George Harrison's Beatles Songs
The Third Beatles' Legacy includes Here Comes the Sun and Something
Nov 23, 2008
For eight years overshadowed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George Harrison first established his songwriting presence on the Beatles’ second album in 1963. Hecontinued penning originals until the band’s breakup in 1970.
George Harrison’s officially released Beatles output includes less than 30 songs. They are among the most well-loved and radio friendly, and include the number one single “Something,” and timeless hits “Here Comes the Sun” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Early George Harrison Beatles Songs - 1963-1965,
George Harrison’s first Beatles song was penned in 1963 for the With the Beatles album. “Don’t Bother Me,” a light song packed deep into the album premiers on this early pop-Beatles album.
Followed by two albums without a songwriting credit, Harrison returned on Help! with “I Need You,” the first in a long line of George Harrison love songs. This was followed by “You Like Me Too Much.” This double-song output would begin a trend followed by Harrison for much of the Beatles reign atop pop music’s throne.
Taxman, Within You Without You, and more of George Harrison's Beatles songs
Following Help! 1965s Rubber Soul found two more George Harrison Beatles songs in “Think For Yourself." This was beginning of a transcendental theme of songwriting for Harrison, and “If I Needed Someone,” a late album track continuing Harrison’s long line of successful love songs.
Revolver followed as the only Beatles album to feature three George Harrison songs. “Taxman,” a lament to the tax money lost by Harrison in the 1960s, was famously covered by Stevie Ray Vaughn; “Love You To” and “I Want to Tell You,” another two love songs, were the first by Harrison to introduce the sitar used by the singer to such success later in his career. Also featuring the sitar is Harrison’s “Within You Without You” on the Paul McCartney dominated Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Later George Harrison Beatles songs, Here Comes the Sun, and Something
George Harrison’s Beatles songs continued on 1968s Magical Mystery Tour with “Blue Jay Way,” and then on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album with “It’s All Too Much.” The double-LP self-titled 1968 album featured four Harrison compositions. These included the most famous "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," with lead guitar played by Eric Clapton. Also from The Beatles is "Long, Long, Long," "Piggies," and "Savoy Truffle."
Perhaps Harrison’s most famous songs came on the Beatles two final albums. “Something,” on Abbey Road, was Harrison only song to reach number one with the Beatles, and “Here Comes the Sun” is among the Beatles most covered and most recognizable tunes. Let It Be concluded George Harrison’s Beatles song output with the acoustic “For You Blue” and the scathing “I Me Mine,” a tale of jealousy and greed as the band broke ties with each other.
With vocal credits on early songs penned by others, such as “Do You Want to Know a Secret” and “I.Don’t Want to Spoil the Party,” Harrison's credits not only included songwriting. He can also be found on unreleased George Harrison Beatles songs, such as “Not Guilty” and “All Things Must Pass.” Harrison’s songwriting continued after the break-up, and he was the first Beatle to achieve a number one album in 1970.
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