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.
Fish on the Sand
George Harrison Lyrics
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I know you're close to everyone
At times it's like you don't have a hold on me
I see you in the love
I see you in the moon above
But I want to know that you're not lost inside of me
You know I love you
If I'm not with you
I'm not so much of a man
I'm like a fish on the sand
You call me in the night (You call me in the night)
And hide behind the daylight
You're blowing like a wind, you don't let me see
You know I feel a pain (You know I feel a pain)
I'm tired of playing games with you
Though there's nothing else I want that would set me free
You know I love you
You know I need you
If I can't be with you
I'm not so much of a man
I'm a fish on the sand
No use to no one else, they've all dried up
Watching all our lives go by
I can't believe you'd want to see me crying
I hold you in my heart (Hold you in my heart)
I know that you're a part of me
But it's a must to know that you love me too
I look you in the eye (Look you in the eye)
You're swimming by my teardrops
But I want to know for sure that you'll let me see
You know I want you
You know I need you
If I'm not with you
I'm not so much of a man
I'm like a fish on the sand
You know I need you
You know I love you
If I'm not with you
I'm not so much of a man
I'm a fish on the sand
Not so much of a man
More a fish on the sand
The lyrics to George Harrison's song Fish On The Sand convey a deep sense of longing and vulnerability. The singer is expressing that he loves and needs someone, presumably a romantic partner or someone close to him, and cannot bear to be without them. He struggles with the feeling that his companion may not feel the same way, and he is afraid of being lost without them. The imagery of a fish on the sand emphasizes this feeling of being stranded and helpless without the support of the person he loves.
The opening lines of the song indicate that the person the singer loves is a free spirit who is close to everyone and everything, including the sun and the moon. Despite this closeness, the singer feels that his love is not reciprocated completely. He struggles with the feeling that he is not enough without the person he loves, and that he is incomplete without them. This desperation is highlighted by the repeated refrain of "If I'm not with you / I'm not so much of a man."
The second verse brings a level of tension to the lyrics as the singer expresses frustration with his loved one for playing games with him and hiding their true feelings. The third verse expresses the fear of being alone and the need for reassurance and love. The lyrics to Fish On The Sand are a powerful expression of the fragility of human relationships and the importance of love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're in the sun
I am aware that you exist and always present just like the sun.
I know you're close to everyone
You are very familiar with everyone around you.
At times it's like you don't have a hold on me
There are moments when I feel like you cannot control me even if you try.
I see you in the love
I see your reflection in love.
I see you in the moon above
Just like the moon, I can sense your presence.
But I want to know that you're not lost inside of me
I need assurance that you are not trapped inside me.
You know I need you
You are aware that I cannot function without you.
You know I love you
You understand that I have strong feelings of affection towards you.
If I'm not with you
I cannot bear being away from you.
I'm not so much of a man
I feel useless without you.
I'm like a fish on the sand
I feel stranded and helpless when I am not with you.
You call me in the night (You call me in the night)
You constantly reach out to me especially during the night
And hide behind the daylight
But during the day, you keep your distance.
You're blowing like a wind, you don't let me see
You are unpredictable, and I cannot read you well.
You know I feel a pain (You know I feel a pain)
You are aware that I am hurting.
I'm tired of playing games with you
I am fed up with the mind games you play with me.
Though there's nothing else I want that would set me free
Despite everything, I cannot imagine wanting anything else in life other than you.
No use to no one else, they've all dried up
Without you, I am of no use to anyone else, and everyone else has become irrelevant.
Watching all our lives go by
I am watching our lives pass by while hoping for a change.
I can't believe you'd want to see me crying
It is hard to believe that you could bear to watch me in pain.
I hold you in my heart (Hold you in my heart)
I keep you close to my heart in a special place.
I know that you're a part of me
You are an essential part of my life.
But it's a must to know that you love me too
It is crucial that I am aware of your love for me too.
You look you in the eye (Look you in the eye)
I want to communicate directly with you.
You're swimming by my teardrops
You appear to be indifferent to my sadness.
But I want to know for sure that you'll let me see
I need a guarantee that you will be more sensitive to my emotions.
You know I want you
You know that I desire you.
You know I need you
You know that I depend on you.
Not so much of a man
Without you, I don't feel complete or confident.
More a fish on the sand
I feel like a fish out of water when I am not with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind