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.
That's the Way It Goes
George Harrison Lyrics
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What he's saying I don't really know
Seems he's lost some stocks and shares
Stops and stares
He's afraid I know
That's the way it goes
There's a man talking of the promised land
Subdivide and deal it out
Feel his clout
He can stoop so low
And that's the way it goes
There's an actor who hopes to fit the bill
Sees a shining city on a hill
Step up close and see he's blind
Wined and dined
All he has is pose
And that's the way it goes
There's a fire that burns away the lies
Manifesting in the spiritual eye
Though you won't understand the way I feel
You conceal, all there is to know
That's the way it goes
The song "That's the Way It Goes" by George Harrison paints a picture of the society we live in. The lyrics revolve around three different people, each representing a different aspect of our society. The first person is a man who is listening to the radio, but he is not able to comprehend the meaning of what is being said. The second person is a man who is greedy and is ready to acquire anything that can bring him power and authority. The third person is an actor who is pretending to be something he is not, he creates an impression of himself which is far from true.
The lyrics seem to suggest that the world we live in is complex and there are three types of people in it. The first type is the one who is lost and confused, the second type is the one who is consumed by greed and the third type is the one who is living a fake life. The life of these people is full of deception, and they can stoop so low to reach their objectives. According to the lyrics, the truth can only be revealed through spiritual vision, something that the people in the song fail to understand.
The song highlights the importance of spiritual awakening and how it can free us from the deception and greed of the material world. It tells us that there is much more to life than acquiring material possessions and living a fake life, that we need to see beyond the facade of society to truly understand human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man talking on the radio
A person is speaking on the radio
What he's saying I don't really know
I don't fully understand the content of his message
Seems he's lost some stocks and shares
It appears that he has experienced financial loss
Stops and stares
He pauses and looks intently
He's afraid I know
He's likely experiencing fear
That's the way it goes
This is just how life is sometimes
There's a man talking of the promised land
A person is discussing a place of hope or potential prosperity
He'll acquire it with some Krugerrand
He believes he can purchase or attain this place with money
Subdivide and deal it out
He will divide it up and distribute as he sees fit
Feel his clout
He wants to exert his power and influence
He can stoop so low
He's capable of behaving dishonorably
And that's the way it goes
This is just how life is sometimes
There's an actor who hopes to fit the bill
An actor desires to meet expectations or fill a certain role
Sees a shining city on a hill
He envisions a bright and prosperous future
Step up close and see he's blind
On closer inspection, it becomes clear that he is uninformed or unable to see the full picture
Wined and dined
He's been treated to meals and entertainment
All he has is pose
His public persona is all that he really has to offer
And that's the way it goes
This is just how life is sometimes
There's a fire that burns away the lies
An intense passion or spiritual awakening can help one see past deception
Manifesting in the spiritual eye
This understanding comes from a higher level of consciousness
Though you won't understand the way I feel
Others may not be able to relate to my emotions
You conceal, all there is to know
They may hide themselves or not reveal their true selves
That's the way it goes
This is just how life is sometimes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind