This Song was the lead single off of George Harrison’s 1976 album Thirty-Three & 1/3. The album name was inspired by George’s age while recording it, along with the speed the record played at on a turntable (33 1/3 rpm for those of you in the post-vinyl age). This Song, with it’s intentionally generic title was was written shortly after George lost his court case concerning My Sweet Lord and it’s alleged infringement to the Chiffons’ He’s So Fine. Harrison said in his autobiography, I Me Mine, that after several days, he “started to believe that maybe they did own those notes.” His whole attitude about the lawsuit comes across in the lyrics, put in front of an uptempo, piano boogie.

This song has nothing tricky about it
This song ain’t black or white and as far as I know
Don’t infringe on anyone’s copyright, so . . .

This song we’ll let be
This song is in E
This song is for you and . . .

This video shows George promoting the single and album with a mimed performance of the song on the German television program Disco 1977, which aired on February 5, 1977. Although it’s not apparent in the clip, playing the keys is George’s old friend, Billy Preston. Thirty-Three & 1/3 was the first LP released on George’s new label, Dark Horse Records, and the label’s logo can be seen on George’s shirt. The single was released on November 15, 1976, and the album hit the stores four days later.

Click the image above to play the video.

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Thirty Three & 1/3 – 2004 remaster of original 1976 George Harrison album including This Song and one bonus track (Tears Of The World)

2) George Harrison – Dark Horse Years 1976-1992 – Hits video compilation by George Harrison, including the promo video of This Song (not the video spot featured here)

3) McCartney – new expanded 2011 remaster set of Paul McCartney’s original McCartney album (click for details)

4) McCartney II – new expanded 2011 remaster set of Paul McCartney’s original McCartney II album (click for details)

5) Additional Amazon links for your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

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