Top 10 - George Harrison contributions to the Beatles

By Jim Feighan
Collegian Staff
October 18, 2006

When discussing The Beatles with friends, most people pick either John or Paul as their favorite band member. And while it’s true that their songs accounted for the majority of the Beatles’ catalog, I will always have a place in my heart for the “Quiet Beatle,” George (sorry, Ringo). Here are 10 examples of George’s important contributions to one of the greatest bands ever:

10) “Within You, Without You” – Harrison ends the A side of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band with a beautiful sitar composition containing abstract, existential lyrics.

9) “Blue Jay Way” – This is one of Harrison’s darker songs, written on a Hammond organ one afternoon while he waited for a friend to visit him in California.

8) “I Want To Tell You” – The backbone of Revolver, Harrison barely plays the lead guitar on this song and instead focuses on out-singing both John and Paul during the harmonies.

7) “Piggies” – Seemingly light-hearted at first, this song takes advantage of a harpsichord and lyrics that address the greed that Harrison witnessed in higher social classes.

6) “Love You Too” – Heavily influenced by Indian music, this was the first Beatle’s song that allowed Harrison to express his newfound love of the sitar.

5) “If I Needed Someone” – One of the more underrated tracks from Rubber Soul, it displays Harrison’s independence against McCartney’s stronghold of what The Beatles would and wouldn’t release.

4) “Taxman” – Harrison takes the place of the crooked tax collector that The Beatles had to put up with during the height of their popularity.

3) “Something” – One of the most-covered Beatles songs, it is a touching love ballad that is one of Harrison’s most recognizable contributions to The Beatles catalog.

2) “Here Comes The Sun” – Reminiscent of Harrison’s ’70s solo work, “Here Comes The Sun” is a great example of how his songwriting evolved from simple pop melodies to intricate folk songs.

1) “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – The highpoint on the first side of The White Album, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is five minutes of Harrison and The Beatles coming together, with help from friend Eric Clapton on lead guitar to create a legendary ’60s rock song.

feighanj1@lasalle.edu