Which do you prefer: The Wilburys or Wings?
(Not a poll on which was the better band, just which do you like better, which would you rather put on the ol’ hi-fi and listen to on any given day).
- Travelling Wilburys
- Wings
0 voters
Daddy, what’s a “hi-fi”? 
Wings had some good songs, 1 great song and lots of crappy pop songs. Wilburys just had good songs and I loved the concept of the group and their little mythos they built.
The Wilburys weren’t around long enough to either put together a large body of good material, or really start sucking hard. Wings were around long enough to do both. So, nothing against the Wilburys but I’d have to lean towards Wings, because early on they were awesome.
(There was an old SNL skit with Jon Lovitz as an old washed-up has-been Picasso, basically getting by on just his name and reputation. “I’m Picasso!” he would exclaim. He signs some kid’s drawing and hands it back saying “There! Now it’s worth something!” He blows his nose then signs the handkerchief. “I’m Picasso!” I think Paul McCartney hit a similar stage in his musical career around 1978. He could put out any old crap and people would buy it, because he’s McCartney!)
There’s got to be some other choice.
Yeah it’s in the thread you start with other choices
There’s a great story about Paul writing Picasso’s Last Words–basically on demand after dining with Dustin Hoffman.
From Wikipedia:
…After dinner with Hoffman, with McCartney playing around on guitar, Hoffman did not believe that McCartney could write a song “about anything”, so Hoffman pulled out a magazine where they saw the story of the death of Pablo Picasso and his famous last words, “Drink to me, drink to my health. You know I can’t drink anymore.” McCartney created a demo of the song and lyrics on the spot, prompting Hoffman to exclaim to his wife: “…look, he’s doing it… he’s doing it!”
Oops, missed the edit window…forgot to say I voted for Wings.
While I love both Tom Petty and George Harrison, outside of a couple of great tunes, The Wilburys didn’t do much for me. On the other hand, Band On The Run is one of my all-time favorites and Wings Over America is one of my top concert films, showcasing Paul at the top of his game both singing and playing.
I voted for the Traveling Wilburys. Superstar musicians and legends, all of them. Roy Orbison had probably the greatest song of his career with Not Alone Anymore on their first album. Too bad he passed away shortly after it was released.
That’s “Daddio, what’s a ‘hi-fi’”?
Wings. I like both but Wilburys just were around long enough and not a ‘real’ band
Wilburys by a mile. (Though the first album is much better than the second.) I’ve heard plenty of Wings songs, but none that ever wanted to make me buy an album. Agree about “Not Alone Anymore” but Tequila is hilarious, so is “Dirty World,” “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” pays back Springsteen for ripping off Dylan early in his career, and “End of the Line” is fantastic. I heard an interview with Harrison’s wife on Sirius, she said that when the wives heard “Congratulations” they asked who wrote it. “Not me,” said all the Wilburys. They all had plausible deniability.
As melodic as the Wilburys were, there was nothing innovative like Wings constantly proffered - they were experimental but accessible, which I very much like.
The Wilburys were great except for when they let Dylan sing. Then they sucked ass.
His voice was a good match for “Tweeter” and “Nobody’s Child”.
His voice is only a good match for singing in the Mariana Trench.
I’ve heard a few versions of “Nobody’s Child” done pretty. The song’s topic is not pretty, Dylan’s raw, harsh voice is a good match for the topic.
Tweeter could be done with a better voice but Dylan is still a good match for the topic. Note, I never said he has a good voice.
Yeah, I have to agree that the lack of even being able to vote “I don’t care” in the poll makes me wonder if it’s some sort of play on the idea that there’s no difference in which party you vote for, they’re both milquetoast.
But, if it’s not, then I guess I’ll have to vote for the Wilburys, because if I’m at a place that’s going to be playing either, Wings is already on the turntable.
True, the Traveling Wilburys weren’t around as long as Wings, but Wings went through so many personnel changes that the only real constant was Paul McCartney and that guy from The Moody Blues. Didn’t McCartney himself say Wings was awful?
See the I don’t care about is very obvious, you just don’t vote.