After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
Brainwashed
George Harrison Lyrics
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Brainwashed by the school
Brainwashed by our teachers
And Brainwashed by all their rules
Brainwashed by our leaders
By our Kings and Queens
Brainwashed in the open and brainwashed behind the scenes
God God God
A voice cries in the wilderness
God God God
It was on the longest night
God God God
An eternity of darkness
God God God
Someone turned out the spiritual light
Brainwashed by the Nikkei
Brainwashed by Dow Jones
Brainwashed by the FTSE
Nasdaq and secure loans
Brainwashed us from Brussels
Brainwashing us in Bonn
Brainwashing us in Washington
Westminster in London
God God God
You are the wisdom that we seek
God God God
The lover that we miss
God God God
Your nature is eternity
God God God
You are Existence, Knowledge, Bliss
The soul does not love. It is love itself
It does not exist. It is existence itself
It does not know. It is knowledge itself
How to know God, page 130
They brainwashed my great uncle
Brainwashed my cousin Bob
They even got my grandma when she was working for the mob
Brainwash you while you're sleeping
While in your traffic jam
Brainwash you while you're weeping
While still a baby in your pram
Brainwashed by the military
Brainwashed under duress
Brainwashed by the media
You're brainwashed by the press
Brainwashed by computers
Brainwashed by mobile phones
Brainwashed by the satellites
Brainwashed to the bone
God God God
Won't you lead us through this mess
God God God
From the places of concrete
God God God
Nothing's worse than ignorance
God God God
I just won't accept defeat
God God God
Must be something I forgot
God God God
Down on Bullshit Avenue
God God God
If we can only stop the rot
God God God
Wish that you'd brainwash us too
In "Brainwashed," George Harrison critiques the various sources that have contributed to humanity's supposed "brainwashed" state: teachers, rulers, the market, the media, and military. In the opening lines, he states that our childhood experiences, school, and teachers have all brainwashed us. Then he goes on to talk about how leaders have similarly brainwashed us both in the public eye and behind closed doors. The song's chorus also argues that something's been lost within us, and Harrison wonders where God has gone, whether lost in the chaos of modern life or simply forgotten.
Harrison then goes through multiple examples of how people can be brainwashed. He references economic indicators such as the FTSE and Dow Jones, as well as political entities like Brussels, Bonn, Washington, and Westminster. He makes personal references to his own family members who have been brainwashed, explicitly stating that his own great uncle, cousin, and grandma were all victims of brainwashing.
The song is an invitation to question the patterns and assumptions that have dictated our lives. To find a way out of the haze of influences that have constrained us, Harrison encourages us to look towards God, providing at the same time profound insight into what this God might be: a "voice [that]cries in the wilderness," and "wisdom that we seek." It's a poignant reminder of what Manson referred to as the need to deprogram from the roles assigned to us by society in order to reach a higher plane of consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
Brainwashed in our childhood
We were taught certain beliefs and ways of thinking from a young age that have affected our entire lives
Brainwashed by the school
The educational system reinforces certain ideas and molds us into obedient citizens
Brainwashed by our teachers
Our educators are instrumental in passing down societal norms and values
And Brainwashed by all their rules
The rules and regulations that we are forced to abide by shape our behavior and mindset
Brainwashed by our leaders
Our political leaders dictate our national beliefs and guide our actions
By our Kings and Queens
The monarchy has historically brainwashed the public through their reign and teachings
Brainwashed in the open and brainwashed behind the scenes
Both overt and covert brainwashing tactics are used to sway our opinions and beliefs
God God God
Asking for higher guidance and understanding
A voice cries in the wilderness
Seeking a message from a higher power in a desolate place
It was on the longest night
A reference to a dark time in the singer's life
An eternity of darkness
A feeling that the darkness will last forever
Someone turned out the spiritual light
The singer feels disconnected from their spirituality and a sense of inner peace
Brainwashed by the Nikkei
The economy and stock market can also condition our beliefs and decisions
Brainwashed by Dow Jones
Financial indices and sources can drive our priorities and actions
Brainwashed by the FTSE
International stock markets can influence our perceptions and values
Nasdaq and secure loans
Technology and banking systems can indoctrinate our beliefs and behavior
Brainwashed us from Brussels
International governing bodies like the EU can manipulate our beliefs
Brainwashing us in Bonn
Foreign governments and agencies can impact our decision-making and beliefs
Brainwashing us in Washington
The US government can affect our mindsets and decisions
Westminster in London
The UK government and political system can control our beliefs and values
You are the wisdom that we seek
Asking for divine guidance and knowledge
The lover that we miss
Yearning for a spiritual connection and love
Your nature is eternity
Understanding that the divine is eternal and infinite
You are Existence, Knowledge, Bliss
Recognizing the divine as the ultimate source of existence, knowledge, and happiness
The soul does not love. It is love itself
Understanding that we are inherently connected to love and that it is a part of our essence
It does not exist. It is existence itself
Knowing that our very existence is a reflection of the divine
It does not know. It is knowledge itself
Recognizing that true wisdom and understanding comes from a connection to the divine
How to know God, page 130
Suggesting a book on how to connect with the divine
They brainwashed my great uncle
Personal examples of brainwashing in the singer's life
Brainwash you while you're sleeping
That we are subject to manipulation during our sleep
Brainwash you while you're weeping
Our emotional state can also be exploited for brainwashing
Brainwashed by the military
The armed forces can condition our thought processes and behaviors
Brainwashed under duress
Intense pressure and difficult circumstances can lead to brainwashing
Brainwashed by the media
The media can shape our opinions and beliefs through their messages
You're brainwashed by the press
The print media can similarly control our thoughts and beliefs
Brainwashed by computers
Our dependence on technology can also shape our beliefs and actions
Brainwashed by mobile phones
Our devices can influence our thoughts and behaviors
Brainwashed by the satellites
Even our data-driven systems and satellite technology can impact our beliefs
Brainwashed to the bone
Message of being completely and thoroughly indoctrinated
Won't you lead us through this mess
Asking for divine guidance in navigating life's difficulties
From the places of concrete
Referring to the urban jungle and its impact on mental health
Nothing's worse than ignorance
Stating that ignorance is the worst possible state
I just won't accept defeat
Determination not to give up
Must be something I forgot
Feeling as if there is something missing from life
Down on Bullshit Avenue
Reference to feeling lost in a world of inauthenticity and facades
If we can only stop the rot
Suggesting a way to halt the mental decay and manipulations
Wish that you'd brainwash us too
A desire to be fully connected with the divine and its wisdom
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind