Favorite Beatles Era?
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Welcome.
What is your favorite Beatles era from a music, culture, or song perspective? (And yes, it's okay to have more than one favorite 
) I do like the early music of The Beatles, which transitioned from covers of well-known songs to the more distinctive and catchy Beatles "sound" - as in I Want to Hold Your Hand and She Loves You. But then the group released a fresh and innovative style of music that, in my opinion, hasn't quite been replicated since. It's the mid-years of The Beatles that I'm referring to, including the albums Revolver (one of my all-time favorite albums!), Magical Mystery Tour, Rubber Soul, and Sergeant Pepper. The energy and varying song styles embedded in this time period made it truly distinct for me. And then came the later albums - and beards - which tied up the musical legacy of one of the most influential bands of all time. All in all, it's a tough decision to say which period of Beatles music is "best." They each have their own uniqueness that it's difficult to place one above the other. The middle years have always been a favorite time period for me, though. What's your favorite Beatles era? Album? Story? Discuss! 
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Rubber Soul/Revolver period. (middle period) But it's like trying to pick your favorite child!
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Abbey Road era. They saved the best for last.
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^ Agreed. And... I'd add Let It Be to Abbey Rd.
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Nancy R - I agree! So hard to choose!
LiveForever - Great period as well. There's not a bad track on Abbey Road. Oobu24 - Yess! Let It Be! Great choice! -Rubber Soul13 -
This is a great topic! The middle period is my favorite, too, bookmarked by Help! and Revolver, with Rubber Soul in between. I tend to think of Sgt. Pepper and MMT together as a separate period, although I've never stopped to analyze why exactly. Abbey Road is a gorgeous work of art and probably my second favorite album. Aren't we lucky as Beatles fans to have these kinds of dilemmas?
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Soft-Hearted Hana - It is a tough decision, isn't it?
Each part of the Beatles' career had something distinct. I always liked how The Beatles incorporated new sounds and themes into their middle period - think about Love You To, Your Mother Should Know, I Am The Walrus, Lucy in the Sky, etc.. Other than the fact that it's an awesome album, why do you like Abbey Road in particular? -Rubber Soul13 -
and...it's not only the music...it's the Beatles themselves. I like when they were a bit more grown up.
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Rubber Soul13:
Soft-Hearted Hana - It is a tough decision, isn't it?
Each part of the Beatles' career had something distinct. I always liked how The Beatles incorporated new sounds and themes into their middle period - think about Love You To, Your Mother Should Know, I Am The Walrus, Lucy in the Sky, etc.. Other than the fact that it's an awesome album, why do you like Abbey Road in particular? -Rubber Soul13RubberSoul13 - Abbey Road offers so much that again it's hard to choose just one thing! I'm not particularly good at writing about music, so these are just my feelings. We have George Harrison's most sublime compositions to date, obviously. These really are the highlights for me. "Because" remains one of the most entrancing tracks with its hypnotic melody and beautiful three-part harmonies, ironic given the tensions among them yet they still created such beauty. The medley, especially You Never Give Me Your Money, still soars and delights with every single hearing, doesn't it? At the risk of offending a few folks on this board, the only track I can barely tolerate with most listenings is Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Sorry, good Macca fans!
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a good topic but very hard to choose i've been trying to ignore this thread for that reason love it all love the aerly years with the fast beat and rock n roll songs the mid era when they stoped touring to focus on their music and the later serious years as they grew older
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oobu24 - Fair enough. The later years certainly exemplified some of the Beatles' best works (I'm not going to list them because I could only list so many!). This period, at least in my opinion, helped each Beatle gather a sense of individuality to launch their solo careers. Soft-Hearted Hana - I agree with your post. Who can overlook George's Here Comes the Sun or Something? Really peaceful and relaxing songs. Because is a bit interesting for me -- it's definitely the "odd one out" from the album in my opinion. But not in a bad way! The chilling vocals of the song make it stand out not only from Abbey Road but also from the later 60s, a time of heavy Rock n' Roll. I can't agree with your Maxwell's Silver Hammer comment though!
I like Maxwell's because of the story it tells. It's almost like a narrative in musical form - I think it's really original! Thanks for your post. blue jay hey - Thanks for your post; I'm glad you decided to share your thoughts! It's totally understandable to not have a favorite period -- most people don't. I like the middle years, but I also enjoy the earlier and later hits just the same. I like your categorizing of the periods: the earlier years being fast and rock intensive, the middle period being focused more on studio work, and the later years exploring the seriousness of music. -Rubber Soul13 -
So hard a decision.... but I reckon I am a 'latter day' kinda guy...... They just kept continuing on their way to a natural peak. I'll go Act 3.
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toris - Cool. Yeah, their later stuff was pretty neat. Any song/album/event that you'd consider their "peak"?
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Early days....when I first fell in love with them. Love Me Do, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, I Saw Her Standing There, All My Loving, etc., not to mention all those rockers like Twist and Shout, Long Tall Sally, Roll Over Beethoven, etc. The pure sound, and the enthusiasm of "the boys" as they rose to fame. Ed Sullivan show then A Hard Day's Night. All so good.
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Ditto to what LadyMadonna said. Nothing like a teenager's first crush.
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The Psychedelic Era 66-67 for sure, when they ceased being the "Mop Tops" and became the creative tour-de-force which changed the world.
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~lady*madonna~ - Great era!
And I also like A Hard Day's Night album, it's got some great deeper tracks on there (not to mention the movie!). Fab4Clayton - Another early period fan, eh? beatlesfanrandy - Yep, The Beatles definitely released some new sounds during that time. Which psychedelic songs are your favorites? -Rubber Soul13 -
Rubber Soul13:
toris - Cool. Yeah, their later stuff was pretty neat. Any song/album/event that you'd consider their "peak"?
Abbey Road is probably still my favourite. And whilst it might be soured by their imminent break-up, I am fascinated by the Let it Be period.
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Awesome toris! Thanks for sharing!
-Rubber Soul13 -
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