George Harrison: Search & Destroy

When the "My Sweet Lord" case was finally settled, somehow George Harrison not only got to keep the rights to his song, but was ALSO awarded the rights to "He's So Fine". He now owns the song that he was accused of ripping off.

I've no idea how that happened, but it's true.

I quite like what Oliver K has to say about ATMP, though I can't seriously rate it over the Beatles. But it has some remarkable moments, like I (we) keep saying.

Yes, those 'Something' lyrics are bad. But I think we all agree that pop != just lyrics (though lyrics may, sometimes, be important) - so for me the song is still a great.

Harrison as guitarist before he went weepy / wah-wah: Classic? (The latter style becomes too all-encompassing.)

What about the LP (eponymous?) with the song 'Faster' on it? I loved that song as a kid.

RC: I agree, NLP: terrible dud. But I wouldn't want to write off 60s- 70s Harrison's achievements just cos of that involvement (92?). Where do the Greens come in - was he funding them too, at some stage?

Relevant connection: Handmade Films. Classic element?

I don't *think* Harrison has ever had anything to do with the Green Party. I kind of specified that it wasn't related to the subject of this thread and therefore, arguably, against the rules.

http://www.8trackheaven.com/Images/georgeharrisonelectronicsound.jpg

Classic tune no one's mentioned: Cheer Down.

Destroy: every album b/w Dark Horse and Cloud Nine.

Never mentioned: his production work on Ringo's ace "It Don't Come Easy" and co-writing the fantastic "Photograph"; also, his solo on Belinda Carlisle's "Leave A Light On."

Verdict: With some all-too-obvous exceptions, the man needs collaboraters.

Oh, and as for G.Harrison's lyrics...

(From Love you to)
"I'll make luv to you..
If you want me toooo"

Dawn: Knock yourself out, why don't you...

F that!

George wrote "Something" when he was only 25 years old! It and "Here Comes the Sun": 2 of the greatest Beatles tunes ever, period.

Give Me Love

(but, yeah, I like "This Song" a lot too.)

"If Not for You" is another great one off that album. His voice was perfectly suited to sing those lyrics.

My fave track off ATMP though is I Live for You, another great melody.

I've been reading a few George interviews recently. I really like the turn of phrase he had and his gently cynical perspective.

and no one else on Earth has that sweet sound he got on the slide roundabout 1969.

and no one else on Earth has that sweet sound he got on the slide roundabout 1969 onwards.

The only other one of his I have is Living In The Material World which is one of those records that almost mechanically alternates between tracks that make you want to put it on and tracks that make you keep flipping past in the bin. "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" is probably the best thing on there, would have slid in to ATMP very very nicely. And of course "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" which is short on lyrics but is lovely and head-sticky, and I like his vocal on it, so hey.

One night I randomly caught the drag-racing-themed video clip for the later "Faster" on VH1 Classic. That's probably worth hearing at least once - the "Faster than a bullet from a gun!" line is really cool, unfortunately the song overall is really aimless and dull. I fear that probably describes a lot of the 70s and 80s Harrison, which is why I haven't really delved much further, and this thread isn't giving me much inspiration to. Surely ILX has at least one rabid defender of Extra Texture?

Oh, and as for his Beatles work: his own compositions are about an even mix of very good ("Taxman," "Something," "Savoy Truffle") and embarassingly bad ("I Need You," "Piggies"). His guitar playing on the other hand is consistently essential, and fun to listen for because you can hear it getting better and better with each successive album. Get to Revolver and he pretty much epitomizes what I think rock guitarists should play like and sound like. Not such a fan of the slide stuff later on but it has its moments.

Unheralded greatness: George as backing vocalist! He's the Michael Anthony of the 60s, the absolutely essential ingredient in so many songs I don't know how to pick an example. "I'm Down" is probably the best use of him as the straight man. His lead vocals are sometimes awkward, sometimes so perfect you can't imagine the song without them - see "Don't Bother Me," "Love You To." Also check "Roll Over Beethoven" as it appears on Live At The Hollywood Bowl, where he has McCartney putting some enthusiasm into backing him up, it's great.

In short - I think the conventional wisdom is right. One great album (near excellent), inconsistent as a songwriter outside of that, but very consistently perfect as guitarist and team-member where-ever he appears.

omg I love love love this song

Thank you, Tim! Don't know if it's because of the horns, acoustic 12 string, sad lyrics or what, but this song has always been my favorite from ATMP.

xpost: kyle, I think this was not George (Martin's) shining moment. I like the slow tremelo Harrison used here, but it seems to be overplayed with at the console. wtf do I know? I do enjoy the song though.

