50 - 1 George Harrison

[Zuma]

9 - Be Here Now - Living In The Material World - 1973

A beautiful acoustic and piano ballad sung calmly in contrast to Harrison's more urgent and emotive singing elsewhere on this album. Soft and meditative, the arrangement is ethereal and gradually builds until it fades. This is one of my personal favourite songs from George that I take great inspiration from.



Remember, Now, Be Here Now
As it's not like it was before.
The past, was, Be Here Now
As it's not like it was before - it was

Why try to live a life,
that isn't real,
no how
A mind, that wants to wander,
'round a corner,
is an un-wise mind

Now, Is, Be Here Now
and it's not what it was before,
Remember, Now, Be Here Now
as it's not like it was before - it was

 

[Zuma]

8 - Dark Horse - Dark Horse - 1974

This song may come as a surprise to a few of your as a Top 10 selection this somewhat autobiographical gallop delivered hoarsely yet with all the spirit, grit and character that propelled George as the ex-beatle who shot out of the starting gates and arguably eclipsing the more older fancied stallions Lennon and McCartney from the Beatles stable post break up. The title song and sole single was by far the best from the Dark Horse album which was recorded under duress in time for Harrison to endure a historic yet tumultuous tour of North America in late 1974 which drew criticism some warranted, some unwarranted which is entirely another story. However the highlight from this period for Harrison, suffering a bout of addiction, illness and relationship issues. It was somewhat of a triumph that Harrison performed the song in a much healthier happier state during his last concert tour if Japan in 1991 and his shows in England and the US during 1992.

Studio Version from 1974


Live from Japan circa 1991


You thought that you knew where I was and when
But it looks like they've been foolin' you again,
You thought that you'd got me all steaked out
But baby looks like I've been breaking out

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I stepped from out of the womb
I've been a cool jerk
Looking for the source
I'm a dark horse.

You thought you had got me in your grip
Baby looks like you was not so smart
And I became too slippery for you
But let me say that was nothing new.

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I picked up my first spoon
I've been a cool jerk
Looking for the source
I'm a dark horse

I thought that you knew it all along
Until you started getting me not right
Seems as if you heared a little late
But I warned you when
We both were at the starting gate

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I stepped from out of the womb
I've been a cool jerk
Cooking at the source
I'm a dark horse.

 

[Zuma]

7 - Stuck Inside a Cloud - Brainwashed - 2002

An achingly honest account of George's final years comes in at #7 - George's favourite number and also the track number on the album. Stuck Inside Cloud like many of Harrison's best tunes features stunningly sublime slide guitar playing and is definitely one of the best songs he ever wrote.



Never slept so little
Never smoked so much
Lost my concentration I could even lose my touch

Talking to myself
Crying out loud
Only I can hear me
I'm stuck inside a cloud

I made some exhibition
I lost my will to eat
The only thing that matters to me is to touch your lotus feet

Talking to myself
Crying out loud
Only I can hear me
I'm stuck inside a cloud
Talking to myself
Crying out loud
Only I can hear me
And I'm stuck inside a cloud

Talking to myself
Crying out loud
Only I can hear me
I'm stuck inside a cloud

Never been so crazy
But I've never felt so sure
I wish I had the answer to give
Don't even have the cure

Just talking to myself
Crying as we part
Knowing as you leave me
I also lose my heart
Talking to myself
Now crying as we part
Knowing as you leave me
I also lose my heart

 

[Zuma]

6 - What is Life? - All Things Must Pass - 1970

Starting with a fuzzy riff, then a bass line then bang! an entire musical wall of sound explodes into George's exuberantly infectious monster of a pop hit released as the second single from ATMP and a Top 10 hit in the US. A popular song featuring in several movies it was also performed at The Concert for Bangladesh and is arguably the catchiest George Harrison solo single.

 

[Zuma]

5 - Rising Sun - Brainwashed - 2002

Close your eyes and absorb this masterful song one of Harrison's last recorded.



On the street of villains taken for a ride
You can have the devil as a guide
Crippled by the boundaries, programmed into guilt
Til your nervous system starts to tilt
In a room of mirrors you can see for miles
But everything that's there is in disguise
Every word you've uttered and every thought you've had
Is all inside your file the good and the bad

But in the rising sun you can feel your life begin
Universe at play inside your DNA
You're a billion years old today
Oh the rising sun and the place it's coming from
Is inside of you and now your payment's overdue
Oh the rising sun, oh the rising sun

On the avenue of sinners I have been employed
Working there til I was near destroyed
I was almost a statistic inside a doctor's case
When I heard the messenger from inner space
He was sending me a signal that for so long I had ignored
But he held on to my umbilical cord
Until the ghost of memory trapped in my body mind
Came out of hiding to become alive

And in the rising sun you can hear your life begin
And it's here and there nowhere and everywhere
Though it's atmosphere is rare
Oh the rising sun and the place that it's coming from
Is inside of me and now I feel it constantly
Oh the rising sun, oh the rising sun

And in the rising sun you can feel your life begin
Universe at play inside your DNA
You're a billion years old today
Oh the rising sun and the place it's coming from
Is inside of you, now your payment's overdue
Oh the rising sun, oh the rising sun
Oh the rising sun, ooh

 

[Zuma]

4 - Beware of Darkness - All Things Must Pass - 1970

An elegantly majestic rock ballad Beware of Darkness is very much one of Harrison's greatest recordings whether it is the acoustic demo, the tastefully arranged studio version on ATMP or the moving live performance given at the Concert for Bangladesh.

