Although the Fab Four represents one of his earliest musical memories, the REM frontman doesn’t see himself as an admirer
For many, the Beatles They are the biggest band in the history of rock — or even music. However, there are those who don’t like it so much. It is the case that Michael Stipe: the vocalist of REM revealed that he didn’t feel much connection with the Liverpool quartet.
The reason is, interestingly, generational. In an interview with Pitchforkthe singer explained his ambivalence toward the group in simple terms.
He said:
I’m not a big Beatles fan. I recognize their genius, but I’m not from the generation that grew up with them. It’s not something that appeals to me — and it’s gotten me into trouble in the past.”
The revelation curiously came while he was talking about his favorite song from the group: the German version of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”translated into “Komm, gib mir deine Hand”. The singer was exposed to the track as a child while his family lived in Germany, due to his father’s work.
Stipe told in the same interview the story of how he discovered the Beatles:
My father was in the Army, so we moved to Germany when I was six, and we lived there for two years in the mid-1960s. There was a German woman who cleaned our apartment and took care of us while my parents were away. outside of work. One afternoon I went to her house and she left me in the living room. She had an old radio on a high shelf and was playing music. I just stood there looking up and wondering what the hell I was listening to.”
Beatles in Germany
Germany’s role in the development of Beatles is considerable. For three years, the band played shows in a series of nightclubs and bars in Hamburg, the country’s main port city. During this period, the quartet developed stage presence and a strong repertoire.
The German versions of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” [“Komm, gib mir deine Hand”] and “She Loves You” [“Sie Lieb Dich”] were made in 1964, part of a common practice by pop artists at the time of re-recording hits in multiple languages. It was also the only time that the Beatles held an official studio session outside the UK, at Pathé Marconi Studios, in Paris.
“Komm, gib mir deine Hand” reached the top of the German charts, while “Sie Lieb Dich” he only came in seventh. However, the latter had unexpected success in the United States, appearing among the country’s 100 most popular songs at the end of June 1964.
Collaborated: Pedro Hollanda.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
