George Harrison, often referred to as the “Quiet Beatle,” was anything but silent when it came to his songwriting contributions to the legendary band. While overshadowed at times by the prolific Lennon-McCartney duo, the Songs Written By George Harrison for The Beatles are a testament to his unique musicality, spiritual depth, and evolving artistry. From his early compositions to his later masterpieces, Harrison crafted a distinctive voice within the Beatles’ diverse soundscape, proving himself to be a songwriting force in his own right. This article delves into every song George Harrison penned for The Beatles, ranking them to appreciate the breadth and brilliance of his work within the Fab Four.
George Harrison of The Beatles playing guitar, a testament to his songwriting and musical talent
Ranking Every Song Written by George Harrison for The Beatles:
22. ‘Long Long Long’
Emerging from the sprawling White Album, ‘Long Long Long’ is often cited as a track that could have been trimmed from the record’s extensive runtime. While it showcases Harrison’s burgeoning songwriting confidence during this era, the song meanders somewhat, lacking a clear direction. Despite its atmospheric qualities and the intriguing story behind its sudden loud noise during recording (attributed to a wine bottle rattling on an amplifier during Paul McCartney’s bass notes), ‘Long Long Long’ struggles to leave a lasting impression compared to Harrison’s stronger works.
21. ‘You Like Me Too Much’
Featured on the UK version of Help!, ‘You Like Me Too Much’ marks an early foray into bluesier territory for Harrison. While a pleasant listen, it doesn’t fully capture the depth that would define his later songwriting. The song is more notable for its recording intricacies, involving Paul McCartney and producer George Martin playing separate piano parts on the same Steinway grand piano. This technical detail adds interest, but the song itself remains a relatively minor entry in Harrison’s Beatles catalog.
20. ‘I Need You’
‘I Need You’, another contribution to the Help! album and film, offers a glimpse into Harrison’s developing signature style. Famously written for Pattie Boyd, reflecting the calming presence she provided in his increasingly hectic life, the song is a tender ballad. John Lennon’s input in structuring the song, particularly on the day of Ringo Starr’s wedding, highlights the collaborative nature of The Beatles, even in Harrison’s early compositions. ‘I Need You’ is a sweet, heartfelt track that showcases Harrison’s growing confidence as a songwriter.
19. ‘It’s All Too Much’
“It’s All Too Much,” from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, is a psychedelic exploration influenced by Harrison’s LSD experiences and later meditation practices. Despite its lower ranking here, the song is a fascinating example of Harrison’s willingness to experiment. Its nursery rhyme-like quality juxtaposed with psychedelic instrumentation creates a unique sonic landscape. The song’s inclusion demonstrates the band’s embrace of Harrison’s increasingly spiritual and experimental songwriting direction during the psychedelic era.
18. ‘I Want to Tell You’
‘I Want to Tell You’, from Revolver, encapsulates Harrison’s struggle to translate complex thoughts into lyrics and music. Originally titled ‘Laxton Apple’ and then ‘I Don’t Know,’ the song’s evolution reflects Harrison’s songwriting process. This track signifies a significant step forward in Harrison’s songwriting journey, marking his third contribution to Revolver and demonstrating his increasing comfort and innovation within the Beatles’ sound.
17. ‘For You Blue’
Often underestimated, ‘For You Blue’ from Let It Be is a joyful 12-bar blues number that brings a lighthearted feel to the album. Harrison himself described it as a “happy-go-lucky” blues song. John Lennon’s playful lap steel guitar contribution, encouraged by Harrison’s shouts of “Go Johnny go!” and “Elmore James’ got nothing on this baby!”, adds to the song’s charm and spontaneity, making it a delightful and underrated gem.
16. ‘The Inner Light’
‘The Inner Light’, the B-side to ‘Lady Madonna’, is a deeply spiritual song inspired by the Taoist text Tao Te Ching. This track exemplifies Harrison’s commitment to exploring Eastern philosophies in his music. Its enduring appeal is evident in Harrison’s son Dhani’s re-recording of the song for the Material World Foundation, highlighting its continued relevance and positive message, especially during times of isolation and difficulty.
15. ‘Old Brown Shoe’
‘Old Brown Shoe’, originally the B-side to ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’, is an often-overlooked gem in Harrison’s catalog. Born from piano chord sequences (an instrument Harrison didn’t typically play), the song explores the concept of duality – opposites and contrasts – a recurring theme in his work. It showcases Harrison’s ability to blend introspective themes with catchy melodies, creating a song that is both thought-provoking and musically engaging.
14. ‘Only a Northern Song’
‘Only a Northern Song’ is a witty and somewhat cynical track, its title a double entendre referencing both Liverpool (“the Holy City in the North of England”) and Northern Songs Ltd, The Beatles’ former publishing company, which Harrison did not own the rights to his songs under. This song highlights Harrison’s dry humor and his awareness of the business side of the music industry, adding a layer of irony to his songwriting.
13. ‘Savoy Truffle’
‘Savoy Truffle’, from the White Album, reveals Harrison’s playful side. Inspired by Eric Clapton’s love for sweets and his dentist’s warnings, the song is a humorous tribute to his friend’s sweet tooth. With its candy-themed lyrics and upbeat tempo, ‘Savoy Truffle’ is a fun and quirky track that showcases Harrison’s ability to inject humor into his songwriting, even within the context of the diverse White Album.
12. ‘Piggies’
‘Piggies’, also from the White Album, is a social commentary, reflecting Harrison’s growing concern with societal issues. The song critiques greed and materialism, using animalistic imagery to depict those in power. The inclusion of the line “What they need is a damn good whacking,” suggested by Harrison’s mother, adds a touch of dark humor and emphasizes the song’s satirical intent. ‘Piggies’ showcases Harrison’s willingness to address social issues in his music, a theme that would become more prominent in his solo work.
