You know a band is good when their third songwriter writes a song like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. I am – of course – referring to The Beatles. But being the band’s third songwriter wasn’t easy for quiet Beatle George Harrison. In the company of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Harrison’s compositions were frequently ignored and treated as inferior. Therefore, Harrison decided to take matters into his own hands when it was time to record “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. In this article, we’ll dive into the story, meaning, and legacy behind the song.
The Story Behind the Song
George Harrison wrote “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in 1968 at his mother’s house in Warrington, England. The Beatles had just returned from a transcendental mediation course in India, where Harrison re-connected with the guitar after studying the sitar for two years.
At his mother’s house, Harrison was thinking about the ancient Chinese text “I Ching” (also known as the “Book of Changes”). “I Ching” introduced Harrison to the concept that everything in life fulfills a purpose and that coincidences do not exist.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a simple study based on that theory,” Harrison reflected. “I decided to write a song based on the first thing I saw upon opening any book – as it would be relative to that moment, at that time. I picked up a book at random, opened it, saw ‘gently weeps’, then laid the book down again and started the song.”
After finishing the song, Harrison brought it to the sessions of The Beatles’ next project commonly known as The White Album. Sadly enough, The Beatles struggled to find time to work on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. As the third songwriter of the group, Harrison’s compositions weren’t taken seriously and given less treatment than Paul McCartney’s or John Lennon’s songs. It led Harrison to invite Eric Clapton to the studio.
Read more: The 10 Best George Harrison Songs With The Beatles
“I was driving into London with Eric Clapton, and I said, ‘What are you doing today? Why don’t you come to the studio and play on this song for me?” Harrison reflected. “He said, ‘Oh, no – I can’t do that. Nobody’s ever played on a Beatles record and the others wouldn’t like it.’ I said, ‘Look, it’s my song and I’d like you to play on it.”
Clapton’s presence turned out to be essential for “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, as the other Beatles were now eager to work on Harrison’s track. Paul McCartney overdubbed a piano intro and a bass part, whilst Clapton took care of the song’s lead guitar. It gave “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” the sound Harrison desired. Despite Clapton’s pivotal role in the song, he was never credited for his contributions.
The Meaning of the Song
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is a song about Harrison’s frustrations with the world’s ignorance of love, understanding, and personal growth. The song is heavily inspired by Harrison’s spiritual journey in India, especially in contrast with the state of the Western world in 1968.
In the song, Harrison observes the ignorance and tumult going on in the world, and sarcastically comments we must surely be learning from the mistakes we’re making. Sadly enough, the world seems to be asleep to living life in harmony.
Although the song seems to address universal love, it could very well be the song also addresses the tumult going on within The Beatles. The sessions of the White Album were characterized by turmoil and were the first signs of friction within the band. It was also the period Harrison emerged as a prominent songwriter, which was pretty much ignored by McCartney, Lennon, and producer George Martin.
The Legacy of While My Guitar Gently Weeps
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was released on The White Album in November 1968. The song is generally seen as Harrison’s first composition on par with the work of McCartney and Lennon. He would later confirm his capabilities on Abbey Road with “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something”.
Over the years, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” grew out to be one of The Beatles’ most celebrated tracks. The song is often seen as the stand-out track on The White Album and ranks among the greatest songs ever written. Not a bad feat from someone whose songwriting abilities were initially ignored and dismissed.
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