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.
Unconsciousness Rules
George Harrison Lyrics
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That's why you look such a wreck
Your face is pale you look drawn
Your clothes are dirty and torn
You've got that look in your eyes that says
You're half alive and you're lost inside
Meanwhile you're back in your cage
Ego'd out on the stage
You've got yourself in a bind
You don't know how to unwind
Your senses unsatisfied
Take you along on a ride
You've got a way and a stance that says
You'll dance the pants off of everyone
Then you go back on the floor
You got to get through the door
Where the unconsciousness rules
You've lost a screw in your head
It shows the way you're led
Blind leading the blind
Nothing can stand in your way
You're living day after day
Where the unconsciousness rules
The lyrics to George Harrison's song 'Unconsciousness Rules' tell the story of someone who is stuck in a cycle of going out to dance at a discotheque. The person is half alive and lost inside, possibly due to drug use, as indicated by the line "Your face is pale you look drawn, Your clothes are dirty and torn." The song also suggests that this person is searching for satisfaction and fulfillment, but they are unable to find it in their nightly outings.
The lyrics go on to describe how the person is trapped in their own ego and that they are guided by a faulty sense of leadership. The line "You've lost a screw in your head, It shows the way you're led," emphasizes this point. Despite this, the person keeps on living day after day where the unconsciousness rules, suggesting that they are unable to break free from the cycle of addiction and self-destruction.
In summary, 'Unconsciousness Rules' is a commentary on the negative effects of addiction and the cultural norms that promote unconscious behavior. Through its lyrics, the song encourages listeners to confront their inner demons and suggests that true fulfillment can only be found by breaking free from the patterns of self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
You dance at the discotheque
You are trying to distract yourself with shallow experiences.
That's why you look such a wreck
You're not taking care of yourself, physically or mentally.
Your face is pale you look drawn
Your soul is depleted, and your body is suffering as a result.
Your clothes are dirty and torn
Your outward appearance reflects your inner turmoil.
You've got that look in your eyes that says
You're lost, uncertain, and searching for something meaningful.
You're half alive and you're lost inside
You're only going through the motions of living without true purpose or passion.
Meanwhile you're back in your cage
You're trapped in a cycle of negative behavior and mindset.
Ego'd out on the stage
You're putting on a front for others, ignoring your own emotional needs.
Where the unconsciousness rules
You're allowing yourself to be ruled by instinct and impulse, instead of conscious, deliberate choices.
You've got yourself in a bind
You've created problems for yourself, and don't know how to get out of them.
You don't know how to unwind
You're unable to relax and take care of your own needs.
Your senses unsatisfied
You're trying to fill a void with superficial pleasures and distractions.
Take you along on a ride
Your emotions and impulses are dictating your choices and actions.
You've got a way and a stance that says
You present yourself with confidence, but it masks your inner turmoil.
You'll dance the pants off of everyone
You try to find validation and fulfillment through attention and admiration from others.
Then you go back on the floor
You repeat the same unfulfilling patterns of behavior and thought.
You got to get through the door
You want to break free from your current situation, but don't know how.
Where the unconsciousness rules
Your mind and actions are being controlled by instinct and habit, not conscious decision-making.
You've lost a screw in your head
Your mental state is unstable and erratic.
It shows the way you're led
Your choices and actions reflect your unbalanced state of mind.
Blind leading the blind
You're following others who are also lost and misguided.
Nothing can stand in your way
You're reckless and don't consider the consequences of your actions.
You're living day after day
You're not actively shaping your future, just going through the motions of life without purpose or joy.
Where the unconsciousness rules
You're living without intention, propelled only by instinct and habit.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind