George Harrison's Beatles Songs by Johnny Moon
Beatles Songs Written & Sung By George Harrison
What follows are all of the originally released Beatles songs written and sung by the "quiet Beatle" George Harrison. They are listed alphabetically. Note that I am not counting as Beatles songs - those which were originally released on his solo albums and then were included in the Anthology series (such as "All Things Must Pass" - evenough I love the Anthology 3 version.)
"Blue Jay Way" - Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
This was one of the Beatles most overtly psychedelic songs. This was when they were really throwing the "kitchen sink" into their recordings in the studio. While this is, admittedly, not one of The Beatles greatest tunes - I do enjoy it. Mostly because of the studio experimentation I am referring to.
"Don't Bother Me" - With The Beatles (1963)
Harrison's very first song on a Beatles album. Not particularly memorable, but not bad.
"For You Blue" - Let It Be (1970)
A nice little song, although not one of my favorites.
"Here Comes The Sun" - Abbey Road (1969)
One of The Beatles all time classics. During the late '60s Harrison was at his peak as a songwriter. The evidence is there in songs like this one and in his great solo debut, 1970's All Things Must Pass.
"I Me Mine" - Let It Be (1970)
Not one of my favorites, although it has some interesting aspects to it.
"I Need You" - Help! (1965)
I've always liked this song. In fact I'm a big fan of all of Harrison's songs in this era (Help!, Rubber Soul, & Revolver)
"I Want to Tell You" - Revolver (1966)
Another Harrison song I've always liked. It's got this cool off kilter sound that makes it quite unique.
"If I Needed Someone" - Rubber Soul (1965)
The Beatles doing The Byrds.
"It's All Too Much" - Yellow Submarine (1968)
The best reason to buy the Yellow Submarine soundtrack (or even better the much improved "songtrack" released in 1999.) This is one of the great lesser known Beatles songs. Truly psychedelic. The production is awesome. There's no song that sounds quite like this one.
"Long, Long, Long" - The White Album (1968)
The perfect followup to "Helter Skelter." The Beatles go from impossibly loud to impossibly quiet, just like that. A beautiful song.
"Love You To" - Revolver (1966)
A lot of people are down on Harrison's Indian music experimentation. Not me. I dig it.
"Old Brown Shoe" - B-Side to "Ballad of John & Yoko" (1969)
You can hear this on the Past Masters Vol. 2 album or the "Blue" Greatest Hits. I recommend the Past Masters collections so you aren't getting a lot of the songs twice. The Past Masters (volumes 1 and 2) collect all of The Beatles songs that were singles/EPs only and are not available on the official UK Beatles albums.
"Only a Northern Song" - Yellow Submarine (1968)
Of the 4 new songs on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, 2 of them were George's. This one (which is OK) and "It's All Too Much" (which is awesome.)
"Piggies" - The White Album (1968)
Wonderfully weird, just like most of the rest of The White Album which is, in my opinion, The Beatles greatest album.
"Savoy Truffle" - The White Album (1968)
It actually took me a long time to get into this song, but now I think it's pretty great. It's a grower.
"Something" - Abbey Road (1969)
Frank Sinatra's favorite "Lennon/McCartney" song. Yes he really said that. To this day I don't know if that was a dig at Lennon/McCartney or if he really didn't know they didn't write it.
"The Inner Light" - B-Side to "Lady Madonna" (1968)
Can be heard on the Past Masters, Volume Two. All instrumentation was by Indian musicians on Indian instruements. The instrumental track was actually recorded in Bombay, India.
"Taxman" - Revolver (1966)
Paul McCartney actually plays the lead guitar part on this. McCartney's fast noisy guitar solos were inspired by Jimi Hendrix who was still mostly unknown at the time.
"Think for Yourself" - Rubber Soul (1965)
Always seemed to me to be a bit of a brother to Lennon's "The Word" from the same album.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - The White Album (1968)
Features Eric Clapton on lead guitar. One of Harrison's best.
"Within You Without You" - Sgt Pepper (1967)
The Beatles most fully realized song in this genre. To me it's an essential part of the Sgt. Pepper album. This was Harrison's only songwriting/lead singing contribution to that legendary album.
"You Like Me Too Much" - Help! (1965)
Reasonably catchy song - I like some of the vocal parts, but the lyrics are pretty bad. Not a Harrison highlight.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Moon
http://EzineArticles.com/?George-Harrisons-Beatles-Songs&id=1380581
In my opinion, George's songs range from OK to reasonably good only if you ignore the words. With the exception of the two Abbey Road songs, Good Morning Sunshine and Something, they betray his disdain for people and in While My Guitar Gently Weeps, an attack on someone. They give the impression of extreme self-conceit and a lack of the basic understanding that other people can feel and hurt just as much as he can. Considered as an indication of his personality they show a cold, distant man with no concept of community or loyalty.
ReplyDeleteMiss Jane Marple
http://marplesbeatles.wordpress.com