George Harrison was known as the “quiet Beatle,” but his songwriting spoke volumes.
The Beatles icon, who died in 2001, wrote 22 songs for the Fab Four, some of which are the most memorable. Unlike many of his colleagues, Harrison was more reserved and introspective. He was not attracted to the glitz and glamor of fame. Instead, he grew up valuing true connection and spirituality. Some of his Beatles songs show this side of him, and others catch you off guard.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were responsible for most of the group’s songwriting, with many songs credited as originals to McCartney Lennon. The band’s drummer, Ringo Starr, contributed just two songs.
Commenting on Harrison as a singer and songwriter in an interview, Lennon once said, “When we brought George into the group, he didn’t even sing. He was a guitar player. He just wasn’t in the same league for a long time. That’s not diminishing him. He just didn’t have the writing practice that the rest of us had.”
Ten years later, Harrison became the first Beatle to score a No. 1 hit as a solo artist with “My Sweet Lord” after the Beatles disbanded in 1970. If that’s not evidence of his extraordinary creativity and lyrical mastery, what is?
Let’s drop the needle on five of the 22 songs Harrison wrote for the Beatles.
“The sun is coming”
One of the most famous Beatles songs of all time came from Harrison’s brilliant mind. He wrote “Here Comes the Sun” during a stressful time for the Fab Four, escaping business meetings and relaxing in Eric Clapton’s garden. That explosion of sunshine became one of the band’s warmest songs, fusing acoustic guitar and early Moog synthesizers.
According to The Beatles Bible, Lennon did not show up at the track because he was recovering from a car accident, and Harrison created the identity on his own.
“something”
“Something” marked Harrison’s emergence as a major creative force alongside Lennon and McCartney. The ballad, inspired in part by his wife Patti Boyd and the line he heard in a James Taylor song, “Something about the way she moves,” received praise from legends such as Frank Sinatra, who called it “one of the greatest love songs ever written.” Imagine receiving that compliment from one of the greatest crooners in history.
Harrison refined the track in the studio, creating a smooth guitar line and emotional atmosphere that resonates with listeners to this day.
“Taxman”
A lyrical legend begins revolver “The Taxman” is a sharp and sarcastic attack on Britain’s high tax rates in the 1960s. Frustrated that high earners were losing most of their income, Harrison channeled his political frustration into one of the Beatles’ edgiest songs. Following Lennon’s suggestion, he even removed Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s name.
Even though Harrison wrote the song, Paul McCartney performed the fiery guitar solo. With its hard-hitting lyrics and punchy riffs, “Taxman” was a true testament to Harrison’s growing confidence as both a songwriter and a commentator.
“For You Blue”
Harrison wrote “For You Blue” for Boyd as a relaxed blues song, adding upbeat elements to it. let it be. Built around Lennon’s playful slide work on acoustic guitar and lap steel (with the help of a cigarette lighter), the track reflects Harrison’s love of traditional blues music.
According to the Beatles Bible, Lennon jokingly introduced himself as “Elmore James” during recording, after the legendary blues guitarist. Its laid-back, upbeat sound led to one of the album’s most carefree moments.
“My guitar is crying softly”
Inspired by the idea that everything in life is connected, this guitarist wrote “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” following the first phrase he saw when he opened a random book. This was also a personal belief that he embodied throughout his life until his last breath.
The song became one of the Beatles’ most moving recordings, laced with sadness, frustration, and spiritual reflection. I ChingChinese fortune-telling text.
Harrison invited Clapton to play his famous lead guitar solo, partly to ease tensions within the band during their time together. white album session. Clapton’s appearance helped improve the group’s focus and resolve the drama beneath the track. The result is a moving ballad that once again highlights Harrison’s songwriting skills.
Other songs Harrison wrote for the Beatles:
- “never mind” – with the beatles
- “i need you” – Help!
- “You love me too much” – Help!
- ”Think for yourself” – rubber soul
- “If you need someone” – rubber soul
- “I love you” – revolver
- “What I want to tell you” revolver
- “While You’re Away” – Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club
- “Blue Jay Way” – magical mystery tour
- “Piggies” – white album
- “Long, long, long” – white album
- “Savoy Truffle” – white album
- “Too much” – yellow submarine
- “Only a Northern Song” – yellow submarine
- “Me, me, mine” – let it be
- “Dig It” – let it be
- “The Inner-Light” – non-album single (B-side of “Lady Madonna”)
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