Frank Sinatra, the legendary crooner from Hoboken, New Jersey, built a career on velvet-voiced classics like "New York, New York" and "Fly Me to the Moon." His influence on American music and film is undeniable, but what might surprise fans is his admiration for a band he once publicly mocked: The Beatles.
Sinatra, known for his old-school sensibilities, initially dismissed the Fab Four's mop-top look and rock-and-roll sound. In a 1965 press release for his album A Man and His Music, he quipped about being tired of "kid singers wearing mops of hair thick enough to hide a crate of melons." Yet, beneath that gruff exterior, he recognized true talent when he heard it.
That recognition came in the form of "Something," a song penned by George Harrison. Sinatra was so taken with it that he called it "the greatest love song of the past 50 years"—a bold statement from a man who had sung his share of romantic ballads. He even recorded two versions of the track, a rare honor he bestowed on few songs.
Sinatra's appreciation didn't stop there. He also covered The Beatles' "Yesterday," another timeless classic. According to Billy Joel, Sinatra's decision to perform these songs was a game-changer. "Even Sinatra covered it. He wasn't a big fan of a lot of pop music. The fact he did that was very important to some people who didn't take The Beatles seriously," Joel recalled. "Like, 'Wait a minute, this must be a pretty damn great song if Frank is doing it.'"
Sinatra wasn't the only established star to have a change of heart. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, had his own complicated relationship with The Beatles. Politically, Presley was a staunch conservative, and he famously voiced his concerns to President Nixon in 1970, accusing the band of promoting an anti-American spirit. He even told FBI director J. Edgar Hoover that The Beatles' "filthy, unkempt appearances and suggestive music" were responsible for youth problems.
Yet, according to Presley's step-brother, David Stanley, the King had a soft spot for Harrison's songwriting. In a March 2025 interview with the Daily Express, Stanley revealed that Presley "loved George Harrison. He thought George was the most prolific writer. He really liked his writing." Among the four Beatles songs Presley cherished most were Harrison's "Something," "Here Comes the Sun," and "If I Needed Someone," along with Lennon-McCartney's "Norwegian Wood."
It's a fascinating twist that two of the biggest names in music history, both initially skeptical of The Beatles, ultimately bowed to the genius of George Harrison's work. "Something" stands as a testament to the power of a well-crafted love song—one that transcends genres and generations.
For more on timeless music and its impact, check out our take on classic rock anthems in film or explore the greatest action heroines for a different kind of entertainment.
