Wah-wah
You've given me a wah-wah
And I'm thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah

Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you've given me your
Wah-wah, wah-wah

Oh, you don't see me crying
Oh, you don't hear me sighing

Wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free, wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah

Oh, you don't see me crying
Hey baby, you don't hear me sighing
Oh, no, no, no, no

Wah-wah
Now I don't need no wah-wahs
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free of wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah

Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah

Overall Meaning

George Harrison's song "Wah-Wah" deals with the theme of emotional dependence and the realization that one can be much happier by letting go of negativity. In the first verse of the song, he mentions that he has been given a "wah-wah," which representing a feeling of emotional distress or pain, by someone that he used to have a close relationship with. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "wah-wah" several times, emphasizing the pain and the negative emotions that he is feeling.

Harrison then alludes to the fact that the person who gave him the "wah-wah" made him a star, but that there was a price to pay for that fame. He is expressing the idea that the cost of fame had harmed him emotionally and that he has now realized that he does not need this person's validation and can find happiness without them.

The ending of the song gives a sense of strength as Harrison repeats several times that he doesn't need any "wah-wah" in his life. He has realized that he can find happiness and be free without being emotionally dependent on someone who is toxic.

Overall, "Wah-Wah" is a powerful song that encompasses themes of emotional pain, fame, and self-discovery.

Line by Line Meaning

Wah-wah
The term 'wah-wah' represents a dissatisfaction or an unpleasant sound, which is indicated by the musician playing the guitar.

You've given me a wah-wah
George is blaming someone or some people for being the reason he can't express himself through music any longer. He's lost the feel for the music and his guitar itself doesn't excite him as it once did.

And I'm thinking of you
The person or people he's blaming for this problem is always on his mind.

And all the things that we used to do
He's reminiscing about happier times when he and that person or people he's blaming could make music without issues.

Wah-wah, wah-wah
The repetition of the term 'wah-wah' illustrates how much it's affecting George and his music. It’s a crucial problem.

You made me such a big star
The same people who have ruined his passion for music are the ones who helped make him a star by supporting his career in the music industry.

Being there at the right time
George got a big break in his career because of the people he's blaming. They helped him get there by being in the right place at the right time.

Cheaper than a dime
He is acknowledging the fact that the people who helped him get famous did it easily and without much effort, it just happened naturally.

Wah-wah, you've given me your
Repetition of the term 'wah-wah' with the addition of a possessive pronoun suggests that this problem he is dealing with is personal and he can't seem to shake it off.

Oh, you don't see me crying
He's telling the person (or people) responsible for his current problem that he's not outwardly showing the pain they're causing him.

I don't need no wah-wah
George is letting go of the life that he had become so famous for and wants to focus on other things that bring him happiness.

And I know how sweet life can be
George knows that there's more to life than just the music he was once passionate about.

If I keep myself free, wah-wah
If George is no longer held captive in the world of music, he would be truly happy and content.

Hey baby, you don't hear me sighing
He's reminding the person (or people) that their actions have caused him to suffer emotionally and that they don't even notice the damage they’ve inflicted on him.

Now I don't need no wah-wahs
George is happy with the way things are and doesn't need the help of those who brought him to success in the past.

Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
The repetition of the term 'wah-wah' at the end suggests that although he’s moved on, that annoyance still remains with him on some level.

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