George Harrison Recorded a Guitar Solo for ‘Here Comes the Sun’ That Never Ended up on the Track
George Harrison is the songwriter behind “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. Later, this artist offered a glimpse into his creative process, even revealing that he wrote a guitar solo for this original track.
George Harrison wrote ‘Here Comes the Sun’ for The Beatles
They’re the rock band behind “Let It Be,” “Twist and Shout,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “In My Life.” Along with Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr, Harrison was a member of The Beatles.
Although John Lennon and Paul McCartney are credited as songwriters on most Beatles songs, Harrison and Ringo Starr created their originals for the group. For Ringo Starr, that meant “Octopus’s Garden.” For Harrison, that meant “Here Comes the Sun.”
“It seems as if winter in England goes on forever; by the time spring comes, you really deserve it,” Harrison wrote in Anthology. “So one day, I decided I was going to sag off Apple, and I went over to Eric Clapton’s house.”
“The relief of not having to go and see all those dopey accountants was wonderful,” he continued, “and I walked around the garden with one of Eric’s acoustic guitars and wrote ‘Here Comes The Sun.’”
This track was Harrison’s second original song included on the Beatles’ Abbey Road. It featured his vocals and guitar playing, as well as original lyrics about spring breaking through winter in England.
“Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter,” the verse states. “Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here.”
The Beatles’ ‘Here Comes the Sun’ almost had a guitar solo
“Here Comes the Sun” features an acoustic guitar part from Harrison. However, it almost had a guitar solo recorded by the musician. According to The Hollyhobs, in 1969, Harrison entered the studio to record the guitar parts for “I Want You” and “Oh Darling.”
Then, he began to “etch out” his guitar solo for “Here Comes the Sun,” even if he was displeased with it and believed it was “out of place” for the bridge.
Even if the solo was scrapped, the artist wrote a note on the tape recording which read, “don’t use the guitar solos from takes six and seven.” The final version of the “Here Comes the Sun” bridge features instrumentals and vocals — minus the impromptu guitar solo.
What other songs did George Harrison write for the Beatles?
Harrison released several songs as a solo artist — having his first original, “Don’t Bother Me,” featured on With the Beatles. The guitarist later wrote and released “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “You Like Me Too Much,” “Taxman,” and “I Me Mine.”
However, one reason Harrison temporarily left the Beatles was because of his lack of creative control, as seen in the Disney+ documentary series The Beatles: Get Back. Of course, this songwriter reunited with the band for their iconic rooftop concert.
