IT'S MY OPINION! I have a right to it, thank you very much...
...or do I?

b3ta has reassured my that I'm not the only person on the planet who doesn't like The Beatles, David Bowie, The Clash, T-Rex, Joy Division or the Arctic Monkeys.

Now, much as political correctness annoys me, I have always thought one of its upsides was that I was entitled to hold whatever opinion I liked about various musical artistes...yes? Apparently not.

I've had to get used to people being horrified when I tell them that I think Imagine/Starman/20th Century Boy is not the best song ever written, and that, to my ears, it's utter wank.

It's when they tell me: "Oh, but you've got to like the Beatles/Bowie/etc..."
"WHY?"
"Well, you know...they're The Beatles/Bowie/Clash/etc."
"I know they are. But why do I have to like it?"
And then they tend to struggle for a reason. It strikes me as some sort of sheep-like, herd mentality, opinion-fascism. Why am I expected to conform to this regime and like this music just because it is liked by every other human being in the Western world (apparently). If I don't like it, then I can't bloody help it. Don't tell me I'm wrong: it's an entirely subjective point, regardless of how many million other people apparently disagree with me. Importantly, how many people have actually listened to the music I'm being told I should like? How many simply feel they have to like it because everyone else does? Open up your mind and your ears and develop your own opinion on it.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 6 May 2008, 14:07, 8 replies)

Amen to that
I also have a special place reserved in loathing for the Beatles. And when I mention this, you'd have thought I'd just admitted to killing kittens for sport.

"But all of today's music stems from what the Beatles did..."

Yes. I am aware that the Beatles (and many, many other less crowed about artists who I don't have to have rammed down my throat on a daily basis) shaped modern music. But that does not mean I have to start gurning like a loon every time I hear the opening bars to "She loves you..." It leaves me cold. As does reggae.

I have an eclectic taste in music. I like what I like because, well, I like it. On my walk to work this morning, I've listened to the Pixes, Britney Spears, Nine Inch Nails, Faithless and Madonna. Because, in the words of the great philosopher Billie Piper, I want to.
(Rakky (forgot her password) The muffin maverick, Tue 6 May 2008, 14:12, closed)

It's nice to know someone agrees with me.
She Loves You. What a horrible, whiny, ratty little song that was.

Woo for eclectic music tastes. (I've always found they're good for worrying my bandmates slightly. They know I'm an ardent Who fan, so they look alarmed when I suggest we should do a blues-style cover of something by Goldfrapp.)
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 6 May 2008, 14:26, closed)

Sorry Disagree
Especially with David Bowie and The Clash!?!?!

Although your point about people shoving it down your throat stands. Something I have learned never to do.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 6 May 2008, 14:36, closed)

yes!
Why is it that when my iPod is doing its shuffle-dance people look at me weird when it skips from System of a Down to Britney Spears to Candi Staton to ManOwaR to Beethoven to Horrorpops. I like them all! Why should we be ashamed of our music tastes, if a song is good, its good there's no harm in it at all

I do like the Beatles though. And I love Imagine. just goes to show we all have different tastes.
(Katzilla Follow Me! @Kat_Zilla (I don't promise funnehs), Tue 6 May 2008, 14:37, closed)

@Dirty Weeker
Since you asked:
David Bowie - can't get on with his voice, his music has always struck me as a highly derivative triumph of style over substance.
The Clash - London Calling was a good song, and I know they did a lot to inspire the early Green Day I still occasionally listen to. They just leave me cold.

But, so as not to contradict myself, I welcome your right to disagree.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 6 May 2008, 14:42, closed)

I like the Beatles. It's the fucking Who I can't stand.
Ditto on the Beach Boys, the Doors, The Band, Lynrd Skynrd, Bruce Springsteen and others too numerous to mention. But as they seem to be popular, I assume the flaw lies within me.

Prince, however, is utter wank no matter how you look at him.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 6 May 2008, 18:11, closed)

Dissing the Beatles?! Heresy!!! :)
Heh. I'm in agreement with you! I'd add Led Zeppelin to that list, and the Stone Roses.

I worked in radio for 8 years and have wide and varied music tastes - from Mozart to Motorhead - and although they could write a good tune, I don't think the Beatles were that great. McCartney on is own certainly isn't!

But I do remember one station manager saying that each song - no matter how bad - will mean something to someone. Which is fair enough.

Methinks people are too keen to bandwagon the latest trend, or conversely a 'classic' trend, because they can't think for themselves and don't want to be out of sync with the crowd.

Sad.
(Sebulba continues to fight evil with evil....., Tue 6 May 2008, 19:21, closed)

@Resident Loon
Apologies if I'm completely misread what was supposed to be an ironic comment, but that's exactly my point - in contrast to you, I love the Who, Doors and Beach Boys but have no time for the Beatles, however I'm not going to perceive this as some sort of stain upon your person and treat you like a retard for daring to disagree with my own preferences. I just wish other people would afford me the same courtesy.

Couldn't agree more with you on Prince, mind...

Edit: @Sebulba. I think you may have hit that rusty nail right on the head. (Certainly in a less irate way than I ever could.)
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 6 May 2008, 19:42, closed)