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.
Wah Wah
George Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've given me a wah-wah
And I'm thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you've given me your
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me crying
Oh, you don't hear me sighing
Wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free, wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me crying
Hey baby, you don't hear me sighing
Oh, no, no, no, no
Wah-wah
Now I don't need no wah-wahs
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free of wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah
George Harrison's song "Wah-Wah" deals with the theme of emotional dependence and the realization that one can be much happier by letting go of negativity. In the first verse of the song, he mentions that he has been given a "wah-wah," which representing a feeling of emotional distress or pain, by someone that he used to have a close relationship with. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "wah-wah" several times, emphasizing the pain and the negative emotions that he is feeling.
Harrison then alludes to the fact that the person who gave him the "wah-wah" made him a star, but that there was a price to pay for that fame. He is expressing the idea that the cost of fame had harmed him emotionally and that he has now realized that he does not need this person's validation and can find happiness without them.
The ending of the song gives a sense of strength as Harrison repeats several times that he doesn't need any "wah-wah" in his life. He has realized that he can find happiness and be free without being emotionally dependent on someone who is toxic.
Overall, "Wah-Wah" is a powerful song that encompasses themes of emotional pain, fame, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Wah-wah
The term 'wah-wah' represents a dissatisfaction or an unpleasant sound, which is indicated by the musician playing the guitar.
You've given me a wah-wah
George is blaming someone or some people for being the reason he can't express himself through music any longer. He's lost the feel for the music and his guitar itself doesn't excite him as it once did.
And I'm thinking of you
The person or people he's blaming for this problem is always on his mind.
And all the things that we used to do
He's reminiscing about happier times when he and that person or people he's blaming could make music without issues.
Wah-wah, wah-wah
The repetition of the term 'wah-wah' illustrates how much it's affecting George and his music. It’s a crucial problem.
You made me such a big star
The same people who have ruined his passion for music are the ones who helped make him a star by supporting his career in the music industry.
Being there at the right time
George got a big break in his career because of the people he's blaming. They helped him get there by being in the right place at the right time.
Cheaper than a dime
He is acknowledging the fact that the people who helped him get famous did it easily and without much effort, it just happened naturally.
Wah-wah, you've given me your
Repetition of the term 'wah-wah' with the addition of a possessive pronoun suggests that this problem he is dealing with is personal and he can't seem to shake it off.
Oh, you don't see me crying
He's telling the person (or people) responsible for his current problem that he's not outwardly showing the pain they're causing him.
I don't need no wah-wah
George is letting go of the life that he had become so famous for and wants to focus on other things that bring him happiness.
And I know how sweet life can be
George knows that there's more to life than just the music he was once passionate about.
If I keep myself free, wah-wah
If George is no longer held captive in the world of music, he would be truly happy and content.
Hey baby, you don't hear me sighing
He's reminding the person (or people) that their actions have caused him to suffer emotionally and that they don't even notice the damage they’ve inflicted on him.
Now I don't need no wah-wahs
George is happy with the way things are and doesn't need the help of those who brought him to success in the past.
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
The repetition of the term 'wah-wah' at the end suggests that although he’s moved on, that annoyance still remains with him on some level.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind