The long and winding road: Stuart Maconie on why our opinions about the Beatles keep changing

For decades, our perception of the Beatles has undergone numerous revisions, with various narratives emerging to explain their significance. These shifts in emphasis reveal as much about our changing tastes and cultural values as they do about the band's own story.

Initially, the "Fab Four" narrative dominated popular imagination, celebrating the joyous collective charm and energy of the early Beatles. However, this idealized portrayal glossed over darker aspects of the band's life, such as their struggles with fame, personal demons, and the complexities of individual relationships.

The "Lennon Remembers" narrative, born from John Lennon's bitter diatribe against his former bandmates in 1971, further polarized opinions. This viewpoint saw Lennon as a rebellious iconoclast, while McCartney was maligned for his perceived slickness. However, this narrative has since been corrected, with the passing of time allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics within the band.

More recently, scholars like Erin Torkelson Weber and Mark Lewisohn have offered fresh perspectives on the Beatles' history. Weber's "four narratives" theory proposes that the band's story can be reframed through four distinct lenses: the Fab Four, the Lennon Remembers narrative, the Shout! (Philip Norman) perspective, and a newer, more nuanced approach that acknowledges the complexities of individual relationships and the band's evolution over time.

These new waves in Beatles scholarship will undoubtedly continue to reshape our understanding of the band's history. As technologies and new perspectives emerge, we can expect further revisions to our interpretations, keeping the Beatles' story fundamentally open-ended and inviting ongoing reevaluation.

I mean, have you noticed how much our perception of the Beatles changes over time? It's crazy! At first, everyone just loved 'em for their fun energy and all that. But then we started hearing more about John's struggles with fame and Paul's role in the band... it got pretty complicated.

Now I'm reading this stuff by Erin Torkelson Weber and Mark Lewisohn, and they're like, totally redefining how we think about the Beatles' history. They've got these four narratives thing going on - the Fab Four, Lennon Remembers, Shout!, and then this new one that's all about individual relationships and growth... it's mind-blowing!

I'm loving this new wave of scholarship, btw. It's so cool to see how our understanding of the band changes as we learn more. I mean, who knew there was so much depth to the Beatles' story? Anyway, I'm hyped to see where all these new perspectives take us

you know what this whole thing says about us? that our perceptions are always changing, like the beatles themselves . we start with one narrative, think we've got it figured out, but then new info comes along and blows everything wide open. it's like trying to take a selfie - you get the perfect shot, but then everyone else has their own filter on . sometimes I feel like we're more interested in how things used to be, rather than really understanding where they came from and what they mean today . the beatles are still evolving, just like us, and that's what makes them so fascinating .

I'm loving this new "Shout!" perspective on the Beatles, you know? Philip Norman's work is like a breath of fresh air - it's all about how the band members were people too, not just iconic figures. I mean, Lennon was always so intense and focused, but what about McCartney's softer side? And Paul's business sense was actually super clever! It's crazy how our understanding of the Beatles has changed over time - I remember listening to "Sgt. Pepper" in school and thinking it was just this amazing work of art. Now I can see how complex and human all those guys were. Anyway, I'm excited to dive into these new narratives and see what else they reveal about our favorite Fab Four!

I'm so done with these "new narratives" trying to break down the Beatles into tiny little boxes . Can't we just appreciate them for who they were as a band without all this fuss? The Fab Four was perfect just the way it was . And don't even get me started on John's drama . I mean, I love the guy as much as the next fan, but come on! Can't we just focus on their music instead of all the behind-the-scenes stuff?

omg u cant believe how much the beatles have changed in ur lifetime lol i mean idk about u but i feel like im still tryna figure out who these guys were anyway so yeah new theories comin thru and i love it think its cool that theyre keepin it real about johns beef with paul and now we got scholars comin at it from different angles. its all good though cuz its always fun to rewatch the beatles vids and feel like u r part of this crazy fandom fam

omg i'm so over this fab four narrative it was like they were invincible & all perfect 4ever lol remember when john was all bitter against paul in '71? that was SO dramatic! anyway, i love how these new scholars are trying to get the real tea on the beatles. erin's 4 narratives theory is giving me LIFE it's like, we gotta acknowledge the complexities of their relationships & how they evolved over time. and omg the more nuanced approach is finally giving me paul john as equals vibes

The more I learn about the Beatles, the more my mind is blown . Like, people thought John was so cool, but what if he was actually struggling with some major demons? And Paul was just trying to keep it together because of his mates... it's wild how much we can pick up on now. These new scholars are bringing so much depth to the story, like, I never knew there were four different ways to look at it . It's crazy that it took all these years for us to realize just how complex and multifaceted the band was... I mean, I'm not surprised though, because life is pretty messy and we're all trying to figure stuff out as we go . The more we learn, the less we know, right?

just heard about this new theory from Erin Torkelson Weber - she's totally right on point! I mean, think about it, we've been reevaluating the Beatles for decades, but now we're getting a more nuanced view of their story . It's like how my favorite gadget just got an update - we get to see new features and a fresh perspective on what we thought was old news. Same thing with the Beatles! The Fab Four narrative was cool and all, but it doesn't tell the whole story . And let's be real, those personal dramas were way more interesting than just their music . Can't wait to dive into Weber's theory and see what other new insights come out of this

I'm not sure I agree with all these "new" perspectives . The Fab Four narrative was never that idealized – it's what made them relatable and fun to watch. All those complicated relationships and demons were part of the band's appeal, in my opinion . Yeah, Lennon was a rebel and McCartney had his moments too. We shouldn't just try to tear apart their personas for the sake of nuance . I mean, what's wrong with celebrating the energy and camaraderie they shared? Let's not overcomplicate things .

omg i'm so stoked to see how our perception of the Beatles is changing over time! like, it's so cool that scholars are coming up with new ways to look at their history - Erin Torkelson Weber's theory about four narratives is mind-blowing . and you know what's even better? that we're getting a more nuanced understanding of the band members' individual relationships and personal struggles . it's like, yeah they were icons and all, but they were human too, you know? so i'm loving how this new scholarship is keeping the Beatles' story open-ended and inviting us to keep reevaluating their legacy over time . can't wait to see what other fresh perspectives come out!

man, i think its cool how our perceptions of the beatles keep changing ...like, im a huge fan of their music but reading about all these different narratives makes me realize that no one perspective is ever gonna fully capture what it was like to be in the band ...it's like, we can see the fab four side, but then theres john's side and paul's side and...i feel like we need more stories from the people who were actually there

I'm totally with it - those early years of the Beatles were all about that carefree, fun energy... but like, at what cost? Their fame was a double-edged sword, right? On one hand, it gave them a platform to express themselves and bring people together through music. But on the other, it took a toll on their mental health and relationships - I mean, can you imagine how stressful it must've been to be in that situation? It's crazy to think about how their experiences shaped their art and each other's lives.

Nowadays, with all these new theories coming out, I'm actually kinda excited to learn more about the Beatles' history... not because I'm a die-hard fan or anything , but because it's cool to see how our understanding of them has evolved over time. Maybe this "four narratives" thing is onto something - who knows? The truth is, we'll never know everything about the Beatles, and that's what makes their story so fascinating, right?

I mean, have you guys ever noticed how our perception of the Beatles is like that one friend who's always changing? One day they're all cute and carefree, next day they're bitter and toxic... just kidding, but kinda. Seriously though, it's crazy to see how their story has been reinterpreted so many times. I think it's cool that new scholars are coming in with fresh perspectives - like, Erin Torkelson Weber's "four narratives" theory sounds super interesting. It's like, we've had this one-sided view of the band forever (the Fab Four narrative), but now we're getting a more balanced look at each individual's story. And I love how it acknowledges that relationships within the band were complex... no more painting them all as heroes or villains!

I'm loving these new theories about the Beatles! The way I think about it is like a Venn diagram:
+ Fab Four (that iconic image of John, Paul, George, and Ringo)
- But then you've got the darker stuff: fame's toll, personal struggles...
|
+ Lennon Remembers (John's side) vs. McCartney's role
- Then there's Weber's "four narratives" - it's like a matrix! Four ways to see the Beatles:
**Fab Four** = The Joyful Beatlemania Era
**Lennon Remembers** = John as Rebel Iconoclast
**Shout!** (Philip Norman) = McCartney's slick, business side
**New Narrative** = Complex relationships & evolution

It's like the Beatles story is a living, breathing thing - it changes and adapts with us. I'm all about exploring the nuances now

You know what's wild? I was just browsing through some old family photos on my aunt's phone and found this pic of me as a kid, holding a miniature harmonica , totally unaware that I'd grow up to be the kinda person who gets excited about obscure Beatles facts... anyway, back to the Beatles, have you seen any good documentaries about them lately? I mean, I've got a mate who's super into that sorta thing . On a related note, I was at the park with my dog the other day and he kept chasing squirrels, it was so relatable...

I'm not entirely convinced by this "four narratives" theory though. Erin Torkelson Weber's framework sounds like a neat way to organize the various Beatles discourses, but what about all the other perspectives that aren't included in her theory? What about fans who still cling to the Fab Four narrative? Or those who see Lennon and McCartney as just two sides of the same coin? It seems like we're still missing a more comprehensive understanding of the band's story. Where are the sources for this new wave of scholarship, btw? Need some citations to back up these claims

I'm so loving this new wave of Beatles scholarship ! Erin Torkelson Weber's "four narratives" theory is a total game-changer - it's like, finally getting some real insight into the complexities of those iconic guys . I mean, we've had our fair share of Fab Four fantasies and Lennon vs McCartney drama , but now we can see that there's so much more to the story than just these two narratives. The Shout! perspective is like, totally underrated btw , Philip Norman's work has been bringing some heat for years, but I'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves . Can't wait to dive into these new theories and see how they shape our understanding of one of the most influential bands in history . It's like, the more we learn, the more we realize just how vast and fascinating their world was !

idk why they gotta keep revising it like how old is old? i still love the fab four energy lol their music never gets tired of me putting it on repeat but u know, it's cool that new ppl are coming in with fresh perspectives. maybe we'll finally understand what made them tick

"Change is the law of life."
I think the way people used to perceive the Beatles was kinda like that - always changing with time & tastes... now it's all about nuance & understanding individual relationships within the band .
Those scholars are actually showing us that there's no one-size-fits-all story here, just different perspectives on the same thing .