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.
Save the World
George Harrison Lyrics
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Someone else may want to use it
So far we've seen
This planet's rape, how we've abused it
We've got to save the world
The Russians have the biggest share
With their long fingers everywhere
With laser beams and atomic waste
Rain forest chopped for paper towels
One acre gone in every hour
Our birds and wildlife all destroyed
To keep some millionaires employed
We've got to save the whale
Greenpeace they've tried to diffuse it
But dog food salesmen
Persist on kindly to harpoon it
We've got to save the world
The armament consortium
They're selling us plutonium
Now you can make your own H-bomb
Right in the kitchen with your mom
The nuclear power that costs you more
Than anything you've known before
The half-wit's answer to a need
For cancer, death, destruction, greed
We've got to save the world
Someone's children they may need it
So far we've seen
The big business of extinction bleed it
We've got to save the world
We're at the mercy of so few
With evil hearts determined to
Reduce this planet into hell
Then find a buyer and make quick sale
To end upon a happy note
Like trying to make concrete float
Is very simple knowing that
God in your heart lives
We've got to save the world
Someone else may want to use it
It's time you knew
How close we've come
We're gonna lose it
We gotta save, we gotta save
We gotta save the world.
George Harrison's song "Save the World" is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to take responsibility for the well-being of the planet. He emphasizes the urgent need to take action to address environmental destruction, nuclear proliferation, and industrial greed. The lyrics highlight different issues that are destroying the planet, such as the Russian space program and its nuclear weapons arsenal, deforestation, and the extinction of animals. Harrison also touches on the risks of nuclear power and the arms race. He calls on people to recognize that we are all responsible for saving the world and protecting future generations. The song's strong message is bolstered by Harrison's gentle and beautiful melody.
Harrison's lyrics are a valuable reminder that we are all in this together, and we must take responsibility for our actions. He highlights the damage that has been done to the planet by people who are more concerned with profit than the well-being of the earth. The song is a call to action, urging people to come together to create significant and lasting change. Harrison reminds us that we must be responsible in our choices and find ways to unite in order to save the world.
Harrison's introspective and inspiring song is an exceptional work of art. The call to action he evokes in his lyrics is something we need more of in the world today. George Harrison's "Save the World" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire people to care for our planet and work together to save it.
Line by Line Meaning
We've got to save the world
George is urging the listener to focus on the bigger picture and do all they can to protect the planet
Someone else may want to use it
The earth is a resource that other parties may wish to exploit in the future
So far we've seen
George reflects on the various ways humans have treated the planet
This planet's rape, how we've abused it
Humans have not cared for the planet and used up its resources without thought for consequences
The Russians have the biggest share
George reflects on the power struggles between nations and how they have influenced the planet's fate
With their long fingers everywhere
The Russians have a big international reach and influence
And now they've bombs in outer space
George is referring to the Cold War race between US and Russia to militarize space
With laser beams and atomic waste
The space race has had potential dangers to humankind
Rain forest chopped for paper towels
George highlights the environmentally destructive practices of big businesses
One acre gone in every hour
Forests are being destroyed quickly
Our birds and wildlife all destroyed
Nature and animals are being destroyed for financial gain
To keep some millionaires employed
The destruction of natural habitats is justified by the creation of jobs and revenue for wealthy individuals
We've got to save the whale
George is urging for the protection of the planet's ecosystems and endangered species like whales
Greenpeace they've tried to diffuse it
Organizations like Greenpeace try to make a positive difference for environmental protection
But dog food salesmen
Some businesses still prioritize profit over environmental preservation even if it means harming animals
Persist on kindly to harpoon it
These businesses continue to harm and hunt animals even after protests from environmental protection groups
The armament consortium
A powerful group of arms-dealing companies
They're selling us plutonium
They're promoting dangerous and highly destructive nuclear energy sources
Now you can make your own H-bomb
Dangerous material is being made accessible to the public
Right in the kitchen with your mom
It's that readily available and dangerous
The nuclear power that costs you more
Nuclear power is environmentally risky, expensive and has consequences for taxpayers
Than anything you've known before
It's a threat greater than any experienced before
The half-wit's answer to a need
Nuclear power is a careless and dangerous solution to energy needs
For cancer, death, destruction, greed
Nuclear power comes with severe health risks, dangerous consequences and exacerbates capitalist, profit-oriented values
Someone's children they may need it
The future depends on the protection of the planet, especially for generations to come
The big business of extinction bleed it
Environmental destruction leads to the eradication of entire species
We're at the mercy of so few
George notes how very few people have the power to make changes
With evil hearts determined to
These powerful people often act with their own selfish interests in mind
Reduce this planet into hell
They are actively contributing towards making the world an uninhabitable place
Then find a buyer and make quick sale
They don't bear the consequences of their actions and are often at an advantage in the commercial trade of environmental resources
To end upon a happy note
George offers hope for the planet at the end of the song
Like trying to make concrete float
George acknowledges how tough protecting the planet is, but choosing to do so is commendable
Is very simple knowing that
The choice to protect the planet is straightforward and a morally upright one
God in your heart lives
The belief in a higher power can motivate one to take action and protect the planet
It's time you knew
George urges the listener to acknowledge the severity of the situation
How close we've come
The Earth's destruction is a real and imminent danger
We're gonna lose it
The planet will be destroyed if we don't take action
We gotta save, we gotta save
George finishes the song with a final plea for action
We gotta save the world
Saving our planet is a moral duty and an urgent need
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind