The Beatles were truly, truly basic/average/dull/simple.

Whether you agree with this or not (and I don't, as it happens), the point is that pop/rock music doesn't have to be clever, complex, above-average, blah, blah to make its point. There's an indefinable "something" to some pop/rock that makes it special, that makes it speak to people. Some music has it, some doesn't.

I recall listening, many years ago as a teenager, to "Juke Box Jury" on BBC TV (remember that, you oldies?). The record played was "Nutrocker" by Bee Bumble & the Stingers. It was fantastic - it absolutely rocked. The dumb Jury's verdict - a "miss". The audience's verdict - a "hit". It had that indefinable "something", and so did the best of the work by the Beatles.

Having said that, I shan't be buying any CDs of the Beatles as I have all the music on the original vinyl.