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.
Old Brown Shoe
George Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right is only half of what's wrong
I want a short-haired girl
Who sometimes wears it twice as long
Now I'm stepping out this old brown shoe
Oh, baby I'm in love with you
So glad you came here
You know you picked me up
From where some try to drag me down
And when I see your smile
Replacing every thoughtless frown
Got me escaping from the zoo
Oh, baby I'm in love with you
So glad you came here
It won't be the same now I'm telling you
If I'll grow up I'll be a singer
Wear rings on every finger
Not worrying what they or you say
Live and love and maybe someday
Who knows baby you may comfort me, yeah
I may appear to be imperfect
But my love is something you can't reject
Changing faster than the weather
You and me should get together
Who knows baby you may comfort me
I want the love of yours
To miss that love is something I'd hate
I'll make an early start
I'm making sure that I'm not late
For your sweet tough lip I'm in the queue
Oh, baby I'm in love with you
So glad you came here
It won't be the same now I'm telling you
So glad you came here
It won't be the same now I'm telling you
So glad you came here
It won't be the same now when I'm with you, oh yeah, yeah
do-dai, do do-dai
Do-dai, do do-dai
Do-dai, do do-dai
Do-dai, do do-dai
In George Harrison's Old Brown Shoe, the lyrics express a desire for a love that is both right and wrong, resulting in a perfect balance. The desire for a short-haired girl who wears her hair in different ways is also expressed. The song's chorus expresses love for the girl being addressed and how her presence has uplifted and changed the singer's life.
The second verse mentions that the girl in question has helped the singer escape from a difficult situation and that her smile has replaced all the negative thoughts in his mind. The lyrics also mention the singer's dream of becoming a singer and not being bothered by what others say. The fourth verse further emphasizes that although the singer may not be perfect, his love cannot be rejected and he hopes to find comfort in the girl's embrace.
The final stanza reiterates the singer's love for the girl and his eagerness to be with her. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, summarizing all the emotions and feelings expressed throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I want a love that's right
I'm searching for a love that is genuine and good.
Right is only half of what's wrong
Being 'right' is not enough to make a relationship work; there's more to it than that.
I want a short-haired girl
I'm attracted to a girl who has short hair.
Who sometimes wears it twice as long
But I wouldn't mind if she even wore it longer sometimes.
Now I'm stepping out this old brown shoe
I'm emerging from my comfort zone, and this old brown shoe is symbolic of that.
Oh, baby I'm in love with you
I'm really in love with you, and I'm excited to start this journey together.
So glad you came here
I'm happy that you're here with me.
You know you picked me up
You've helped me out of a tough situation, and I'm grateful for that.
From where some try to drag me down
Other people have tried to bring me down, but you've lifted me up.
And when I see your smile
Your smile brightens up my day and reminds me of how much I care for you.
Replacing every thoughtless frown
Your smile replaces all the negative feelings that I used to have.
Got me escaping from the zoo
Being with you feels like I'm escaping from chaos and confusion.
If I'll grow up I'll be a singer
I have a dream of becoming a singer someday.
Wear rings on every finger
If I achieve my dream, I plan on accessorizing with rings on all my fingers.
Not worrying what they or you say
I won't be concerned with other people's opinions or yours – I'll do what makes me happy.
Live and love and maybe someday
I want to live and love with you, and maybe we'll achieve our dreams together.
Who knows baby you may comfort me, yeah
I find comfort in being with you, and who knows what the future holds for us.
I may appear to be imperfect
I know I have flaws and make mistakes, but I hope you'll love me despite them.
But my love is something you can't reject
My love for you is genuine and unconditional – it's not something you could ever turn away.
Changing faster than the weather
I'm evolving quickly, and sometimes it may seem like I'm changing as fast as the weather.
You and me should get together
I think we should be in a relationship – we'd be good for each other.
I want the love of yours
I want your love, I want to be with you, and I want to make this work.
To miss that love is something I'd hate
If I didn't have your love, it would be something I would despise deeply.
I'll make an early start
I'm ready to start this relationship seriously and commit to it.
I'm making sure that I'm not late
I'm taking this relationship seriously, and I want to make sure I'm not too late to make it work.
For your sweet tough lip I'm in the queue
I'm eager to kiss your sweet lips, and I'm prepared to do whatever it takes.
So glad you came here
I'm still happy that you're here with me.
It won't be the same now I'm telling you
Now that I've expressed my feelings, things will never be the same between us.
Do-dai, do do-dai
This is a lighthearted refrain that doesn't hold any significant meaning.
Do-dai, do do-dai
This is a lighthearted refrain that doesn't hold any significant meaning.
Do-dai, do do-dai
This is a lighthearted refrain that doesn't hold any significant meaning.
Do-dai, do do-dai
This is a lighthearted refrain that doesn't hold any significant meaning.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind