Cheer Down

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Cheer Down" by George Harrison from the Lethal Weapon 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. This track, released in 1989, has a cool backstory. The title comes from a phrase Harrison’s wife, Olivia, used when he got overly excited, saying, “Okay, cheer down, big fellow.” That’s some laid-back love right there! Harrison started working on the song during his 1987 Cloud Nine sessions but didn’t finish the lyrics until Tom Petty stepped in to help. The tune was initially meant for Eric Clapton’s album Journeyman, but director Richard Donner heard a rough cut and begged Harrison to include it in Lethal Weapon 2 after Clapton passed on the gig. It ended up playing over the film’s closing credits, giving it that perfect cinematic vibe.

Here’s a fun tidbit: Harrison, a man of peace who found the film “amazingly violent,” still dug Lethal Weapon 2 for Mel Gibson’s performance and enjoyed working with Donner, whom he called “very nice.” The song’s slide guitar solo, a highlight for many fans, showcases Harrison’s signature style, with critics praising its fluid, Indian-blues flair. He performed “Cheer Down” live during his 1991 Japan tour with Clapton, his first tour since 1974, and even jokingly introduced it as a track from the musical South Pacific. A live version from that tour, recorded at the Tokyo Dome, made it onto his 1992 album Live in Japan. Oh, and the @GeorgeHarrison X account posted about the song’s UK single release on November 27, 1989, with a link to that live performance—check it out for some retro feels!

Now, let’s rewind to how George Harrison got his start. Born in Liverpool, England, in 1943, Harrison was a working-class kid who fell in love with music early on. By his teens, he was obsessed with the guitar, practicing relentlessly after getting his first one at age 13. He met Paul McCartney at school, and through him, joined John Lennon’s skiffle group, The Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles. Harrison was the youngest Beatle, but his songwriting and guitar work—like those iconic riffs in “Day Tripper”—made him a legend. After The Beatles broke up in 1970, he launched a solo career with the triple album All Things Must Pass, a spiritual and musical masterpiece featuring hits like “My Sweet Lord.” His love for Indian music, sparked in the mid-1960s, also shaped his sound, and he became a lifelong advocate for peace and spirituality, even funding films like Monty Python’s Life of Brian through his production company, HandMade Films.

Want to dive deeper into Harrison’s world? His official website, georgeharrison.com, is packed with news, music, and merch. Follow him on socials for updates: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can connect on the George Harrison Fans Facebook group, a chill spot for Zoo Freaks to share their love for the Quiet Beatle. There’s also Harrison Archive, a fan-run site with deep dives into his life and music. So, keep vibing with the Zoo Crew, and let “Cheer Down” lift your spirits!