BACKGROUND
As East Pakistan struggled to become the separate state of Bangladesh (see Bangladesh Liberation War), the tremendous political and military turmoil led to a massive refugee problem in India. This problem was compounded by the 1970 Bhola cyclone, bringing torrential rains causing devastating floods and threatening a humanitarian disaster.
Bengali musician Ravi Shankar consulted his friend George Harrison regarding a means of providing help to the situation. Harrison recorded the single "Bangla Desh" to raise awareness and pushed Apple Records to release Shankar's single "Joi Bangla" in a dual-pronged effort to raise funds.
Shankar also asked Harrison's advice regarding a small fund-raising concert in the United States. Harrison took the idea and started calling his friends, persuading them to join him in a large concert at Madison Square Garden. The event was organised within five weeks.
Harrison first asked his fellow Beatles to appear. John Lennon agreed to take part in the concert, however Harrison stipulated that Lennon's wife Yoko Ono not perform with him. Lennon agreed, but left New York two days before the event following an argument with Ono regarding his and Harrison's agreement that she not participate. Paul McCartney declined because of the bad feelings caused by The Beatles' legal problems on their break-up. Ringo Starr, however, readily agreed to appear.
CONCERT PROGRAM
Ravi Shankar and the sarodist Ali Akbar Khan opened the concert with recital of Indian music consisting of the rāga, "Bangla Dhun".
It was the first live appearance for George Harrison since the breakup of The Beatles. Eric Clapton made his first public appearance since the end of the five-month Derek and the Dominos tour the previous December. Clapton was still in the grip of a heroin addiction, and had been unable to attend any rehearsals until the final soundcheck. This was the first live performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and was the first time the public was made aware that it was Clapton who played the solo on The Beatles' recording.
Musical help was also on hand from Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Badfinger, a large horn section put together by Jim Horn and other musicians, including Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organized by Don Nix.
Bob Dylan made his first stage appearance since the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969. Apart from sitting in for a few numbers with The Band on New Year 1972 and an unannounced appearance backing John Prine on harmonica at a Greenwich Village club, he did not play live again until January 1974.
Here Comes The Sun
George Harrison And Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I say it's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right
It's all right
George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun" is a song that exudes positivity and optimism. It is one of his best-known and most beloved compositions, and it speaks to the power of hope and the inevitability of change. The song conveys the feeling of relief that comes with the arrival of spring or summer, after a long and dark winter or other difficult period in life. The opening lines, "Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right," are an immediate declaration of joy and optimism. The repetition of the phrase "it's all right" throughout the song reinforces this positive sentiment.
The major theme of the song is the arrival of something good after a period of hardship or struggle. This idea is represented by the sun, which is a symbol of warmth, light, and positivity. Harrison uses imagery to describe the change of seasons, referring to the "long cold lonely winter" and the "smiles returning to the faces" when spring arrives. The lyrics suggest that this change is natural and inevitable - the sun will always come after the darkness, and things will get better eventually. The repeated phrase "It's all right" conveys the message that everything will be okay, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
The sun is finally rising and bringing light and warmth to the world again after a long, dark time.
And I say it's all right
I feel relief and happiness that the sun is finally shining again.
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
The season of winter has been particularly harsh, lonely, and difficult to endure.
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
The absence of the sun, and the accompanying joy and warmth it provides, has been a prolonged and burdensome experience for everyone.
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
People are finally beginning to feel happy and hopeful again as the sun's light and warmth lifts their spirits.
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
The sun is returning, and with it comes the hope and promise of better times ahead.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
The arrival of the sun is cause for celebration and excitement.
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
The metaphorical 'ice' that has been enveloping people's hearts and spirits is beginning to thaw as the warmth of the sun returns.
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
The world feels like it's been covered in darkness and shadows for a long time, and people are ready for the sun to bring clarity and brightness back to their lives.
And I say it's all right
The arrival of the sun brings a sense of relief and comfort, and I feel grateful that it's finally here.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dnaga2484
The smiles returning to the faces
@dianacortes5066
👍
@karolinaholubekova4454
Little darling~
@marinac2030
"The Beatles saved the world from boredom."
George Harrison
@kebab_boi
This was posted today, how tf did you comment 3 days ago?? Are you part of the YouTube corrupt top comment mafia?? I knew you were one of them!! 😳
@RingoStarr39
George actually sings, "The smiles returning to their faces."
@everythingman987
I can't believe this song is 50 years old. When it first heard it, it wasn't even 30 yet and George was still with us.
@IrisCrain
I'm pretty sure I heard it before I was born, my mom was a huge Beatles fan!!
@ELLIOT1311
I wasn’t born until 30 years after it was released.
@MissAstorDancer
It is truly hard to believe it's been 50 years! I was 16 years old, and bought the album as soon as it was released in the US. Abbey Road is my favorite album!