Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, eventually settling with Pete Best in 1960, who played with them for two years before being replaced with then Rory Storm & The Hurricanes drummer Ringo Starr in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein molded them into a professional act and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed "Beatlemania", the band acquired the nickname "the Fab Four", with Epstein, Martin and other members of the band's entourage sometimes given the informal title of "fifth Beatle".
By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market and breaking numerous sales records. They soon made their film debut with A Hard Day's Night (1964). From 1965 onwards, they produced increasingly innovative recordings, including the albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), and enjoyed further commercial success with The Beatles (also known as "the White Album", 1968) and Abbey Road (1969). In 1968, they founded Apple Corps, a multi-armed multimedia corporation that continues to oversee projects related to the band's legacy. After the group's break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed success as solo artists. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr remain musically active.
The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of 600 million units worldwide. They hold the record for most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart, most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and most singles sold in the UK. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted individually between 1994 and 2015. In 2008, the group topped Billboard's list of the all-time most successful artists on the Billboard Hot 100. The band received seven Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, an Academy Award (for Best Original Song Score for the 1970 film Let It Be) and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. Time magazine named them among the 20th century's 100 most important people.
Former Rolling Stone associate editor Robert Greenfield compared the Beatles to Picasso, as "artists who broke through the constraints of their time period to come up with something that was unique and original "... In the form of popular music, no one will ever be more revolutionary, more creative and more distinctive ..." The British poet Philip Larkin described their work as "an enchanting and intoxicating hybrid of African-American rock-and-roll with their own adolescent romanticism", and "the first advance in popular music since the War".
They not only sparked the British Invasion of the US, they became a globally influential phenomenon as well. From the 1920s, the US had dominated popular entertainment culture throughout much of the world, via Hollywood films, jazz, the music of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley and, later, the rock and roll that first emerged in Memphis, Tennessee. The Beatles are regarded as British cultural icons, with young adults from abroad naming the band among a group of people that they most associated with UK culture.
Their musical innovations and commercial success inspired musicians worldwide. Many artists have acknowledged the Beatles' influence and enjoyed chart success with covers of their songs. On radio, their arrival marked the beginning of a new era; in 1968 the programme director of New York's WABC radio station forbade his DJs from playing any "pre-Beatles" music, marking the defining line of what would be considered oldies on American radio. They helped to redefine the album as something more than just a few hits padded out with "filler", and they were primary innovators of the modern music video. The Shea Stadium show with which they opened their 1965 North American tour attracted an estimated 55,600 people, then the largest audience in concert history; Spitz describes the event as a "major breakthrough ... a giant step toward reshaping the concert business". Emulation of their clothing and especially their hairstyles, which became a mark of rebellion, had a global impact on fashion.
According to Gould, the Beatles changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced its role in their lives. From what began as the Beatlemania fad, the group's popularity grew into what was seen as an embodiment of socio-cultural movements of the decade. As icons of the 1960s counterculture, Gould continues, they became a catalyst for bohemianism and activism in various social and political arenas, fuelling movements such as women's liberation, gay liberation and environmentalism. According to Peter Lavezzoli, after the "more popular than Jesus" controversy in 1966, the Beatles felt considerable pressure to say the right things and "began a concerted effort to spread a message of wisdom and higher consciousness".
Other commentators such as Mikal Gilmore and Todd Leopold have traced the inception of their socio-cultural impact earlier, interpreting even the Beatlemania period, particularly on their first visit to the US, as a key moment in the development of generational awareness. Referring to their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show Leopold states: "In many ways, the Sullivan appearance marked the beginning of a cultural revolution ... The Beatles were like aliens dropped into the United States of 1964.
In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The Beatles won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film Let It Be (1970). The recipients of seven Grammy Awards and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards, the Beatles have six Diamond albums, as well as 20 Multi-Platinum albums, 16 Platinum albums and six Gold albums in the US. In the UK, the Beatles have four Multi-Platinum albums, four Platinum albums, eight Gold albums and one Silver album. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
The best-selling band in history, the Beatles have sold more than 800 million physical and digital albums as of 2013. They have had more number-one albums on the UK charts, fifteen, and sold more singles in the UK, 21.9 million, than any other act. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Beatles as the most significant and influential rock music artists of the last 50 years. They ranked number one on Billboard magazine's list of the all-time most successful Hot 100 artists, released in 2008 to celebrate the US singles chart's 50th anniversary. As of 2017, they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with twenty. The Recording Industry Association of America certifies that the Beatles have sold 178 million units in the US, more than any other artist. They were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most influential people. In 2014, they received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
There are two holidays celebrated for the Beatles: Global Beatles Day on 25 June each year. On that date in 1967, the band performed "All You Need Is Love" on television. In 2001, UNESCO created World Beatles Day on 16 January each year. This date has direct relation to the opening of The Cavern Club in 1957.
Five asteroids, 4147 Lennon, 4148 McCartney, 4149 Harrison, 4150 Starr and 8749 Beatles are named after the Beatles.
My Sweet Lord
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hm, my Lord
Hm, my Lord
I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord
But it takes so long, my Lord
My sweet Lord
Hm, my Lord
Hm, my Lord
I really want to know you
Really want to go with you
Really want to show you Lord
That it won't take long, my Lord (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
I really want to see you
Really want to see you
Really want to see you, Lord
Really want to see you, Lord
But it takes so long, my Lord (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (hallelujah)
My, my, my Lord (hallelujah)
I really want to know you (hallelujah)
Really want to go with you (hallelujah)
Really want to show you Lord (ahhh)
That it won't take long, my Lord (hallelujah)
Hmm (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
My, my Lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
Oh hm, my sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)
Ooh-ooh-ooh (Hare Hare)
Now, I really want to see you (Hare Rama)
Really want to be with you (Hare Rama)
Really want to see you Lord (ahhh)
But it takes so long, my Lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (hallelujah)
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
My Lord (Hare Hare)
Hm, hm (Gurur Brahma)
Hm, hm (Gurur Vishnu)
Hm, hm (Gurur Devo)
Hm, hm (Maheshwara)
My sweet Lord (Gurur Sakshaat)
My sweet Lord (Parabrahma)
My, my, my Lord (Tasmayi Shree)
My, my, my, my Lord (Guruve Namah)
My sweet lord (Hare Rama)
(Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
My lord (Hare Hare)
The lyrics to My Sweet Lord express a longing for a deeper connection with God. The repetition of "my Lord" and "hallelujah" and the use of Eastern religious chants like "Hare Krishna" and "Hare Rama" convey a sense of spiritual yearning. The lyrics express a desire to see and know God and to be with Him, and acknowledge that it can sometimes feel like a long wait to experience that connection.
One interpretation of the song is that it reflects George Harrison's own spiritual journey. Harrison was a devout follower of Hinduism and incorporated many of its teachings into his music. The inclusion of the Hindu mantra “Hare Krishna” in the song is a clear example of this. The use of multiple references to deities from Hinduism further cements this theory. It is notable that the song was released on Harrison's triple album "All Things Must Pass," which included many songs related to his belief in Eastern spiritualism.
Overall, “My Sweet Lord” is a song that celebrates spirituality and our universal desire for a deeper connection with the divine. It speaks to the power of faith and belief in something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
My sweet Lord
The singer is addressing their deity and acknowledging their affection for them.
Hm, my Lord
The singer is showing reverence and deep respect for their deity.
I really want to see you
The singer expresses their desire for a spiritual connection with their deity that goes beyond words and longs to experience their presence.
Really want to be with you
The artist desires a meaningful relationship with their deity that goes beyond daily rituals and wants to be in their company to feel their love and guidance.
Really want to see you, Lord
The artist reiterates their longing to experience a loving connection with their deity.
But it takes so long, my Lord
The singer acknowledges the difficulties they face in trying to establish a meaningful connection with their deity, but remains hopeful and committed to their faith.
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
The singer continues to address their deity with affection and praises them.
I really want to know you
The artist desires to deepen their understanding of their deity, to know them beyond their traditional beliefs and rituals.
Really want to go with you
The artist wants to be guided by their deity on their spiritual journey and seeks a deeper connection with them.
Really want to show you Lord
The artist wants to demonstrate their devotion and commitment to their deity through their actions and deeds.
That it won't take long, my Lord (hallelujah)
The singer believes that with their deity's guidance, their spiritual journey will be fulfilling and rewarding, and the difficulties they face will not seem insurmountable.
Hm (hallelujah)
The artist continues to show their reverence for their deity.
My, my Lord (hallelujah)
The singer acknowledges their deity's superiority and their unwavering faith in them.
