15 years ago to the day, the world lost one of its more influential music talents when throat cancer claimed the life of George Harrison. The lead guitarist and one of the four members of The Beatles, arguably the most successful musical group of all time, left a long legacy behind. His superior guitar-playing ability was only surpassed by a creative mind that, while not celebrated as much as his iconic band mates John Lennon and Paul McCartney, still contributed a plethora of hits to The Beatles’ enormous catalogue. Indeed, the ‘silent Beatle’ might’ve left earth, but his music never will. Here are five of the most famous songs that Harrison wrote and sung for the Beatles:
1- While My Guitar Gently Weeps:
Probably the standout track in 1968’s The Beatles, alternatively dubbed the White Album by many. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” represented Harrison’s writing skills at their introspective, philosophical best, and featured a killer lead guitar line played by longtime friend and legendary guitarist, Eric Clapton.
2- Within You Without You:
Not many songs have captured The Beatles’ creative weirdness in the 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band quite as much as “Within You Without You.” The song had an undeniable Indian influence due to Harrison’s memorable fascination with Hindu culture.
3- Something:
Regarded by many, including both Lennon and McCartney, as the magnum opus of Abbey Road, one of The Beatles’ most iconic albums, “Something” truly showcased Harrison’s incredible progression as a songwriter with its simple, yet eminently memorable rhythm. In fact, the song is claimed to be the second most covered The Beatles song in history, only behind “Yesterday.”
4- Taxman:
“Taxman” combined one of The Beatles’ more upbeat tones with one of their more loaded and targeted lyrics. Through its important political subtext, “Taxman” has a message that still resonates with many today as much as it did at its release 50 years ago.
5- Here Comes the Sun:
The ultimate feel-good song was composed by Harrison during a dark period of his life. Around its release, he had his tonsils removed, was arrested for marijuana possession and even quit The Beatles temporarily. “Here Comes the Sun” represented his recognition that music could be a cure to all of life’s ailments and that the night is darkest just before the dawn.