While My Guitar Gently Weeps
George Harrison (The Beatles) Lyrics
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While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know how nobody told you how to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know how you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
No one alerted you
I look at you all I see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
Look at you all
Still my guitar gently weeps
George Harrison wrote this song in 1968, during a low point in his life. His band, The Beatles, were facing internal struggles and Harrison was feeling overwhelmed by the world around him. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a song about the complexities of love and how it can be disrupted by outside forces.
The opening lyrics, "I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping / While my guitar gently weeps," set the tone for the rest of the song. Harrison is observing the world around him, and while he sees love, he also sees that it is not enough. The image of his guitar weeping is an interesting one, as it conveys the sadness and frustration he is feeling.
The second verse addresses how people can be controlled and manipulated by outside forces. Harrison sings, "I don't know how nobody told you how to unfold your love / I don't know how someone controlled you / They bought and sold you." He is acknowledging the ways in which society can mold and shape individuals, preventing them from fully expressing themselves and experiencing love.
The final verse brings the song full circle, with Harrison once again recognizing the love around him. However, he acknowledges that there are still problems to be confronted and mistakes to be made. The line "With every mistake we must surely be learning / Still my guitar gently weeps" suggests that even when things are not perfect, there is still room for growth and improvement.
Overall, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a powerful song that deals with universal themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
I observe all of you and notice that love still exists, even if it is not being expressed
While my guitar gently weeps
My guitar expresses my emotions because it can 'weep' when I cannot
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
I notice the mess on the floor and realize it needs to be cleaned
Still my guitar gently weeps
Despite the mess on the floor, my guitar continues to express emotions
I don't know how nobody told you how to unfold your love
I am unsure why no one has taught you how to express your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
I am unsure how someone has controlled you and prevented you from expressing yourself
They bought and sold you
They have treated you like a commodity to be bought and sold, rather than a human being with feelings
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
I am aware of the world moving and changing around me
While my guitar gently weeps
My guitar continues to express my emotions even as the world changes
With every mistake we must surely be learning
I believe that we learn and grow from our mistakes
Still my guitar gently weeps
My guitar continues to express emotions even as I make mistakes and learn from them
I don't know how you were diverted
I am unsure how you were led away from expressing yourself
You were perverted too
Your thoughts and actions may have been distorted from their original state
I don't know how you were inverted
I am unsure how you were turned away from the truth and reversed in your beliefs
No one alerted you
No one warned you about the consequences of your actions or beliefs
I look at you all I see the love there that's sleeping
I observe all of you and notice that love still exists, even if it is not being expressed
While my guitar gently weeps
My guitar continues to express my emotions when words fail me
Look at you all
I am observing all of you and wondering why we cannot express our love openly
Still my guitar gently weeps
Despite our inability to express ourselves, my guitar continues to express emotions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Legra
Year 1987
George Harrison: Voice & Guitar
Eric Clapton: Guitar (a Les Paul)
Jeff Lyne: Guitar
Phil Collins: Drums
Ringo Starr: Drums
Ray Cooper: Percussion
Mark King: Bass
Elton John: Piano
Jool Holland: Piano
what a freaking lineup
Zack Simoni
Considering the amount of talent on each respective instrument, that guy on the tambourine must be the best tambourine player the world has ever seen.
Old Plankspanker
Well, it's Ray Cooper, who is certainly one of the best percussionists in the world!
Connor Duke
I have him at just 86 on my all time list of tambourinists though.
James Coates
Ray Cooper is one of the most well-respected percussionists in the world. He's was George's go-to, as well as Eric Clapton, Elton John, The Wallflowers, etc. Tambourine is harder than people think. You can ruin a song if you don't play just what's needed.
Connor Duke
@James Coates Thanks for explaining and full respect to Ray Cooper.
James Coates
@Connor Duke Who's your #1? Where do you put Lenny Castro?
rambo3647
Ringo and Phil. Not missing a beat. No click track, no in-ear. Just pure talent. Genius.
Eric Shackelford
REAL talent...No auto tune, no useless dancers onstage...GREAT musicians, playing great music
Harry Ass Truman
What an amazing musician gives me goosebumps just to hear it
Ar Cee
Countless cover of biggest artists, but nothing can beat the original singer/composer. And this is the greatest live version of the song👏🎶👏