Welcome to this week’s BROW. By early 1968, George Harrison still had never had one of his own compositions on a Beatles single. This was about to change. The Beatles decided that before they take off to visit the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Indian retreat, near Rishikesh India on February 21st, that they should get another single out to hold down the fort during their absence. Four songs were being worked on: Hey Bulldog, Across the Universe, Lady Madonna and George’s The Inner Light. John wanted Across The Universe to be the single A-side but was hurt by Paul’s lackluster contribution and finally decided that the version they had completed was not suitable for release. Hey Bulldog was set aside for the upcoming Yellow Submarine soundtrack and Paul’s Lady Madonna was given the honors as the A-side. George Harrison’s The Inner Light was issued as the B-side. It was the best, and last, of George’s attempts to incorporate Indian music into the context of The Beatles. The lyrics were pinched almost verbatim from a Japanese poem by Roshi. The version featured here is the instrumental track recorded with authentic Indian classical virtuosos in Bombay, where George had flown in January to supervise recording of his Wonderwall film soundtrack. Paul was said to be delighted with George’s song and is quoted as saying “Forget the Indian music and listen to the melody. Don’t you think it’s a beautiful melody?” The finalized version is on The Beatles’ Past Masters Vol. 2 CD.

George Harrison, 1968 (from Wonderwall Soundtrack LP insert)

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