BEATLES ALBUMS ON ROLLING STONE'S NEW TOP 500 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME LIST
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So, I have been expecting someone to introduce this topic for discussion since the new Top 500 albums of all time list was published in Rolling Stone recently. "Sgt. Pepper," on the previous list at No.1, dropped to No. 24, rather a steep drop for an album that has been considered No. 1 since 2003. "Abbey Road" is at No. 5, the highest position of a Beatles album on the chart. Of course the list was going to change. Tons of new artists and new albums have come along over the years and were going to be recognized, and the list now is of "Albums" as opposed to "Rock Albums." In any case, whereas The Beatles had four of the top ten albums previously, they have one in the top ten now, the next one, "Revolver" is at No. 11, "Sgt.Pepper"at No. 24, "The White Album" at No. 29, and "Rubber Soul" at No. 34, I believe. So, they have five albums in the top 50, the most by any artist or group, followed by Bob Dylan with four. And they have nine albums in the top 500, again the most by any artist. So that helps smooth it for me. While I like "Pet Sounds," it remaining at No. 2 in both lists is a bit of a mystery to me. When I listen to it, my mind tends to wander at the sheer sameness of the songs. Still It has "God Only Knows," so that is strongly in its favor. They and The Beatles are the only rock bands in the top ten now. Marvin Gaye moved into the top spot from No. 6, previously. I love his album; "What's Going On" is an all-time favorite. So...... In any case, there were going to be more women and more black artists now than before....and in higher positions. One could see that coming. The white male rockers were going to be replaced. Joni Mitchell's move up to No. 3 with "Blue" wasn't really a surprise....I guess. I thought they might have selected a "more current" female artist for that position this time around, but she is highly respected. Stevie Wonder has "Songs In The Key of Life" at No. 4, not surprising. So..... just introduced all this for discussion, should anyone be interested.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
So, I have been expecting someone to introduce this topic for discussion since the new Top 500 albums of all time list was published in Rolling Stone recently. "Sgt. Pepper," on the previous list at No.1, dropped to No. 24, rather a steep drop for an album that has been considered No. 1 since 2003. "Abbey Road" is at No. 5, the highest position of a Beatles album on the chart. Of course the list was going to change. Tons of new artists and new albums have come along over the years and were going to be recognized, and the list now is of "Albums" as opposed to "Rock Albums." In any case, whereas The Beatles had four of the top ten albums previously, they have one in the top ten now, the next one, "Revolver" is at No. 11, "Sgt.Pepper"at No. 24, "The White Album" at No. 29, and "Rubber Soul" at No. 34, I believe. So, they have five albums in the top 50, the most by any artist or group, followed by Bob Dylan with four. And they have nine albums in the top 500, again the most by any artist. So that helps smooth it for me. While I like "Pet Sounds," it remaining at No. 2 in both lists is a bit of a mystery to me. When I listen to it, my mind tends to wander at the sheer sameness of the songs. Still It has "God Only Knows," so that is strongly in its favor. They and The Beatles are the only rock bands in the top ten now. Marvin Gaye moved into the top spot from No. 6, previously. I love his album; "What's Going On" is an all-time favorite. So...... In any case, there were going to be more women and more black artists now than before....and in higher positions. One could see that coming. The white male rockers were going to be replaced. Joni Mitchell's move up to No. 3 with "Blue" wasn't really a surprise....I guess. I thought they might have selected a "more current" female artist for that position this time around, but she is highly respected. Stevie Wonder has "Songs In The Key of Life" at No. 4, not surprising. So..... just introduced all this for discussion, should anyone be interested.
Ok, Sgt. Pepper is no longer #1 but to drop to #24, really. It was not just an excellent album, they did things in the studio that were never done before. Heck, even the album cover was revolutionary. I have no problem with Pet Sounds still being #2, just a beautiful and innovative album. I don't see how you think songs like "Good Vibrations", "Sloop John B" sound the same as something like "God Only Knows" but to each their own. Actually, my favorite song on the album is "Caroline No".
While Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is very good, being the #1 all time album is a stretch to me and I can think of a dozen better albums than that one. Right off the bat, Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key of Life" is better IMO. Well since it is just albums now, I am curious how many jazz albums made the top 500? Were artists like Miles Davis or Herbie Hancock ignored on this list? Was country music represented?
