My Sweet Lord

The Zoo Crew is spinning "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison from his landmark album All Things Must Pass, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this spiritual classic! This song, released in November 1970, has a fascinating backstory. Harrison began writing it in December 1969 while touring with Delaney & Bonnie in Copenhagen, inspired by the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ gospel hit “Oh Happy Day.” He initially gave the song to Billy Preston, who recorded it for his album Encouraging Words in September 1970, two months before Harrison’s version hit the charts. The track blends the Hebrew “Hallelujah” with “Hare Krishna” chants, reflecting Harrison’s intent to transcend religious divides through universal spirituality. However, the song sparked controversy when Bright Tunes Music sued Harrison in 1971, claiming it resembled The Chiffons’ 1963 hit “He’s So Fine.” In 1976, a judge ruled Harrison had “subconsciously plagiarized” the tune, leading to a lengthy legal battle that ended in 1998 with Harrison paying $587,000 and gaining rights to “He’s So Fine” in North America and the UK. Harrison later reflected in his 1980 memoir I Me Mine, saying he wasn’t consciously aware of the similarity but felt the song’s spiritual motive outweighed the legal hassle.

Another intriguing tidbit comes from a 2018 post on the official George Harrison X account, which noted that the 2001 reissue of All Things Must Pass included a new version of “My Sweet Lord” featuring vocals by Sam Brown, acoustic guitar by Harrison’s son Dhani, and tambourine by Ray Cooper. The song’s live performance at the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh cemented its status as Harrison’s most iconic solo work, and it topped charts again in the UK in 2002 after his passing. Covers by artists like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley—who, in 2023, said he chose to cover it because he loved the song and later learned his father, Bob Marley, had met Harrison in 1975—show its enduring appeal. The recording process was a star-studded affair at Abbey Road Studios, with Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production and contributions from Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, and Badfinger, among others.

George Harrison, born February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, England, began his musical journey as a teenager fascinated by skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll. At 15, he joined John Lennon’s Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles. Initially the “quiet Beatle,” Harrison’s guitar work and songwriting grew in prominence, with classics like “Something” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” showcasing his talent. His interest in Indian music, sparked by meeting Ravi Shankar in 1965, led him to study the sitar and incorporate Eastern influences into The Beatles’ sound, as heard in “Norwegian Wood.” Before All Things Must Pass, Harrison released two solo albums: Wonderwall Music (1968), a film soundtrack, and Electronic Sound (1969), an experimental synthesizer project. The Beatles’ breakup in 1970 freed Harrison to unleash his backlog of songs, resulting in the triple album All Things Must Pass, which topped charts worldwide and established him as a formidable solo artist.

Fans can explore more about Harrison at his official website, which offers discography details, news, and archival content. His official Facebook page and Instagram account share updates, throwback photos, and tributes, while the X account posts about reissues and milestones. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with fellow fans, the George Harrison Fans Facebook group is a vibrant community discussing his music and legacy. Another fan hub, The Beatles’ official website, includes Harrison’s contributions, and the r/beatles Reddit community often dives into his solo work. These platforms keep Harrison’s spirit alive for fans old and new.