The Beatles’ vast discography is a testament to both musical joy and personal struggles. While many of their songs exude an effortless happiness, they often mask deeper emotions, from dark thoughts to unwelcome feelings. Despite the upbeat image of the band seen in their Ed Sullivan Show appearances, there were challenging moments for the Fab Four. Behind their golden artistry, there was also tension, blood, sweat, and tears involved in their songwriting and recording process. And within that complex dynamic, George Harrison arguably suffered the most.
Harrison, plagued by a fear of fame and increasing paranoia over time, was labeled the “Quiet Beatle” by the press, especially as Paul McCartney and John Lennon became the more prominent figures, both in personality and musical contributions. In the studio, the dominant songwriting partnership between Lennon and McCartney overshadowed Harrison’s own work, and he found himself in their shadow during the band’s early years. However, as the band’s fame grew, Harrison’s confidence grew too, and he began contributing more to the band’s catalog.
As The Beatles approached their end, Harrison’s songwriting contributions became more significant. His tracks like Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Here Comes The Sun are now considered some of the band’s finest. However, for Harrison, each new song meant having to push aside a Lennon-McCartney composition to secure its place on the album, a constant struggle that highlighted the challenges he faced within the group.
Bob Dylan once noted how difficult it was for Harrison to get his songs onto The Beatles’ albums, stating, “George got stuck with being the Beatle that had to fight to get songs on records because of Lennon and McCartney. Well, who wouldn’t get stuck? If George had had his own group and was writing his own songs back then, he’d have been probably just as big as anybody.”
Eventually, Harrison grew increasingly frustrated with the dominant duo of Lennon and McCartney. Their rejection of his songs often deflated his confidence, and there were times when he considered leaving the band. While Harrison eventually reconciled with Lennon after The Beatles split, his relationship with McCartney remained more strained for years. Though the two would eventually make up, their bond was often tense.
Glyn Johns, the engineer/producer who was initially brought in to oversee the Let It Be sessions, described the atmosphere as very uncomfortable, explaining in George Harrison: Behind the Locked Door that it was “very unpleasant” to witness. Patti Boyd, Harrison’s former wife, also shared how difficult this time was for her husband. She described him as “terribly unhappy,” feeling alienated in The Beatles due to constant arguments. Harrison, having found solace in spirituality, felt like “a little brother” being pushed into the background. Boyd further explained that Harrison was often filled with anger after returning from recording sessions.
According to Boyd, the root of the tension lay between Harrison and McCartney. She stated, “George saw Paul as difficult. They would tolerate each other, but I think George basically didn’t like Paul’s personality. I just think they really didn’t love each other.” After the band’s breakup, Harrison’s feelings toward McCartney were expressed in songs like When We Was Fab, Wah Wah, and Sue Me, Sue You Blues. While these tracks were aimed at the band as a whole, they seemed to focus particularly on McCartney.
One of the most infamous exchanges between the two occurred during the Let It Be sessions. McCartney, frustrated with Harrison’s guitar playing for Two of Us, suggested simplifying the part for him. Harrison, visibly irritated, retorted, “OK, well, I don’t mind. I’ll play, you know, whatever you want me to play. Or I won’t play at all if that’s what you want. Whatever it is that’ll please you, I’ll do it.” This moment was symbolic of their strained relationship, with McCartney’s overpowering ideas and musical dominance often sidelining Harrison’s creativity.
In 1975, during a conversation with Allan Freeman, Harrison opened up about his transformation since The Beatles’ split. By then, he had achieved his goal of becoming a successful solo artist, but his past with McCartney still lingered. “I had no confidence in myself as a guitar player having spent so many years with Paul McCartney,” Harrison confessed. “He ruined me as a guitar player.”
While Harrison’s unique musical style and creativity remained intact, it’s clear that McCartney’s overshadowing presence had a lasting impact on his confidence. Though McCartney didn’t permanently stifle Harrison’s talent, the ongoing tensions between the two likely delayed Harrison’s full potential as a guitarist and artist. Their long and complicated relationship played a significant role in the ups and downs of Harrison’s career.
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