The Rolling Stones music is very misanthropic; U2's is very human-hearted. One is about riding in the front car on the train ride to hell, the other is about lifting up hearts and minds. It's the difference between death and transcendence. Both groups are masters of their craft, but U2's music means so much more; its sights are set so much higher.

haven't we had this same, tired discussion before when someone said that The Edge was [one of] the best guitarists ever? it's a matter of preference. I don't think (nor does most of this thread) that U2 is all that. They certainly are for their fans (and useless Rolling Stone type lists) , but outside of that realm, they're nothing too special.

Said the white man about the black man.

I agree that their mid-to-late 80s material was severely lacking substance. However Voodoo Lounge gives Tattoo You a run for its money, IMO.

Anyway, the Stones for me by a long-shot (hell, I prefer them to The Beatles as well).

are you saying I'm not the black man I say I am?




my point was that everyone has a favorite band (most often not The Beatles or The Stones) but they don't argue preference as fact.

The idea that any band's alleged greatness can be asserted as fact--even The Beatles--is folly, since the very nature of art discussion is grounded in subjectivity, so why fight against people having a subjective dispute on the issue?

I don't have time to get into it. I think the general consensus is that the Beatles were, without a doubt, great. And I was not stating that as a fact. That's still my belief and I'm entitled to it just as you are to yours (hence this discussion isn't going to go anywhere).

Regarding U2, there's a line from The Smith's song "Panic" that sums it up for me:

"Because the music that they constantly play
IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE "

But again, that's just me. To each their own. It just seems that most people's "own" seems to be the Stones in this case.

Although I respect the Stones immensely (and have every one of their albums), I grew up with U2 and the emotional resonance is far, far greater with that little Irish band that could.

That's exactly my view on it. So I'd go with U2 for now.

Get back to me in another 20 years and we can see if U2 does the same. So far so good for them, but you could say the same about the Rolling Stones at one point in time pretty far along in their career as well.

I don't know if my age is showing but I can't even begin to compare the two in my mind. U2 would not even make my top 20 while the Stones would be in the top 5.

I do think they stand up well against bands such as REM but they're just not in the same league as the Stones, Beatles, etc.

I've got many albums by each band, but I listen to U2 more.

This thread would be a lot better if there was a poll.

U2

And they're better than the Beatles also.

Quoted for truth.

Stones Suck.

Amen.

Until the Beatles 6th album they were nothing but a boy-band doing bubble-gum pop and Motown cover tunes.

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

That's a laughable statement.

That's actually a pretty fair statement.

Their early stuff was bubblegum.

I don't see how that can be denied.

Ok true, they were a "boy-band"...but compare their talent to NSync or Backstreet Boys...

Boy band? Bubblegum? Silly me, I thought they started out as a rock 'n' roll group.

No, "Revolver" wasn't their first album.

Beatles - for Best Music/Writing

Rolling Stones - for Best All-Around "Rock & Roll"

U2 - for Best Stage/Live


Kenny J.

U2 is my favorite band by far. There's an energy and passion in their music that I just don't feel from other music. I love the Beatles and enjoy a lot of Rolling Stones music, but it doesn't hit me on the visceral level that U2 does. U2's music helps me feel the strain of my soul reaching for higher ground.

U2, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones are my three favorite bands. They are all incredible and to me are the 3 best bands in history. U2 are the best of the 3, no one can touch U2's run of greatness. 25 years and barely a bad song , little lone a bad album. The Beatles self destructed, and The Stones gave up on new music. I personally like some of the new Stones stuff, but they don't even play it live. U2 live is a religous experience and Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop is the best 3 album run ever.