Sir John Coan wrote:Doctor Jimmy wrote:Elb and Patricie NURINE wrote:Meeting Dylan didn't help them at all. Even if I were a fan of the rambling old sod, I'd say his influence on the Beatles was damaging.
Damaging in what way?
I think Rubber Soul for example owes a lot to Dylan.
It does. And it's an inferior album to A Hard Day's Night.
Help is spoiled by rubbish like 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' - and that owes a lot to Dylan.
Once Lennon sought less to emulate BD, and more to take what he needed and what he could work with - i.e. by the time of Revolver - they were back on track again.
I think you're limiting Dylans influence to Beatles songs that sound Dylanesque as opposed to something like I Am The Walrus, which whilst musically being nothing like Dylan it still has his fingerprints on it (would Lennon have explored such surreal Carroll esque word play without Dylan?). I think Dylans influence helped to free the imaginations of The Beatles.