George Harrison's Struggles with Songwriting After the Beatles: An Analysis

After his departure from the Beatles, George Harrison, an exceptional guitarist and member of one of the world's most iconic bands, had a significant struggle in establishing himself as a prolific songwriter. Despite his immense talent and gift for the guitar, he did not achieve the same level of songwriting success as his bandmates, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This article explores the reasons behind Harrison's relative silence in the music industry as a solo artist and the factors that contributed to his later success, particularly with 'My Sweet Lord'

Early Songwriting and Success

Initially, Harrison didn't write many songs for the Beatles. However, as time progressed, he began to contribute more to the group's composition. Although he didn't match the sheer volume of his bandmates, Harrison did have a notable hit with 'My Sweet Lord' in 1970. However, the road to this success was not without controversy. Harrison's song was very similar to the Chirrlles' 'He's So Fine,' and the publishers of this song sued him. This legal battle brought attention to the industry and showcased the immense talent and creativity Harrison was capable of.

Confidence and Dealing with Competition

According to Harrison, one of the main reasons he didn't write songs more often was a lack of confidence in his own work. He believed his songs had to compete with the "wondrous hits" by Lennon and McCartney, a sentiment he expressed in the Beatles' Anthology. Making the transition from a member of a groundbreaking band to a solo artist was a significant challenge. Moreover, Harrison's first song, 'Don't Bother Me,' was written just as the Beatles were forming as the 'Fab Four,' and it managed to make it onto the 'With the Beatles' album, an impressive feat given the quality of the songs produced by Lennon and McCartney.

Instrumentalist versus Composer

Beyond mere songwriting skills, the transition from an instrumental virtuoso to a successful songwriter was a daunting task for Harrison. While he was a superb guitarist, becoming a composer of international acclaim required a different set of skills. It's important to note that the great composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, despite their remarkable instrumental abilities, were not guitar players. This highlights the fact that while Harrison was an outstanding instrumentalist, his skills in this area did not translate directly into songwriting success. Similarly, virtuosity in playing an instrument does not guarantee compositional genius. For instance, Van Cliburn, a celebrated pianist in the 20th century, was an exceptional performer but struggled with composing music.

Lack of Early Experience and Dominance of Lennon and McCartney

Cocreated with the Beatles, Harrison's earliest songwriting experiences were overshadowed by his bandmates. While Lennon and McCartney had been writing songs together since their school days in the 1950s, Harrison's first song was written in 1963, just as they were establishing themselves as a powerhouse duo in the music industry. This early disparity in experience made it difficult for Harrison's songs to stand out, especially when they had to compete with the dominant songwriting influence of Lennon and McCartney.

Final Success and Impact

While Harrison's early songwriting efforts may not have matched the heights achieved by Lennon and McCartney, his later success cannot be understated. 'My Sweet Lord,' released in 1970, became one of his most popular songs and marked a turning point in his career. Despite initial legal issues, the song's enduring popularity and influence in the music industry demonstrated that Harrison's songwriting skills were more than enough to stand on their own. This success not only brought him recognition but also reinforced the belief that talent and dedication could eventually overcome initial limitations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while George Harrison had the natural talent and instrumental prowess to be a great songwriter, his struggle after the Beatles was due to a combination of factors including a lack of confidence, compositional challenges, and the early dominance of bandmates Lennon and McCartney. Over time, Harrison's confidence grew, and his songwriting skills flourished, eventually leading to his own famous hits and continued success as a solo artist and band member of the Traveling Wilburys. His journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of an artist who continued to strive for greatness even in the face of early challenges.