Introduction:
My Sweet Lord, a gospel-infused rock song written and performed by George Harrison, marked a significant turning point in his musical career. Debuting in 1970 on his monumental triple album, All Things Must Pass, the song arrived shortly after the official dissolution of the Beatles. This period proved to be a time of immense creative output for Harrison, and My Sweet Lord became a powerful expression of his evolving spiritual beliefs.
While still rooted in rock and roll, My Sweet Lord incorporated prominent elements of gospel music, a genre that had always resonated with Harrison. The song’s instrumentation featured a simple yet effective backdrop for Harrison’s vocals and lyrics. A slide guitar riff, played by Harrison himself, became a recognizable feature of the song, weaving its way throughout the melody. The rhythm section, anchored by bassist Klaus Voormann and drummer Ringo Starr, Harrison’s former bandmate, provided a steady and soulful groove. Phil Collins, another future rock legend, also contributed to the song on drums. My Sweet Lord was co-produced by Harrison himself alongside Phil Spector, known for his signature “Wall of Sound” production style. Spector’s influence can be heard in the layered backing vocals and overall richness of the recording.
My Sweet Lord became a tremendous commercial success. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and topped charts in numerous other countries around the world. It was also the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the United Kingdom. This widespread acclaim solidified Harrison’s status as a successful solo artist and introduced his spiritual and philosophical explorations to a massive audience.
However, the song’s path wasn’t without controversy. The overt religious themes and lyrics, particularly Harrison’s repeated refrain of “Hare Krishna,” attracted legal action. The Bright Tunes publishing company filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement, alleging similarities between My Sweet Lord and their song “He’s So Fine” written by Ronnie Mack. A lengthy legal battle ensued, with Harrison ultimately found guilty of “unconscious plagiarism.” Despite this legal hurdle, My Sweet Lord‘s enduring legacy remains.
Today, My Sweet Lord is considered a classic of rock music and a cornerstone of Harrison’s solo career. The song continues to be embraced by fans for its uplifting message, catchy melody, and its embodiment of Harrison’s sincere spiritual yearning.
Video:
Lyrics:
My sweet LordMm, my LordMm, my Lord
I really want to see youReally want to be with youReally want to see you, LordBut it takes so long, my Lord
My sweet LordMm, my LordMm, my Lord
I really want to know youReally want to go with youReally want to show you, LordThat it won’t take long, my Lord
My sweet Lord(Hallelujah)Mm my Lord(Hallelujah)My sweet Lord(Hallelujah)
Really wanna see youReally wanna see youReally wanna see you, LordReally wanna see you, LordBut it takes so long, my Lord
My sweet Lord(Hallelujah)Mm, my Lord(Hallelujah)My, my, my Lord(Hallelujah)
I really wanna know you(Hallelujah)Really wanna go with you(Hallelujah)Really wanna show you, LordThat it won’t take long, my Lord(Hallelujah)
Mmm(Hallelujah)My sweet Lord(Hallelujah)My, my Lord(Hallelujah)
Mmm, my Lord (Hare Krishna)My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)Oh, my sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)Oh (Hare Hare)Now I really wanna see you (Hare Rama)Really wanna be with you (Hare Rama)Really wanna see you, LordBut it takes so long, my Lord (Hallelujah)Mm, my Lord (Hallelujah)My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)My sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)My Lord (Hare Hare)Mmmm (Gurur Brahma)Mmmm (Gurur Vishnu)Mmmm (Gurur Devo)Mmmm (Maheshwara)My sweet Lord (Gurur Sakshaat)My sweet Lord (Parabrahma)My, my, my Lord (Tasmayi Shree)My, my, my, my Lord (Guruve Namah)My sweet Lord (Hare Rama, Hare Krishna)My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)My sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)