George Harrison – ‘My Sweet Lord’

Introduction:

“My Sweet Lord,” a seminal track from George Harrison’s post-Beatles career, was released as a single on November 23, 1970, in the United States, followed by its UK release on January 15, 1971. The song is prominently featured on his critically acclaimed and commercially successful triple album, All Things Must Pass, which was released in November 1970. Musically, “My Sweet Lord” is primarily categorized as gospel rock and pop rock, infused with spiritual and devotional themes. It seamlessly blends Harrison’s signature melodic sensibility with a powerful “wall of sound” production by Phil Spector, incorporating elements of Indian classical music and Western pop.

“My Sweet Lord” achieved phenomenal success and holds significant historical importance. It became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and marking a pivotal moment in George Harrison’s solo career. The song was the first number-one single by a former Beatle in both the UK and the US, a remarkable achievement that solidified Harrison’s artistic independence and songwriting prowess outside the confines of the legendary band. It ascended to number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for five weeks, becoming the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK. In the US, it reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot for four weeks. The song’s universal message of spiritual yearning and its captivating melody resonated deeply with audiences, leading to its widespread popularity.

However, “My Sweet Lord” also became the subject of a highly publicized and controversial plagiarism lawsuit. In 1971, Bright Tunes Music Corporation, the publisher of the Chiffons’ 1963 hit “He’s So Fine,” sued Harrison, alleging that “My Sweet Lord” copied their melody. While Harrison maintained that any similarity was subconscious, a judge ultimately ruled in 1976 that he was guilty of “subconscious plagiarism.” Despite this legal setback, the song’s musical legacy and its impact on pop culture remained undiminished. “My Sweet Lord” continues to be one of Harrison’s most beloved and enduring compositions, celebrated for its spiritual depth and its pioneering blend of Eastern and Western musical traditions. Its lasting influence is further evidenced by its numerous cover versions and its continued presence on radio airwaves and in popular media decades after its initial release.

Video:

https://youtu.be/nrCSqbqDYrk?si=SARhLfHLK4H-3pXu

George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" 1970 (Audio Remastered) (https://youtu.be/nrCSqbqDYrk?si=SARhLfHLK4H-3pXu)

THE SONG THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: THE UNTOLD TRUTH BEHIND CONWAY TWITTY’S FIRST NO. 1 HIT — AND THE SECRET WOMAN WHO INSPIRED IT.

Country song originally recorded by Conway Twitty. Released in 1988, it became one of his signature songs. The lyrics convey the emotions of heartbreak and the difficult process of saying goodbye.

HE STEPPED INTO HIS GRANDFATHER’S SHADOW — AND MADE THE WORLD CRY. When Tre Twitty, grandson of country legend Conway Twitty, took the stage to sing “Hello Darlin’,” it wasn’t just a tribute — it was a moment that felt suspended in time. The opening words alone sent chills through the crowd, echoing memories of a voice that once defined an era. But this wasn’t imitation. It was inheritance. It was legacy breathing again. As the spotlight fell on him, fans didn’t just hear a classic — they felt decades of love, loss, and longing woven into every note. Some closed their eyes. Others wiped away tears. In that fragile, beautiful silence between verses, it felt as if Conway himself was standing there once more. One song. One grandson. And a performance that reminded country music why legends never truly say goodbye.

LAST NOTE FROM A LEGEND: Randy Owen’s Quiet Goodbye May Be the Song That Stops Country Music in Its Tracks. Country music seemed to hold its breath today when word spread that Randy Owen, the unmistakable voice behind Alabama, is writing what could be the final song of his storied career. Through tears, his wife shared that the man who once filled stadiums with anthems has stepped away from the spotlight—not for another tour, not for another chart-topping hit—but for something far more intimate. After more than five decades of faith, family, triumph, and trial, Randy has chosen solitude over applause, reflection over roar. Sources close to the family say he has returned, in spirit, to the red dirt roads of Fort Payne—the cotton fields, the church pews, the humble beginnings that shaped both the man and the music. This final ballad isn’t crafted for radio play or award shows. It’s not built for arenas. It’s written for the quiet spaces in the heart. Every lyric is said to carry the weight of a lifetime. Every chord echoes with memory—of struggle, of brotherhood, of a generation that found its soundtrack in his voice. Those who have heard early fragments describe it as raw, stripped down, and achingly honest—a song that feels less like a performance and more like a confession. If this truly is his closing chapter, it won’t be marked by fireworks or farewell tours. Instead, it will arrive softly, like a whisper at dusk. A final gift from a man who gave country music some of its most enduring harmonies, now distilling his entire journey into a single, sacred melody. And if this is goodbye, it won’t sound like an ending. It will sound like forever.