Personally I'm more into R&B;-based rock than I am in pop rock. They both were very influential bands in their own right, and I like the more political nature of the Beatles' later songs, however I personally like the Rolling Stones' music better. You just can't beat Paint It Black (which was one of the first well-known rock songs in a Natural Minor key, which was a huge development in having more varied rock sounds and feels).

The stones rock so much better!

I think for starters, we should look at both bands' lyrics. The Beatles wrote about love and peace. Totally fine themes in lyrics, but they seem too childish. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones wrote about more realistic things. Just look at Gimme Shelter: "Rape, murder, it's just a shot away."

Also, when the Rolling Stones wrote the lyrics to some of their songs, they meant it. They included a party-hard rockstar element to their lyrics, and dammit did they live that way. And before you call it a petty little reason, let's look at some of John Lennon's lyrics: "Imagine a world without possessions." Isn't that why he had a yacht and a mansion? John Lennon didn't live by with what he wrote about. Meanwhile, Mick Jagger certainly did.

And let's look at influence. Who did the Beatles inspire? All I can name are U2 and Elton John. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones influenced the Kinks, the Yardbirds, the Who, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Scorpions, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Queen.

And how about the stuff the Beatles did in the 70's following their break-up? Paul had Wings and did Band On The Run, but no other albums of tremendous mention. John had the Plastic Ono Band and Imagine albums, which are terriffic albums, but he also did all of that stuff wit Yoko Ono shudder, shudder. George did All Things Must Pass, but one song on there was taken to court for plagiarism. And do you know anything good Ringo really did?

Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones released Sticky Fingers (considered one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever), Exile On Main Street (considered to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded), Goats Head Soup, It's Only Rock And Roll, and Some Girls (which is considered a great fusion of rock with disco--AND was nominated the Grammy Album Of The Year in 1979).