“I Don’t Like The Beatles”
Ever hear that before? It usually comes from someone who tries to separate himself (or herself) from the pack. “Look how original and unique I am! Aren’t I so cool?”
This isn’t going to be some long-winded article about how great or how groundbreaking or influential the Fab Four were and are; it’s safe to say that most people know that already. This isn’t a “stop liking what I don’t like” piece, either; I’m not superficial or insecure enough to force my tastes on others.
That said… Why, you ask? I have never met someone who actually dislikes The Beatles’ music. Even the ones that hate them.
I have one friend who grew up in the hardcore punk scene, and he HATES The Beatles. He hates their popularity, their image, and the idea that they are the cornerstone of all music that has come since their first record in 1962. Some of those points, I can’t argue with. Him calling them overrated? That’s just a matter of opinion—and one I disagree with. However, he never listened to the music. Eventually, I even got him to admit that he likes “Here Comes the Sun” and “Come Together.” (And, by the way, what’s not to like about The Beatles’ music? There’s something for everyone in their catalogue of songs and albums! But I digress.)
His story isn’t the first I’ve heard of this phenomenon. Hating the culture and the scene first, before even opening your mind and ears to the music. As if one is attempting to gain “cool person” points.
And you know what? The music is the only thing that matters. What the band represents, what they look like, how they dress, and everything else under the sun means absolutely jack squat at the end of the day—it’s about the music. It’s about what’s coming out of those headphones and into your ears.
That’s the issue I have, and the crux of what I’m attempting to get at here. This idea so pervasive amongst music lovers that because you listen to X, you can’t listen to Y—and if you listen to Y, you’re some sort of square, conformist plebeian. Not only is that gloriously wrong, it’s absurd. It’s like hearing people who refuse to leave Manhattan complain about how there’s nothing to do in New York City. (That’s something I’ve actually heard from a few people—I roll my eyes and laugh each and every time I hear it.)
This negative stigma attached to something that’s popular has got to go. It’s been around for ages; a knee-jerk negative reaction to something popular. The idea that popular ≠ good. Sure, most Top 40 music is written for the lowest common denominator, but The Beatles were also chart-toppers.
So listen to Uncle Spencer, kiddies. You can like whatever you want to like. Wanna rock out to EDM? Go for it. Wanna listen to Norwegian death metal or K-Pop? Be my guest. Wanna listen to Neo-Nazi hardcore punk? Okay, I might stop you there, but that’s another discussion for another day.
But what matters most is that you are true to yourself and listen to what you want to listen to. If you like something, like it! You don’t need to be a hardcore fan and know anything and everything about the particular genre, artist, album, or song you like. There’s a word for someone who makes you feel like you’re wrong for enjoying what you listen to isn’t just wrong; and that word is “snob.”
So don’t be a snob. Enjoy what you like, and let others do the same. It can be the most popular or best-selling artist in the world, or some group only you and ten other people know about. As long as you keep your ears and mind open, and actually form your opinions on the music after you listen to it.