11. ‘Blue Jay Way’
‘Blue Jay Way’, from the Magical Mystery Tour album, is a dreamy and atmospheric track born from Harrison’s experience waiting for publicist Derek Taylor in Los Angeles. Written on a Hammond organ while fog rolled in, the song captures a sense of waiting and hazy introspection. It exemplifies Harrison’s ability to transform personal experiences into evocative music, and its use of Indian musical elements foreshadows his deeper explorations into Eastern sounds.
10. ‘Think For Yourself’
‘Think For Yourself’ from Rubber Soul is a pivotal song in Harrison’s songwriting development. While often interpreted as a breakup song, Harrison himself suggested it might be directed at the government. Regardless of its specific inspiration, the song’s direct and slightly cynical lyrics, filled with words like “misery,” “lies,” and “ruins,” marked a departure from typical Beatles love songs. ‘Think For Yourself’ showcases Harrison’s growing lyrical maturity and his willingness to explore more complex and even negative emotions in his music.
9. ‘If I Needed Someone’
‘If I Needed Someone’, also from Rubber Soul, is heavily influenced by The Byrds and their jangly guitar sound, played on Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker. Written for Pattie Boyd, it is also interpreted by some as a commentary on the lifestyle of groupies and the fleeting nature of fame. Despite Harrison’s self-deprecating comments about its simple chord structure, ‘If I Needed Someone’ is a beautifully crafted song with a distinctive melody and a hint of melancholy, showcasing his melodic gifts.
8. ‘Don’t Bother Me’
‘Don’t Bother Me’, from With The Beatles, was Harrison’s first published song, written while sick in bed in a Bournemouth hotel. While he later downplayed its quality, it was a crucial step in his songwriting journey, proving to himself that he could indeed write songs. The track’s introspective lyrics and somewhat melancholic tone hinted at the deeper emotional and thematic territories Harrison would explore in his later work. It’s a significant early composition that demonstrated his burgeoning songwriting potential.
7. ‘Love You To’
‘Love You To’, from Revolver, is a groundbreaking track that fully embraced Indian instrumentation and musical concepts. Featuring the sitar and tabla, the song was a bold stylistic departure for The Beatles and for pop music in general. Harrison’s exploration of Indian music, influenced by Ravi Shankar, pushed the boundaries of the band’s sound and demonstrated his commitment to incorporating diverse musical traditions into his songwriting. ‘Love You To’ is a landmark song that expanded the sonic possibilities of popular music.
6. ‘Within You Without You’
‘Within You Without You’, from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, is perhaps Harrison’s most overtly spiritual song with The Beatles. Deeply influenced by his trip to India and Eastern philosophy, the song is a meditative exploration of unity and interconnectedness. Recorded separately from the other Beatles, with Indian musicians contributing to the instrumentation, ‘Within You Without You’ stands apart on Sgt. Pepper as a deeply personal and spiritually resonant statement, showcasing the profound impact of Eastern thought on Harrison’s songwriting.
5. ‘Taxman’
‘Taxman’, the opening track of Revolver, is a sharp and satirical song addressing the high tax rates in the UK at the time. Drawing from his personal experience of suddenly earning significant income and realizing how much was being taxed, Harrison wrote a song that was both personal and politically charged. John Lennon’s contribution of “one-liners” highlights the collaborative spirit within the band, even in Harrison’s songwriting. ‘Taxman’ is a bold and memorable opener, marking Harrison’s arrival as a major songwriting force within The Beatles.
4. ‘I Me Mine’
‘I Me Mine’, from Let It Be, is a deeply introspective song that critiques ego and self-centeredness, drawing from Hindu philosophy’s concept of universal consciousness. The song’s title later became the title of Harrison’s autobiography, underscoring its personal significance. Influenced by his time with Bob Dylan and his growing spiritual awareness, ‘I Me Mine’ is a poignant reflection on the ego and the search for inner peace, themes that became central to Harrison’s post-Beatles work.
3. ‘Something’
‘Something’, from Abbey Road, is a timeless love song widely considered one of Harrison’s greatest achievements. Frank Sinatra famously hailed it as “the greatest love song of the past 50 years.” ‘Something’ was the first Harrison-penned song to be released as a Beatles A-side single and the first to reach number one without the “Lennon-McCartney” credit. Its beautiful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and sophisticated arrangement cemented its place as a classic and marked a turning point in Harrison’s recognition as a songwriter within the band.
2. ‘Here Comes the Sun’
‘Here Comes the Sun’, also from Abbey Road, is arguably Harrison’s most universally beloved song. Written at Eric Clapton’s house as an escape from the pressures of Apple Corps, the song is an ode to optimism and renewal. Its iconic acoustic guitar intro and uplifting melody have made it an enduring anthem of hope and joy. ‘Here Comes the Sun’ is a testament to Harrison’s ability to create songs that resonate deeply with listeners on an emotional level, offering a sense of warmth and positivity.
1. ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’
‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, from the White Album, is widely regarded as George Harrison’s masterpiece with The Beatles. Inspired by the Chinese Book of Changes and the concept of randomness and purpose, the song is a poignant reflection on hidden sorrow and unspoken grief. Eric Clapton’s iconic guitar solo, famously added at Harrison’s request, elevates the song to another level. ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is a powerful and emotionally resonant track that showcases Harrison’s songwriting depth and his ability to create music of profound beauty and lasting impact, solidifying his place as a songwriting giant within The Beatles and beyond.
