Who are The Rolling Stones and do you like them?

Who would you rather be, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?

• In the song "Gimme Sympathy" by Metric, the lead singer asks the question "Who would you rather be, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?" I started thinking about the question and I'm unable to come up with an answer. On one hand, the Beatles were very successful and influential, but they were relatively short-lived and drama-filled. The Stones are, for better or for worse, having their 50th anniversary tour. They're still around and are successful, but their music is more formulaic and less interesting than the music of the Beatles. So, who would you rather be? (Note: I was not alive during the heyday of either of these bands, so correct me if any of my statements are wrong.)

• Answer:

  Are we talking Keith Richards or Mick Jagger? Because I think I'd rather be Paul McCartney than Keith Richards. But I'd much prefer to have the moves like Jagger.