It’s between John Lennon and George Harrison as to my favourite Beatle. We had John writing; just prior to his tragic passing – Watching the Wheels as reference to the The Wheel of Fortune seen in a lot of Gothic cathedrals. And George was this mystical-Eastern thinker that incorporated a lot of his worldview into his music and influenced others including of course the Beatles and that’s where we come to today’s featured track – My Sweet Lord. As I grow older and a little bit wiser, some music artists like George Harrison leave an indelible mark or feel like a kindred spirit the more I hear from them.
My Sweet Lord is from George Harrison’s 1970 album All Things Must Pass which was his first solo album and released just 7 months after the break-up of the Beatles. It featured as a double A side single with Isn’t It a Pity which I wrote about in November, 2022. My Sweet Lord was the first number-one single by an ex-Beatle and the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK. Aside from his contributions as a former Beatle and Traveling Wilbury, My Sweet Lord is the fifth song to appear here so far from George Harrison (solo). This is not my favourite George (post Beatles) single, that would go to Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) – his second US number 1 after today’s featured track.
[Chorus]
My sweet Lord
Mmm, my Lord
Mmm, my Lord
[Verse 1]
I really wanna see you
Really wanna be with you
Really wanna see you, Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord
[Chorus]
My sweet Lord
Mmm, my Lord
Mmm, my Lord
[Verse 2]
I really wanna know you
I’d really wanna go with you
I really wanna show you, Lord, that it won’t take long, my Lord
My Sweet Lord has overt religious connotations and references. Harrison wrote it in praise of the Hindu god Krishna, but it also contains Christian references. It’s said that Harrison’s goal was to combine both religions in one song so as to call out religious sectarianism, or the perceived notion of conflict between groups.
The recording features producer Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound treatment and heralded the arrival of Harrison’s slide guitar technique, which he introduced with All Things Must Pass and also heavily prevalent in the song Isn’t It a Pity.
Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Gary Brooker, Bobby Whitlock and members of the group Badfinger are among the other musicians on the recording of My Sweet Lord. The song remains the most popular composition from his post-Beatles career.
Harrison was sued for plagiarizing a similar tune to The Chiffons’ He’s So Fine. Harrison was eventually found guilty of ‘subconscious plagiarism’. The verdict caused a tidal wave in the music world with many artists rushing to add credits to their songs in which they borrowed similar tunes or were heavily inspired by.
Reference:
1. The Meaning Behind “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison – American Songwriter
2. My Sweet Lord – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I bought this 45 when it came out. Played it over and over again..still gets to me.
I wish I had heard George’s solo output growing up like you did. We had only John’s albums. Then a massive jump to the Traveling Wilburys. I missed all his inbetween stuff until recent decades. By golly is it good.
My best friend back then was a fanatic about George. He made me one. George stayed true to himself I believe…..
Yes, same here. Max at PowerPop got me into George’s solo stuff because he’s a huge Beatles fan. I mean he has read everything and anything about them. If anyone has a question about them, then he’s the guy to ask. I’m thankful.
I agree George was the real deal. I mean who else could convince Dylan to be part of a ‘has been’ group? The guy’s legacy is beyond reproach.
I believe that the Wilburys are the best group ever assembled. They meshed together so well. All the parts are icons and, like you said I believe only George with his calmness could bring it together..
You imagine playing second fiddle to Lennon and McCartney all those years? That’s got to take some discipline and humility when he’s got that much talent.
Had to be tough. He certainly must have great self control. The quiet Beatle had a lot to say.
Your description is wonderfully insightful.
Absolutely George all the way for me. I have dedicated music blogs as well as stories to George. He was an incredibly talented musician and a kick-ass guitar player …. so damn under-rated and unappreciated by his band of brothers (except for Ringo who loves everyone). An enormously talented, generous, decent, soulful, thoughtful, introspective, funny, spiritual and accepting man. I adore him.
Thanks for this excellent post, Matt.
For one of my GH reads, if you are so inclined, click here.
~ Nancy
Hi Nancy.
Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on George’s talent and legacy. I agree he was underrated even amongst his own ilk. ‘Isn’t it a Pity’ was initially rejected for inclusion on releases by the Beatles in 1966 as well as the title track ‘All Things Must Pass’. He got his just deserts with a stellar solo career and the first No 1 hit by a former Beatle which culminated in his forming the legendary group Traveling Wilburys. I will read the article you sent me. Thanks so much.
Great comments, Matt.
I truly believe George achieved the greatest solo career of all four Beatles. Success should not be measured by how much someone cranks out year after year but by the quality. George Harrison stands head and shoulders above the others.
Thanks so much!
I agree. If John had not been taken from us, then who knows? I still miss them both so much.
All of this reminds me of Christina Perri’s modern gem ‘Evergone’. Her lyrical prowess in this song is otherworldly, masterful and I can’t help but think of the impact of the loss of not just legends of music like we are speaking of, but people close to us.
Stunning! A brilliant message.
Thanks for the share, Matt.
I’m chuffed you like it. Christina is my favourite female contemporary female artist by a long stretch. I think I’m up to about 20 articles of her music.
“All Things Must Pass” is George Harrison’s masterpiece, IMHO. I’ve always liked “My Sweet Lord” though I also prefer “Give Me Love” and some of his other songs. While George enjoyed huge chart and commercial success when he released “My Sweet Lord” as a single, as you noted, all turned out to be a mixed blessing when several years later he was found guilty for copyright infringement.
Hi Christian. As I wrote, I think from my limited listening exposure to his music ‘Give Me Love’ is my favourite. I can’t get enough of it. I could have it on repeat and not grow tired of it. ‘My Sweet Lord’ I like on occasions. ‘All Things Must Pass’ – the same. But I can sure as hell understand how someone like your good self might have that as their stand-out from his solo career. I prefer ‘Handle Me With Care’ from TW above the two aforementioned but that was a collaboration, but in hindsight it was really a Harrison song.
Spectacular!!