8 Artists That Are Better Than The Beatles | The Track Star Podcast

On this week’s episode of The Track Star Podcast we have rock writer, NPR critic, and journalism professor Tim Riley who will help answer the deceptively complex question: is there any artist truly better than the Beatles?

We’ll discuss the musicians that inspired the Beatles themselves, and who left a historical and cultural mark similar to the legendary four. From the Rolling Stones to Miles Davis and Dolly Parton, we touch a wide range of musical talent that coincide with one another in lyricism, rock n’ roll ethics, and performance capabilities.

The conversation also prompts more pointed topics such as Keith Richard’s vs. John Lennon’s guitar playing, Bob Dylan’s lyrical curiosity, and whether covers by icons like Aretha Franklin might actually surpass the original Beatles version.

Check out Tim's substack: https://rileyrockreport.substack.com

This Episode's Tracklist:
00:00 - Intro
1:40 - Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
10:10 - Bob Dylan - Blowin’ in the Wind
19:15 - The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
21:20 - Beach Boys - I’m Waiting for the Day
28:25 - Miles Davis - So What
37:12 - Aretha Franklin - The Long and Winding Road
41:00 - Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
48:16 - Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa

Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Haley Sobel, Alex Fabry, Sarah Mann, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins, Simone Woronoff