Why does it not surprise me to learn Something is a George penned track. Along with Here Comes the Sun from the same record Abbey Road, music historians marked Something as his ascendancy as a composer and foreshadowing the sparse and luscious sounds of his immediate offerings as a solo artist subsequent to The Beatles demise although he had written many of the songs beforehand.
Something is a striking outpouring to the loved ones in our lives. I was initially so-so with this song, but over time I have come to recognise it as a beautiful love song. I like how it’s without metaphors, direct, that goes deep into the heart, without asking permission; so subtle that you only know it is there when it is already deep inside. Heck, it was even hailed by Frank Sinatra as the greatest love song of the past 50 years. It was him also who mistakenly introduced it in live performance as a Lennon-McCartney song. My favourite part of Something is its magnificent Bridge which projects it into the stratosphere.
There seems some conjecture about who the song was penned for. Presumably given the images in the video below it was about Pattie Boyd – Harrison’s then-wife (who would go on to get involved with numerous other rockstars, most notably Eric Clapton).
George later denied that the song was about her:
Well no, I didn’t [write it about her]. I just wrote it, and then somebody put together a video. And what they did was they went out and got some footage of me and Pattie, Paul and Linda, Ringo and Maureen, it was at that time, and John and Yoko and they just made up a little video to go with it. So then, everybody presumed I wrote it about Pattie, but actually, when I wrote it, I was thinking of Ray Charles.
[Verse 1]
Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me
[Chorus]
I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
[Verse 2]
Somewhere in her smile, she knows
That I don’t need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me
[Chorus]
I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
[Bridge]
You’re asking me, will my love grow?
I don’t know, I don’t know
You stick around, now, it may show
I don’t know, I don’t know
[Verse 3]
Something in the way she knows
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me
[Chorus]
I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
Something began to be composed in 1968, during the recording and production sessions of the White Album. Songs were starting to be written by each of the members separately as if four individuals are each going their own way. George Harrison’s original idea was to compose the song for another artist. Names like Jackie Lomax and Joe Cocker for instance, the latter recording a demo and release after The Beatles‘. Yet Lennon and McCartney saw Something as the best composition yet of their partner – selecting it as the first single from the album Abbey Road, which was the last album The Beatles recorded.
Although George Harrison was giving shape to Something; it was still not ready for the White Album so it was put on the back burner for a few months then worked on again and recorded during the sessions of the Abbey Road album. Two weeks after the album’s release, the song was issued on a double A-side single, coupled with Come Together, making it the first Harrison composition to become a Beatles A-side peaking at No4 in the UK and No1 in the US.
References:
1. Something (Beatles song) – Wikipedia
2. Something: Una maravillosa canción que llevó a George Harrison a la cúspide de The Beatles – Soonatas
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Saying that he was thinking about Ray Charles sounds like one of George’s deadpan jokes.
My few readers are probably across the Beatles personalities / history and music more than I am. He may well have been joking here.
This was my wedding song. 🥰
That’s adorable. I can’t begin to fathom the emotional connection you must have with this song. Did you both choose it?
Nothing but sweet memories whenever I hear this song, which we both agreed on. However, my dad was very old school and insisted we have a live band instead of a DJ for the reception. The band was not a professional wedding band, just a bunch of older guys from the post office where dad worked who got together and jammed. When I heard their cover of Something, I nearly cried and threw one of my very rare hissy fits. This happened days before the wedding so we had time. I told my dad we could hire his friends for the reception with one exception: we had to play the actual recording of the Beatles doing Something for my wedding dance. Dad didn’t like it but knew better than to argue. We compromised and everyone was happy in the end. If I hadn’t stuck to my guns, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.
Do you mind if I add this amazing, yet moving story to my next instalment of ‘News on the March’? God bless you for sharing it. It also complements this article perfectly. I have to run now and get my daughter up, but I will be in touch shortly. Bye Nancy.
By all means, Matt. Share away!
Hi there Nancy,
I just scheduled a post for Monday where it will appear your photo here and your comments. Can I use your photo?
Cheers Matt
Sure. Be my guest!
I’m relieved your Cat was found on the good porch of your neighbour. He wasn’t going anywhere. hehe
I don’t believe George…that was after he was divorced….but it is a great love song. I heard a few spots on teh bootleg Let It Be tapes that John was pointing where to go but not suggesting the words…George came up with a winner in this one and Here Comes The Sun
George may well have been fibbing getting over the emotional toll.
Great pick, Matt. Of course, what else would I say about a Beatles song! 🙂
Though seriously, to me, it’s one of the top Beatles songs and also among my favorites by George. I also Macca’s bass-playing on this track is among his best!
It’s in my top 10 Beatles and George songs. It’s a cracker.
Love The Beatles Matt! Fantastic song! Hope all is well.
Hi there. All’s good thank you. The same to you.