Sting Credits The Beatles for Inspiring a Generation of Songwriters

Singer-songwriter Sting has expressed deep gratitude to The Beatles, crediting them with inspiring a generation of musicians to attempt songwriting. His touring guitarist, Dominic Miller, has released a classical guitar songbook featuring 14 Beatles tracks. Miller revealed that he and Sting often discuss how the Fab Four's success gave other British artists the confidence to try. He also compared The Beatles' compositions to Bach's, stating their harmonic magic remains even when played poorly.

Key Points: Sting Says The Beatles Inspired Songwriters

  • Sting's gratitude to The Beatles
  • Beatles paved way for British musicians
  • Dominic Miller's classical guitar songbook
  • Music's magic survives poor performance
  • Comparison to Bach's enduring harmony
2 min read

Sting lauds The Beatles for inspiring songwriters

Sting and guitarist Dominic Miller praise The Beatles for opening the floodgates for British musicians and creating indestructible music.

"they kind of gave a license for everyone else to have a go. - Dominic Miller"

Los Angeles, Jan 6

Singer-songwriter Sting is expressing gratitude to The Beatles for being the torchbearer for a generation. The singer has lauded the legendary band for opening the "floodgates for songwriters to have an attempt at writing songs".

The singer's touring guitarist Dominic Miller has released a songbook of 14 of the Fab Four's tracks for classical guitar titled The Beatles arranged by Dominic Miller, Guitar Solo Songbook, reports 'Female First UK'.

Miller has revealed that he and Sting, 74, have often discussed the music and career of The Beatles, and the former Police frontman believes that the compositions of Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Sir Ringo Starr paved the way for British musicians who followed, like himself.

In an interview with Rick Beato on his YouTube channel, Miller said, "As Sting has often said, actually, and we talk about this sometimes, is that the Beatles, by doing those songs and coming up with those compositions, they kind of gave a license for everyone else to have a go. These guys from Liverpool, if they can do it, everyone should try, and so it opened the floodgates for a lot of songwriters to have an attempt at writing songs, which had never really happened before in England, like pop songs, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge".

As per 'Female First UK', from creating his songbook, Miller is convinced that The Beatles are one of the few acts whose music still sounds good when played badly.

He said, "So there's a neighbour of ours about three or four doors down who's probably a piano teacher, and they're teaching this kid to play Bach, but it's the most beautiful thing I could ever hear. So I look forward to that moment when they have their lesson, and I hear Bach played badly with no real tempo, but that's the most beautiful thing that you can hear".

"And I think it's the same for The Beatles. If someone were to play Michelle or Yesterday badly, the magic would still come through. So that was the biggest discovery for me, how indestructible this harmony is. Like Bach, I think the Beatles are one of the only composers that you can play badly, and it still sounds good", he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
It's fascinating to think about how they opened the floodgates. In a way, it's similar to how R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar inspired a whole generation of Indian music composers and singers. Legends create the path for others.
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David E
The point about the music sounding good even when played badly is so true. That's the mark of truly great composition—strong, simple, beautiful harmony. It's like a classic Lata Mangeshkar song; the tune carries itself.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, while The Beatles are giants, I feel we sometimes overlook the incredible songwriters from our own Indian film industry who inspired millions. A.R. Rahman, for instance, gave a similar "license" to a new wave of composers here. Global appreciation is good, but let's not forget our local legends.
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Sarah B
My guitar teacher in Mumbai started me on "Blackbird". There's something so pure about their songwriting. It connects with everyone, whether you're in Liverpool, London, or Lucknow. Sting's gratitude is well-placed.
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Vikram M
"If they can do it, everyone should try." What a powerful message for aspiring artists everywhere. It demystifies the process. Whether it's music, writing, or any creative field, we need more stories like this to encourage the youth. 👍

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