By Ian Murphy (Who else would it be by?)

When it comes to the Fab Four, the lion’s share of the attention and accolades tend to go to John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This adulation and praise is most assuredly warranted and understood, but let’s show a little love to the “Quiet Beatle”, George Harrison. George’s output (during and after the Beatles) was not quite as prolific as his more celebrated bandmates but at his best, he was right there with them.

Below is a list of my favorite Harrison tunes, with and after the Beatles. This one was tough to compile, as I only had ten slots to fill. George’s body of work was amazing, and his career long, so it really is impossible to narrow it down to ten spots, but I’ve tried my best. If you have a different list of George songs, I can be fairly certain it will not be as good as mine anyway, so take notes here and educate yourself!

TOP TEN GEORGE HARRISON SONGS

10. “I, Me, Mine” (1970). A short but brilliant ode to greed and selfishness off of Let It Be. Great tune to just jam out to. Sloppy Beatles at their best!

9. “Handle Me With Care” (1988). Fresh off of his big comeback, George unites with immortals Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty with this tune from Travelling Wilburys, Vol. 1. Just classic George, this one is a perfect pop song. The man’s still got it.

8. “It Don’t Come Easy” (1971). Never officially released by Harrison, but it was a top hit for Ringo Starr. George is in top form here, with great melodies, killer hooks and a classic Harrison guitar solo.

7. “If I Needed Someone” (1965). Perhaps inspired by The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn’s guitar playing, Harrison cranks out a jangle masterpiece. A new direction for George (and for the Beatles, as Rubber Soul was a turning point for them as artists), as the Carl Perkins inspired picking takes a back seat to a newer approach.

6. “Long, Long, Long” (1968). As underrated a Beatles song if there ever was one, this tune is a dynamic materpiece. Achingly endearing, ethereal, and enchanting, this is George at his best. Truly a hidden classic off of the White Album.

5. “Love You Too” (1966). By this time, George had been heavily immersed in Indian culture and also contributed the groundbreaking sitar arrangement to Lennon’s “Norweigian Wood”, from 1965’s Rubber Soul. This track, from follow up album Revolver, or part two as George called it, (referring to Rubber Soul and Revolver being two parts to the same creative project) brings the sitar to the forefront. Truly uncharted territory in pop music.

4. “Here Comes The Sun” (1969). One of Harrison’s most enduring (and overplayed!) songs, this piece showcases his continuing evolution as a guitarist and writer. This song is an example of George at the peak of his powers.

3. “Something” (1969). A wedding song deluxe, “Something” might be the jewel in the musical crown known as Abbey Road. Such an intimate and personal song, George’s tribute to his wife is the perfect love song.

2. “Taxman” (1966). My favorite track off of Revolver, “Taxman” is cutting, and George uses his innate sarcasm to lampoon 1960s Britain’s obscene tax rates. Muscially diverse and containing a blistering guitar solo by Paul McCartney, this song is the perfect opener to the Beatles most critically acclaimed album. 1…2…3…4…1,2 BOOM!

1. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”(1968) Thought by many to be the best song from the White Album, this one firmly puts George alongside Paul and John as a writer. Here the melodies are beautiful, the lyrics poignant and it’s greatness is solidified by Eric Clapton’s all-time best guitar solo. Very few rock songs are as complete top to bottom.

*Special thanks to Danielle Mahoney for championing George’s contributions to the Beatles catalogue in the face of my incessant snobbery. Such an assault is not easy to endure and it is a testament to her resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable evidence against her argument. Good form, Danni.

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