George Harrison Has a Writing Credit on This Wu-Tang Clan Rap Song About Heroin
George Harrison released songs in a number of genres; however, hip-hop was not one of them. Regardless, George has a writing credit on a Wu-Tang Clan song. During an interview, George’s son, Dhani Harrison, discussed the history of the track.
This song George Harrison wrote for The Beatles had a notable impact on pop culture
Although it wasn’t a single, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” remains one of the most famous songs George wrote for The Beatles. It’s made quite an impact on pop culture. For example, Prince, Tom Petty and others performed “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The track appeared in the musical Across the Universe.
In the same vein, hip-hop fans might notice a similarity between “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and the Wu-Tang Clan’s “The Heart Gently Weeps.” This was no accident. NME reports there were false rumors that the latter song samples the former. In actuality, “The Heart Gently Weeps” interpolates elements of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
George Harrison’s son and RZA discussed the creation of ‘The Heart Gently Weeps’
During an interview with Bullz-Eye.com, Dhani discussed his involvement with “The Heart Gently Weeps.” “‘Heart Gently Weeps’ is just something I did to let them … just to see what would happen,” Dhani said. “There’s actually a couple of other tracks that I played on as well. Actually, I’m on [RZA’s] Digi Snacks as well. There was a track called ‘No Matter How Hard I Try,’ which was the single for the album. I played on that as well.”
Dhani discussed his connection to the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. “I don’t know, RZA and I got hooked up through a mutual friend, and we actually had more in common than our mutual friend,” Dhani said. “I mean, he’s a very, very sweet guy and very, very well-read. You know, he knows everything about … the missing bit of his education was kind of rock, and I’m kind of up on that. So he likes to hang out with people who can show him new music, you know what I mean?” Furthermore, Dhani cited the Wu-Tang Clan as an influence on his music.
In a Rolling Stone interview, RZA said Dhani was the Wu-Tang Clan’s biggest fan. RZA said he found he and Dhani shared a passion for kung fu movies. RZA said it was an honor when Dhani played the interpolation of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that was used on “The Heart Gently Weeps.” RZA also revealed the song was about heroin.
How the world reacted to the song
The Wu-Tang Clan released “The Heart Gently Weeps” on their album 8 Diagrams. Despite its pedigree, The Official Charts Company said the song did not chart in the United Kingdom. 8 Diagrams did not chart in the U.K either. While “The Heart Gently Weeps” didn’t become popular, it remains an interesting crossroad between classic rock and hip-hop.
