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Many of today's teens still think the Beatles are fab

More than 40 years after its conquest of America, the group's appeal to younger fans remains strong.

Nothing's gonna change my world. Nothing's gonna change my world," sings John Lennon in "Across the Universe," arguably one of the Beatles's finest songs. "Universe" was recorded in 1968, toward the end of the Beatles' six-year grip on the world's consciousness.

Fast-forward nearly 40 years later and it seems the world the Fab Four created is still unchanged. To this day, there hasn't been a single band to reach the same commercial and creative success that those four lads from Liverpool managed to do. Every couple years, yet another remastering or anthology of Beatle songs is released, most recently the soundtrack to Cirque de Soleil's Beatles-themed show, "Love." Julie Taymor's psychedelic movie-musical, "Across the Universe", based on the music of the Beatles is opening in wide release today.

But in the wake of hip-hop and rap's dominance of the music charts and the gradual aging of the baby boomer generation, many may wonder whether the legacy of the Beatles will finally start to fade, if the universal themes of their music will still resonate with teenagers or if those same increasingly cynical young people will deem their music too trite or lame to be worth listening to.

Courtney Williams, 16, of Mission Viejo doesn't think the Beatles will be forgotten just yet, citing "Yellow Submarine" as her favorite cartoon. "I love them. I've listened to them since I was a little kid. … I mean, when they came to America it was such a big thing and a lot of bands, if you see their interviews, say the Beatles were their big inspiration and I can see why. They were musical geniuses."

Though other teens may not completely share Williams's fervor for the band, almost all acknowledge the large role the group had in redefining music as we know it – their genre-crossing discoveries from the first recording of actual feedback on "I Feel Fine" to the tape loops on "Tomorrow Never Knows." In an age where any sense of honor or respect is flung out the window in favor of celebutantes and TMZ, the positive support for the Fab Four is almost surprising.

A common response stems from rap's vulgarity which may drive away some listeners. Kevin Albin, 16, of Coto de Caza points out, "[The Beatles]didn't need to swear or cuss all the time to get noticed. Nowadays, rap songs have cuss words every other word and people like it. I don't like it, not my style."

Friend Eric Sipp, 16, of Mission Viejo elaborates, "I think (the Beatles' songs) were more artistic, well-written. They had a better flow, more original. Today, a lot of the riffs sound the same. Theirs stood out from other people of the time. (Rap music) repeats itself to a synthesized beat. I don't think it's music."

The Beatles' chord structures and phrasings provide basic stepping stones for beginning musicians. Aliso Viejo drummer, Clayton Lillywhite, 16 can relate. He credits his drum teacher for introducing him to the Beatles. "Come Together" was the first song Lillywhite ever played.

The majority of young Beatle listeners say their parents introduced them to the music. Others, like Anaheim resident Amy Shah, 17, mentioned "that one kid in my grade who's really into them" as another source of exposure. On the flip side, she also notes the large generational gap that alienates some adolescents from their music.

That gap applies to Jon Gordon, 16, of Ladera Ranch. "I don't think I've ever heard one of their songs," he said. "I wouldn't be able to tell you the difference between them and anyone else like if I heard an old song, I'd probably just guess." He says none of his friends listen to them either.

His friend, San Clemente resident Nick Pearl, 16, begged to differ. Just a casual fan, he listens to them whenever they come on his iPod, "I don't put it on, but when it's on random I'll listen to them."

For Santa Ana dweller Caroline Nguyen, 14, it's hard to escape the Beatles' presence. "There're like so many bands that try to be like them. Like in music videos I see all these bands trying to look like them, like the Click Five with their hairdos."

Despite general esteem for the Beatles, that doesn't automatically make them every teen's favorite band. "I don't like them. I respect them but I don't like their music. They get on my nerves," says Taylor Kilbride, 16, of Ladera Ranch.

"You can worship the Beatles, but you can't dance to them," says Austin Hunter, 18, of Rancho Santa Margarita. He thinks they would've had a hard time competing with the disco dance beats of the '70s and '80s.

Patrick Compton, 17, of Mission Viejo believes the opposite. "I think that their music is timeless and that the new generation can relate it."

In any case, rabid fans like Williams cement the Beatles's unwavering presence and ensure escape from a legacy relegated to one dinky song selection on an anonymous iPod. "I think their music blows away any music today," she gushes, "They're the best band ever, of all time. You can't go a whole lifetime without listening to the Beatles."

Quoted from komakino

my big sister said it's weird i listen to old music... it's part of a different generation, not part of mine. i should get into my own generation.

Quoted from Andy Smith

One thing i hate about bands today is that they don't have the wonderful energy
that those guys in the 60's or 70's put into their music. like the Beatles, kinks,
who, led zepp, etc. I must admitt that bands all sound the same to me today,
i'm mainly into the singer-songwriter today.

Quoted from Beatlemaniac64

The Beatles are definitly without question the most popular and loved band in the world today. But when I go to school, this doesn't seem true at all. I feel like I'm the only teenager in my school who likes them.

Quoted from fendertele

also bands today have no personality, i am interested as much about the guys as i am the music

Quoted from bobbydylanlover

There's not that many fans around where I live, which sucks. Some of my friends are complete arses about me liking the Beatles because they're "old" but some other friends of mine don't pretend their ears are bleeding when a Beatles song is on.