Written by: Harrison
Recorded: March – October 1980; November 1980 – February 1981
Producers: George Harrison, Ray Cooper
Released: 11 May 1981 (US), 15 May 1981 (UK)
Available on:
Somewhere In England
Personnel
George Harrison: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, gubguba
Neil Larsen: keyboards
Gary Brooker: synthesizer
Willie Weeks: bass guitar
Jim Keltner: drums
Alla Rakha: tabla
Ray Cooper: tambourine, conga
‘Writing’s On The Wall’ is the eighth song on George Harrison’s ninth solo album Somewhere In England.
Along with ‘Life Itself’, the song marked a return to spiritual songwriting by Harrison. The production included gubguba, an Indian string percussion instrument Harrison had previously played on 1974’s ‘It Is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna)’.
‘All Those Years Ago’ was released as the lead single from Somewhere In England on 11 May 1981 in the USA, and four days later in the UK. ‘Writing’s On The Wall’ was on the b-side.
The single topped the Canadian chart, and the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a top 10 hit in Australia, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland. In the UK it peaked at 13 on the singles chart.