As time goes on, The Beatles will continue to drop in this type of ranking. Voters on the magazine will get younger and they will not consider The Beatles as the music icons that people on this board do. I will try and find the listing of the rankings online later and make a more informed response.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Beatles4Ever wrote:
So, I have been expecting someone to introduce this topic for discussion since the new Top 500 albums of all time list was published in Rolling Stone recently. "Sgt. Pepper," on the previous list at No.1, dropped to No. 24, rather a steep drop for an album that has been considered No. 1 since 2003. "Abbey Road" is at No. 5, the highest position of a Beatles album on the chart. Of course the list was going to change. Tons of new artists and new albums have come along over the years and were going to be recognized, and the list now is of "Albums" as opposed to "Rock Albums." In any case, whereas The Beatles had four of the top ten albums previously, they have one in the top ten now, the next one, "Revolver" is at No. 11, "Sgt.Pepper"at No. 24, "The White Album" at No. 29, and "Rubber Soul" at No. 34, I believe. So, they have five albums in the top 50, the most by any artist or group, followed by Bob Dylan with four. And they have nine albums in the top 500, again the most by any artist. So that helps smooth it for me. While I like "Pet Sounds," it remaining at No. 2 in both lists is a bit of a mystery to me. When I listen to it, my mind tends to wander at the sheer sameness of the songs. Still It has "God Only Knows," so that is strongly in its favor. They and The Beatles are the only rock bands in the top ten now. Marvin Gaye moved into the top spot from No. 6, previously. I love his album; "What's Going On" is an all-time favorite. So...... In any case, there were going to be more women and more black artists now than before....and in higher positions. One could see that coming. The white male rockers were going to be replaced. Joni Mitchell's move up to No. 3 with "Blue" wasn't really a surprise....I guess. I thought they might have selected a "more current" female artist for that position this time around, but she is highly respected. Stevie Wonder has "Songs In The Key of Life" at No. 4, not surprising. So..... just introduced all this for discussion, should anyone be interested.
Ok, Sgt. Pepper is no longer #1 but to drop to #24, really. It was not just an excellent album, they did things in the studio that were never done before. Heck, even the album cover was revolutionary. I have no problem with Pet Sounds still being #2, just a beautiful and innovative album. I don't see how you think songs like "Good Vibrations", "Sloop John B" sound the same as something like "God Only Knows" but to each their own. Actually, my favorite song on the album is "Caroline No".
While Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is very good, being the #1 all time album is a stretch to me and I can think of a dozen better albums than that one. Right off the bat, Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key of Life" is better IMO. Well since it is just albums now, I am curious how many jazz albums made the top 500? Were artists like Miles Davis or Herbie Hancock ignored on this list? Was country music represented?
As time goes on, The Beatles will continue to drop in this type of ranking. Voters on the magazine will get younger and they will not consider The Beatles as the music icons that people on this board do. I will try and find the listing of the rankings online later and make a more informed response.
My comment about Pet Sounds was off base. I take it back.
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These lists are very subjective, probably only of interest to a few people. I would guess Rolling Stone is read mainly by white American male rock fans. A British magazine may come up with a completely different list. People of a certain age, like me, would know that Sergeant Pepper was a landmark album which has influenced everything that's come since. My impression is however that many rock/pop fans like only the music of their particular era, so Sergeant Pepper will keep plunging down the list until one day the list will be dominated by rap albums (or even worse, if that's possible).
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A very woke list.
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dirkmcquickly wrote:
These lists are very subjective, probably only of interest to a few people. I would guess Rolling Stone is read mainly by white American male rock fans. A British magazine may come up with a completely different list. People of a certain age, like me, would know that Sergeant Pepper was a landmark album which has influenced everything that's come since. My impression is however that many rock/pop fans like only the music of their particular era, so Sergeant Pepper will keep plunging down the list until one day the list will be dominated by rap albums (or even worse, if that's possible).
Supposedly the vote was done by people in the industry and not fans. I am sure the industry is not filled with many boomers -lol.
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I like Pet Sounds as much as the next guy (and hearing it performed live in its entirety by Brian Wilson was a highlight to me), but no way is it better than every single Beatles album. Heck, without Rubber Soul the Beach Boys would still have been doing surf songs in 1966.
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Hamish Stuart wrote:
I like Pet Sounds as much as the next guy (and hearing it performed live in its entirety by Brian Wilson was a highlight to me), but no way is it better than every single Beatles album. Heck, without Rubber Soul the Beach Boys would still have been doing surf songs in 1966.
Exactly!! I guess that was my initial reaction when it remained at #2 and why I was a bit harsh on it at first. While I don't dislike it, it's just not superior to every single Beatles album. That's just preposterous.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
Hamish Stuart wrote:
I like Pet Sounds as much as the next guy (and hearing it performed live in its entirety by Brian Wilson was a highlight to me), but no way is it better than every single Beatles album. Heck, without Rubber Soul the Beach Boys would still have been doing surf songs in 1966.
Exactly!! I guess that was my initial reaction when it remained at #2 and why I was a bit harsh on it at first. While I don't dislike it, it's just not superior to every single Beatles album. That's just preposterous.
Especially since Brian Wilson said the album "Rubber Soul" was his inspiration for making "Pet Sounds".