For point of comparison, check out "Another Girl," where he tears it up on the same kind of call-and-response gap. "For I have got" BRANDOWN DA DOWN DOWN... etc. Now obviously "I Need You" is a different sort of song but it just feels as if so little energy was brought to bear on it. In George's defense, I would suspect that this was more for lack of interest from the other Beatles/George Martin than from himself...

His 1974 tour is generally held to be a disaster, with his voice shot and his persona at his most spiritually hectoring. That can't have helped.

The live clips aren't bad at all, and I sorta admire how he forced his audience to listen to Ravi Shankar.

The tour was US-only, besides which I think a lot of the tour went without an issue IIRC.

(US and Canada*)

I’ve been obsessed with “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” for about the last week – I literally haven’t been able to get it out of my head for more than an hour or so at a time.

Ha - I had that phase a few months ago.

It’s a little surprising because I wouldn’t call myself a giant fan of Harrison’s—there’s a persistently sour feeling I find hard to dismiss—and while I suppose I’ve known this song forever I’ve never really thought much about it one way or another.

But there’s something undeniable about the circular chord sequence, modulations and slide guitar harmonies that collectively feel like they could go on forever. And now, I’m realizing at least two songs I wrote 25 years ago were influenced by it? Strange.

Got really into All Things Must Pass again this week for some reason, particularly enjoying the Art of Dying which would have been an ace Beatles track, though the released version is obviously amazing too (wish Clapton would tone it down a little though). Have been poking around at other solo Beatles things I'd not given attention to in years, including Ringo's Rotogravure, which I had on vinyl as a kid (and liked! because I didn't know any better), and remembered that Harrison's track on that record was by far the standout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXg45wYBCcg

Harrison wrote this back during the ATMP era (or earlier? dunno) and recorded it for the album, but apparently never came up with a satisfactory take. All I've been able to find is this:

https://soundcloud.com/harrisonstories/george-harrison-whenever-ill

A real lost opportunity with this one.

I think not intended for ATMP:

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/george-harrison-legal-action-against-ringo-over-ill-still-love-you.1100437/

ah, didn't see that. it's weird there is so little documented truthful information about this song; when harrison recorded, whether there was or was not some lawsuit. it's kind of rare in beatles quarters for something to remain a total mystery like this.

Happy birthday, bro!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI4xzwvaTWU

Been listening to some of the albums I never loved. I think, even when it's not my favorite stuff, he didn't really indulge in just creating filler. Like on Extra Texture, I feel like I kinda get what he was going after with those songs and that there always seems to be some degree of musicality to the compositions that I find interesting at least.

Somewhere in England sounding pretty good to me lately.

I'm surprised no chatter over the Living in the Material World box set. The songs have never sounded so crisp. Maybe his best backup band too?

This tune
Has nothing bright about it

That is all, Alfred.

I was so young
When I was born

hmm...

https://totalterra247.com/2025/05/04/good-news-netflix-has-officially-announced-the-release-of-a-groundbreaking-new-documentary-series-spotlighting-of-george-harrison-a-story-of-grit-glory-and-brotherhood-espn-reports/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHCe5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE2TmpHeFNSZlA2WmhiRUVmAR4vdzTD7I4XmkhQvZd806txF-I_oS7xzeOa0c9VSU9hqIjuybBPbKDL5oP4Cg_aem_dqHbmWgM2IG3NbVZy0n3yw

Errm, where did you come across that website?

Facebook hence the "hmm"

Jesus didn't realise FB algo had got quite that shit.

I saw one for Elvis Costello - same template. Bots I guess?

I read right down to the bottom in horror where it said

"Want a viral trailer title, social teaser, or thumbnail caption for this?"

LOL I've become my mother apparently.

wrack my brain indeed

Yeah, plus: how could that brisk 712-part Scorsese documentary on Harrison ever be topped?

I wish they'd pick a more ridiculous act for these hoaxes, like R.E.O. Speedwagon.

I would watch a seven-hour REO Speedwagon doc.

A 90 minute "special episode" devoted entirely to Kevin's changing hairstyles

I would watch a seven-hour REO Speedwagon doc.

Crap, beaten

There's room for everybody's hair jokes in this Speedwagon

See? Endless possibilities had said hoaxer gone in that direction.

From now on, I'm putting excessive periods into R.E.O. Speed.wagon.