Is this the source of the Beatles' success?

Hey, no need for disclaimers. HA!

A search through the archives will find my opinion on Right Time Right Place related success. Success that is very difficult to duplicate.

But there are some other interesting things about the Beatles...

Hair Style. At that time, short back and sides (Crew Cuts) was it. The Beatles were like long-haired louts. Rebels of the age.

Songs. Each song can pretty well be instantly recognised by the intro. The only trip up I can think of Ticket To Ride and Day Tripper (I think it's those two. Someone with more Beatles knowledge should know the two songs I'm thinking of. - a little like how sometimes Brown Sugar is confused with Jumpin' Jack Flash)

Length. The early songs were short. Ideal for radio. Billy Joel hinted at this in his song "The Entertainer"... If you're wanna have a hit you gotta make it fit, so they cut it down to 3 oh 5.

Can you imagine Bat Out of Hell or Kashmir being played on normal radio. At 8 minutes those songs are way too long. Can't get in enough ads.

Image. Their early garb was like a Uniform. Great for merchandising. Try selling S Club dolls. HA!

Catchy. The simplicity of their songs - which appear formula written (verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus) - were catchy. Get people singing along and sales will do better. Worst thing to do is write a song that needs 12 listens to "get."

Combine all this with your other comments - talent, timing, etc. - and you have the success that was the Beatles.

HOWEVER. Of interest is Paul McCartney's comments once that Wings made more money than the Beatles ever did.

Beatles are certainly worthy of study.

As too are ABBA. Another Right Time Right Place Coincidence group.

Michael Ross


One year old next week