8.21pm
1 December 2009
diesmitty said:
“Only A Northern Song ” contains some of my favorite George lyrics out there. The whole song just seems very George, and upon reading the backstory behind the song, it seems extremely biting and sarcastic every time I hear it. I am actually surprised that Lennon and McCartney were fine with him recording such a bitter song towards them. Maybe it went over their heads.
“Lennon and Macca couldn’t give 2 s***s about this song so they didn’t help with the harmony. Thanks you jagoffs!”
That backstory has always puzzled me. How did George know he wouldn't get any help with the harmonies when he was writing the lyrics? And he was writing the song for inclusion on SPLHCB – how did he know it'd be rejected and become, in effect, a throwaway, destined for the Yellow Submarine scrap-heap? And was it George's idea to add free-jazz trumpet and glockenspiel noise on top, or did he think that Paul & John were sabotaging his song (just like John accused the others of doing to some of his)? The whole thing's a mystery.
I like “Northern Song” a lot too! Especially with the different sets of lyrics.
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
9.49pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Was OANS towards Lennon and McCartney? I thought it was more to do with Northern Songs and his feeling towards his minute share in it. John and Paul did have a bigger share but that was down to George not being a prolific writer when the original terms had been drawn up and agreed.
Maybe George knew it wasnt his best song and was more open to ideas or didnt know how it was to sound. George M said that he told George H it wasnt a good song and should do something else, so George H went and wrote Within You, Without You. The way it was recorded, put together and then mixed is strange, right to the point where they couldnt even make a true stereo mix.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
2.18pm
20 January 2012
I think his greatest lyrics are found in Within You Without You actually. Think For Yourself is really good aswell. I love George!
Try to realize it's all within yourself, no one else can make you change....
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