Blow Away (1979) – George Harrison

I grew up on the music of John Lennon, and since his life was tragically cut short, my musical appreciation gradually leaned more towards George Harrison in recent years. My parents didn’t own any of George’s solo records, and it wasn’t until the Traveling Wilburys burst onto the scene that I really heard Harrison outside of the Beatles. Even then, for years I remained largely unfamiliar with his solo work – until I started this blog. It was thanks to other people’s music articles that I finally discovered just how wonderful George’s solo output truly is. It’s crazy to think how talented the Beatles were when this guy is considered their third best songwriter.

Blow Away is such a lucid and sunny song although funnily enough its starts out being about rain and clouds, however in the latter verses the day turns brighter with rainbows even appearing.

George Harrison said in an interview with Rolling Stone 1979:
‘Blow Away’ I like because it’s so catchy; in fact, I was a bit embarrassed about it at first, but it turned our good and people seem to like it. That was the first new tune I wrote. I was in the garden and it was pouring down with rain, and I suddenly became aware that I was feeling depressed, being affected by the weather. And it’s important to remember that while everything else around you changes, the soul within remains the same; you have to constantly remember that and fight for the right to be happy.

Blow Away is one of George’s most popular recordings from his solo career whilst also being one of his simplest compositions. The track if often cited as one his “10 Best Songs” amongst his fans.
Blow Away was the lead single from his 1979 album titled George Harrison. It reached number 51 in the UK and peaked at number 16 and number 34, respectively, in the United States and Australia. 

[Verse 1]
Day turned black, sky ripped apart
Rained for a year ’til it dampened my heart
Cracks and the leaks, the floorboards caught rot
About to go down, I had almost forgot

[Chorus]
All I got to do is to
To love you
All I got to be is
Be happy
All it’s got to take is some warmth to make it
Blow away, blow away, blow away
All I got to do is to
To love you
All I got to be is
Be happy
All it’s got to take is some warmth to make it
Blow away, blow away, blow away

[Verse 2]
Sky cleared up, day turned to bright
Closing both eyes, now the head’s filled with light
Hard to remember what a state I was in
Instant amnesia, yang to the yin

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Wind blew in, cloud was dispersed
Rainbows appearing, the pressures were burst
Breezes a-singing, now feeling good
A moment had passed, like I knew that it should

[Chorus]

References:
1. Blew Away – Wikipedia

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“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand