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.
The Light That Has Lighted the World
George Harrison Lyrics
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That I've changed
That I'm not what I was
How it really is a shame
The thoughts in their heads,
Manifest on their brow
Like bad scars from ill feelings
They themselves arouse
Or 'free'
They live all their lives,
Without looking to see
The light that has lighted the world
It's funny how people, just won't
Accept change
As if nature itself - they'd prefer
Re-arranged
So hard to move on
When you're down in a hole
Where there's so little chance,
To experience soul
I'm grateful to anyone,
That is happy or 'free'
For giving me hope
While I'm looking to see
The light that has lighted the world
George Harrison's song "The Light That Has Lighted the World" is a deep lament about how people can be hateful of others who are happy or free. He reflects on how others have said that he has changed and how they view it as a shame. Harrison suggests that these thoughts are manifested on their brow like bad scars from ill feelings they themselves arouse. He speaks of a certain kind of people who live all their lives without looking to see the light that has lightened the world. They remain hateful of others who possess happiness or freedom because they do not understand what it means to be contented.
He goes on to say that people won't accept change because they would prefer nature itself to be rearranged. People find it hard to move on when they're down in a hole where there's so little chance to experience soul. He is grateful to anyone that is happy or free for giving him hope while he's looking to see the light that has lightened the world. George Harrison reminds his listeners that happiness and freedom are essential parts of life, and one cannot appreciate the light if they harbor hateful feelings towards others.
Overall, "The Light That Has Lightened the World" is a profound song that explores the human experience. George Harrison reflects on how people can be so hateful towards others who possess happiness or freedom. He encourages listeners to seek the light that has lightened the world and appreciate the happiness and freedom others possess.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard how some people, have said
I am aware that there are people who have expressed negative opinions about me
That I've changed
They believe I am not the same person I used to be
That I'm not what I was
They think I am not true to my former self
How it really is a shame
It is unfortunate that they have such harsh perceptions of me
The thoughts in their heads,
Their negative thoughts and opinions
Manifest on their brow
Are visible in their facial expressions and demeanor
Like bad scars from ill feelings
Their negative emotions have left a lasting mark on them
They themselves arouse
They bring about these negative feelings within themselves
So hateful of anyone that is happy
They have a deep animosity towards those who are content and fulfilled
Or 'free'
Or those who are unconstrained by societal norms
They live all their lives,
Their negative mindset shapes their entire existence
Without looking to see
They do not make the effort to find a different perspective
The light that has lighted the world
They are blind to the positive aspects of the world and the people in it
It's funny how people, just won't
It is ironic how resistant people can be
Accept change
They refuse to embrace transformations
As if nature itself - they'd prefer
As if they would rather even nature itself remain constant
Re-arranged
Never changing
So hard to move on
It is difficult to progress forward
When you're down in a hole
When you are in a difficult situation
Where there's so little chance,
When there are few opportunities
To experience soul
To feel fulfilled and alive
I'm grateful to anyone,
I am appreciative of those individuals
That is happy or 'free'
Who are fulfilled and unconstrained by societal standards
For giving me hope
They provide me with optimism
While I'm looking to see
As I search for
The light that has lighted the world
The positive aspects of the world that they are blind to
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind