# Best Band Ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2014, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054 "2014-11-19T07:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/81 "2014-11-21T00:58:10Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > If a discussion of music doesn’t start from a basic place of joy that music even fucking _exists_, then it is missing the point. Can we exclude “We Built This City” from that basic place of joy at least? Because that song **sucks**. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/82 "2014-11-21T01:18:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Can we exclude “We Built This City” from that basic place of joy at least? Because that song **sucks**. ::snort:: Absolutely. I fuckin’ _hate_ that song. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/83 "2014-11-21T01:48:51Z")
Ha! The _ **oeuvre** _ of The Go-Go’s out rock ABBA by a, I guess a stratum if I have to stick to the rock metaphor. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/84 "2014-11-21T02:31:06Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > ::snort:: > > Absolutely. I fuckin’ _hate_ that song. No, no, no…it’s “Rio” you fuckin’ hate. Or maybe “Reap the Wild Wind.” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/85 "2014-11-21T04:55:50Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Everyone knows the best band ever is the [Wyld Stallyns](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EXJ5wdzYcE). Meh. I’m still waiting for their music to change the world and bring about the perfect future I was told was coming. Come on, it’s been 24 years. What are they waiting for? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/86 "2014-11-21T12:08:53Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > No, no, no…it’s “Rio” you fuckin’ hate. Or maybe “Reap the Wild Wind.” “Seasons in the Sun”? “Billy Don’t be a Hero”? Where’s that list from 1974 that was in one of **Smapti** ’s thread? Clearly 1974 did not love music. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/87 "2014-11-21T15:16:44Z")
My take: **Jack of Words** has been a diehard fan of ABBA his whole, straight, male life. But, since the perceived outlook on the band is that ABBA attracts mainly women and gay males, he catches a lot of flack from his friends, family and coworkers, and is always on the defense about his favorite band, as he now feels it’s a statement on his sexuality and it has now morphed into the argument we see in the OP. And The Beatles is still far better than ABBA. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/88 "2014-11-21T15:18:38Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Meh. I’m still waiting for their music to change the world and bring about the perfect future I was told was coming. Come on, it’s been 24 years. What are they waiting for? Bill & Ted’s 3! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/89 "2014-11-21T16:27:01Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > My take: > > **Jack of Words** has been a diehard fan of ABBA his whole, straight, male life. > > But, since the perceived outlook on the band is that ABBA attracts mainly women and gay males, he catches a lot of flack from his friends, family and coworkers, and is always on the defense about his favorite band, as he now feels it’s a statement on his sexuality and it has now morphed into the argument we see in the OP. > > And The Beatles is still far better than ABBA. Dude, this is not the more interesting discussion I was holding up the Dope as having. Ad hominem stuff is not the solution. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/90 "2014-11-21T16:30:13Z")
I’ve instructed **Jack of Words** to knock off the personal comments – it would behoove the rest of you to do so as well. Now. Thanks, **twicks** ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/91 "2014-11-21T16:32:10Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Dude, this is not the more interesting discussion I was holding up the Dope as having. Ad hominem stuff is not the solution. I’m just calling it like I sees it. Otherwise, why open the OP in such a defensive, ad hominem attack on “straight guys and the music they dismiss” (the OP claiming to be one as it is)? There’s an overwhelming vibe that the OP had a chip on his shoulder, and while I’d love to discuss the merits of what makes a great band, I can’t see it happening with the OP at this point. ETA: > [@twickster](#): > > I’ve instructed **Jack of Words** to knock off the personal comments – it would behoove the rest of you to do so as well. > > Now. > > Thanks, > > **twicks** Noted. I hadn’t seen this until I’d already posted. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/92 "2014-11-21T16:34:05Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > “Seasons in the Sun”? > > “Billy Don’t be a Hero”? > > Where’s that list from 1974 that was in one of **Smapti** ’s thread? > Clearly 1974 did not love music. Don’t talk crazy now. Though 197 _3_ is the go to year. I’m sure I could dig up at least 20 1974 gems without much effort. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/93 "2014-11-21T17:47:58Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Bill & Ted’s 3! Both Keanu and Alex say there is a script and they want to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmZdVjoXMN8 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/94 "2014-11-21T17:57:12Z")
[quote=“Drunky\_Smurf, post:93, topic:705054”] Both Keanu and Alex say there is a script and they want to do it. [/QUOTE] So I’ve heard… Hope it gets made. Carry on, Dudes! ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/95 "2014-11-21T18:12:04Z")
Page 3 already and no mention of The Clash? Shame on you people! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/96 "2014-11-21T18:57:41Z")
This reminds me of a discussion/argument I had many years ago (1978) with a housemate who insisted that the Moody Blues were objectively the Best Band Ever. (They didn’t spell it ‘evar’ yet back then. ;)) I was a HUGE Moodies fan at the time (still am!) but even to me, then, the whole idea was crazy, and the claim was totally over the top: (1) the Moodies were very very good at a very particular kind of music, but as great as they were in their niche, they were limited to that niche; and (2) the notion that there was such a thing as ‘objectively’ the Best Band Ever was obviously bullshit to me even back then. But my housemate was upset that I wouldn’t see reason. I’ve never been an ABBA fan the way I was a Moodies fan, but I always liked them. But the same sort of thing holds. Plus ABBA didn’t really do that many great songs, even in their limited niche; their output pales next to the seven albums the Moodies did in their heyday. There are dozens of bands that have a far better claim on being the best ever than the Moodies do, but ABBA’s claim is much weaker than that of the Moodies. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/97 "2014-11-21T19:00:10Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > Page 3 already and no mention of The Clash? > > Shame on you people! Your counting’s a wee bit off. Here, take some [counting lessons from King Arthur](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM9Bynjh2Lk). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/98 "2014-11-21T19:04:25Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > This reminds me of a discussion/argument I had many years ago (1978) with a housemate who insisted that the Moody Blues were objectively the Best Band Ever. (They didn’t spell it ‘evar’ yet back then. ;)) > > I was a HUGE Moodies fan at the time (still am!) but even to me, then, the whole idea was crazy, and the claim was totally over the top: (1) the Moodies were very very good at a very particular kind of music, but as great as they were in their niche, they were limited to that niche; and (2) the notion that there was such a thing as ‘objectively’ the Best Band Ever was obviously bullshit to me even back then. But my housemate was upset that I wouldn’t see reason. > > I’ve never been an ABBA fan the way I was a Moodies fan, but I always liked them. But the same sort of thing holds. Plus ABBA didn’t really do that many great songs, even in their limited niche; their output pales next to the seven albums the Moodies did in their heyday. > > There are dozens of bands that have a far better claim on being the best ever than the Moodies do, but ABBA’s claim is much weaker than that of the Moodies. Days of Future Passed was the first album I ever owned…in fact my nine year old got in trouble recently and I was pondering banning his dubstep shit and making him listen to the Moody Blues as punishment. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/99 "2014-11-21T19:10:15Z")
Only in the Oscar Peterson Trio’s dreams were they greater than Abba :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054/100 "2014-11-21T19:32:06Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > Page 3 already and no mention of The Clash? > > Shame on you people! We’ve had the ability to change the default settings to 200 posts per page for nearly a decade. Why is anybody using anything else? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-band-ever/705054.md?page=6)