to admit it. My favorite thing to do is when snooty Beatles fans with their Let it Be shirts on ask me who my favorite it, I tell them Ringo and watch their jaws drop. I could wear a Let it Be shirt, but a) they don’t make them in my size, and I don’t think fat people should have to pay 5 dollars more for large shirts and b) I just don’t give a fuck.
Back to the topic at hand, I think the reason I’m tired of the Beatles, is just because I have been listening to them for eons. I feel sorry for the dead head hippies who there the first time around. In the car, when they come on the ol’ iPod, I usually skip by it, unless it’s a song that I want to hear. Yes they are on my iPod, but that’s more for show. People expect me, as a well known Beatles fan to have them on my iPod. I have never been a John or George fan, I just didn’t see where they were going. It was probably because I was brainwashed by the cult of Paul McCartney and his Silly Love Songs style of penning Beatles songs. John was more serious, and George was more Indian. I have however recently for the first time in a long time, started putting John songs on the iPod. Across the Universe, both versions are masterful. I don’t know if that was a natural progression from when I met Yoko or not. While we’re on the topic of people that deserve more respect, that woman has dealt with a bumper crop of ill will and has triumphed. Nothing pisses me off more than assholes that come to Paul McCartney concerts thinking it’s a Beatles gig. He lives in the now, and so should you. The other thing that makes me mad, is when I see these self righteous pieces of slime wearing their “I Still Blame Yoko” shirts. The Beatles breaking up had to do with Paul and John destructive relationship. They were growing apart and I respect them more for breaking up and never reuniting, could you imagine the Beatles like the Stones, I don’t think The Beatles would have had the shelf life they do if they were like the Stones.
Not everything the Beatles did was pure gold. I like the early stuff, the first album (whatever you call it since it has a few different names), but the album with Please Please Me, Boys, Do You Want to Know a Secret etc. The second album was a miss (Meet the Beatles), but had a rocking cover. I like the mid sixties stuff, like Help! to Sgt. Peppers, but after that, from Magical Mystery Tour until we get to Abbey Road, they are on the my nerves. They had a lot of hits during that time, but for ever hit, there were a few misses. Nothing against it, but I’m not a fan of sitar music and I think George knew that going into it. Now to rag on Sir Paul too, You’re Mother Should Know, what should she know? How dreadful this song is? Yellow Submarine is a joke, and the songs for the movie are funnier than the movie. Let It Be, the album, is too overproduced, but the film is like watching an execution, the death of something, the death of the Beatles. Still trying to get it on LaserDisc, yes I have a LaserDisc player, and I’m proud of it. There are a lot of things that are out of print that you can get on LD. Back to my first sentence, “not everything the Beatles did was pure gold.” I think if people put their idolization in check for a bit, listen to the stuff and judge the music, you’ll see that those 4 lads from Liverpool made some good music for a pub band, but saying they’re the best thing since sliced bread, is basically like bitch slapping all past present and future musicians in the face, especially the ones that are starting out playing for “all the coke you can drink” in bars all over the world. Another band started out like that, and they were called THE BEATLES.
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