Acoustic Demo


Studio version


Live from MSG


Watch out now, take care
Beware of falling swingers
Dropping all around you
The pain that often mingles
In your fingertips
Beware of darkness

Watch out now, take care
Beware of the thoughts that linger
Winding up inside your head
The hopelessness around you
In the dead of night

Beware of sadness
It can hit you
It can hurt you
Make you sore and what is more
That is not what you are here for

Watch out now, take care
Beware of soft shoe shufflers
Dancing down the sidewalks
As each unconscious sufferer
Wanders aimlessly
Beware of Maya

Watch out now, take care
Beware of greedy leaders
They take you where you should not go
While Weeping Atlas Cedars
They just want to grow, grow and grow
Beware of darkness

 

[Zuma]

3 - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) - Living in The Material World - 1973

The title says it all really. George scored his second #1 hit with this melodically beautiful and catchy acoustic driven song featuring some gorgeous slide guitar work and great piano, keyboard, bass and drums from session musician friends Nicky Hopkins, Gary Wright, Klaus Voorman and Jim Keltner respectively. The song actually knocked off Paul McCartney and Wings "My Love" off the top spot in the US in May of 1973 being the one and only occasion that solo Beatles held the #1 and #2 spot simultaneously.



Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M
M M M My Lord . . .

PLEASE take hold of my hand, that
I might understand you

Won't you please
Oh won't you

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M
M M M My Lord . . .

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

What is Life and Beware of Darkness . All of these are great but they are two of my personal favourites from him.

 

[Zuma]

2 - Isn't It A Pity - All Things Must Pass - 1970

Version One


George's very own "Hey Jude" Isn't A Pity is a moving ballad about the dignity of moving on from life's situations. As good as any Beatle recording in my opinion. Recorded in two versions I always thought that Pink Floyd were listening to the arrangement as I can hear it in some of their work some years later especially on Dark Side of the Moon.

Version Two

 

[Eddie Dingle]

I think I know what numero uno will be.......

Great work again Zuma.

Any chance of a Ween 50-1????

 

[Zuma]

1 - My Sweet Lord - All Things Must Pass - 1970

To hear this song full blast after all these years in all its glory is something to behold and as most people know it was a monster world wide chart topper for George Harrison giving him the distinction of the first Beatle to score a solo #1.



Written in 1969 and Inspired by "Oh Happy Day" the record was painstakingly recorded track after track under the supervision of Phil Spector who declared it a hit single before release and became the subject of a lengthy lawsuit with claim of lifts of 2 motifs from the Chiffon's "He's So Fine". Alan Klein then proceeded to do the dirty on Harrison by purchasing the rights of both songs and further pursuing Harrison in the courts which went on until 1976 where Harrison was awarded with copyright of the 2 songs and the final put to bed of the case.

I don't think anything could dull the shine of this great song like so many of Harrison's best tuneful, uplifting, acoustic guitars and slide guitar. I am not a religious man but I love the chanting, the song gives me goosebumps more than R.L Stine ever did.



In 2000 Harrison re-recorded a version of the song featuring a more stripped down arrangement and more slide guitar. His vocals, weary with illness were complemented with the sweet voice of Sam Brown. This recording topped the charts once again in the wake of Harrison's too soon death.

 

[Zuma]

I think I know what numero uno will be.......

Great work again Zuma.

Any chance of a Ween 50-1????

Thank you. I am not familiar with Ween please feel free to do a 50-1 if you so wish.
I have some other artists I would like to feature if people are not already sick to death with my 50-1 series

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I have some other artists I would like to feature if people are not already sick to death with my 50-1 series

Definitely not!

Best threads on BigFooty

 

[Zuma]

I like to encourage some discussion after the 50-1 regarding any memories you had with George's music, whether you were lucky enough to have seen him live or had met him, etc.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

Thank you. I am not familiar with Ween please feel free to do a 50-1 if you so wish.
I have some other artists I would like to feature if people are not already sick to death with my 50-1 series

Zuma I would love you to do a 50-1 of any band you see fit. I have discovered songs by artists that I thought I knew through your countdowns and just love the whole thing. I'm a bit pissed and a bit drugged up but I love you man.

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

For those who haven't seen Scorsese's Living in the Material World I highly recommend that you do so. A great insight into the life and career of the man which this thread is dedicated to .

 

[Fossie 32]

Great thread thank you Zuma. I have done a Doors' top 30 but if you can do one would be great, with all your brill commentary.

My fave George songs are

1 What Is Life
2 Awaiting on You All [Inspiring, though I'm not really religious]
3 The Art of Dying
4 Let It Down [loved that acoustic version! ]
5 All Things Must Pass
6 Bangla Desh
7 Beware of Darkness
8 Isn't It A Pity

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I love the demo version he did of It Don't Come Easy