Hm, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
The singer invokes the name of their deity to seek their blessings and guidance.
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
The singer continues to invoke the name of their deity and reaffirms their devotion to them.
Oh hm, my sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)
The artist expresses their affection for their deity and praises them by addressing them by one of their many names.
Ooh-ooh-ooh (Hare Hare)
The artist continues to praise their deity and asks for their blessings.
Now, I really want to see you (Hare Rama)
The singer reiterates their longing to experience a spiritual connection with their deity and invokes another one of their names to seek their presence.
Really want to be with you (Hare Rama)
The singer desires to be in the company of their deity and seeks their guidance and love.
Really want to see you Lord (ahhh)
The artist expresses their deep longing to experience a loving connection with their deity and seeks their presence.
Hm, my Lord (hallelujah)
The artist continues to show their reverence for their deity and praises them.
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
The artist acknowledges their deity's superiority and their unwavering faith in them.
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
The singer continues to address their deity with affection and praises them.
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
The artist addresses their deity by one of their many names and expresses their affection for them.
My Lord (Hare Hare)
The singer continues to acknowledge their deity's presence and power and seeks their blessings.
Hm, hm (Gurur Brahma)
The singer invokes the name of their deity to express their reverence and to seek their guidance.
Hm, hm (Gurur Vishnu)
The singer invokes the name of their deity to express their reverence and to seek their guidance.
Hm, hm (Gurur Devo)
The artist invokes the name of their deity to express their reverence and to seek their guidance.
Hm, hm (Maheshwara)
The artist invokes the name of their deity to express their reverence and to seek their guidance.
My sweet Lord (Gurur Sakshaat)
The singer addresses their deity by one of their many names and expresses their affection for them.
My sweet Lord (Parabrahma)
The singer addresses their deity and expresses their belief in their supreme power and strength.
My, my, my Lord (Tasmayi Shree)
The artist praises their deity and recognizes them as the source of all good things in the world.
My, my, my, my Lord (Guruve Namah)
The artist acknowledges their deity's power and authority and reaffirms their devotion to them.
My sweet lord (Hare Rama)
The artist addresses their deity by one of their many names and expresses their affection for them.
(Hare Krishna)
The singer continues to invoke the name of their deity to seek their blessings and guidance.
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
The artist continues to address their deity with affection and praises them.
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
The singer addresses their deity by one of their many names and expresses their affection for them.
My lord (Hare Hare)
The singer acknowledges their deity's presence and power and seeks their blessings.
Contributed by Madison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@darthvader5300
Lyrics
My sweet Lord
My Lord
Mmm, my Lord
I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord
But it takes so long, my Lord
My sweet Lord
My Lord
My Lord
I really want to know you
Really want to go with you
Really want to show you, Lord
But it won't take long, my Lord (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)
My Lord (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)
Really want to see you
Really want to see you
Really want to see you, Lord
Really want to see you, Lord
But it takes so long, my lord (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)
My Lord (Hallelujah)
My Lord (Hallelujah)
I really want to know you (Hallelujah)
Really want to go with you (Hallelujah)
Really want to show you, Lord (Ah, ah)
But it won't take long, my Lord (Ah, ah, hallelujah)
Mm, mm, mm (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)
My, my Lord (Hallelujah)
Mm, mm, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
Oh, oh my sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Hare Hare)
Now, I really want to see you (Hare Rama)
Really want to be with you (Hare Rama)
Really want to see you, Lord (Ah, ah)
But it takes so long, my Lord (Ah, ah, hallelujah)
Mm, my Lord (Hallelujah)
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
My lord (Hare Hare)
Mm, mm (Gurur Brahma)
Mm, mm (Gurur Vishnu)
Mm, mm (Gurur Devo)
Mm, mm (Maheshwarah)
My sweet Lord (Guru Sakshata)
My sweet Lord (Parabrahma)
My, my, my Lord (Tasmayi Shree)
My, my, my, my Lord (Guruve namah)
My sweet Lord (Hare Rama)
(Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
My lord (Hare Hare)
@octaviodossantosgouveiafil8507
An artificial intelligence will never be able to make a song like this. It takes human intelligence, feeling and spirituality. Only an enlightened brain like G.Harrison could give us this gift !
@quasar4601
AI will next century 😞😞
@LJ777
They already doing that jack
@quasar4601
@@LJ777 , NOT TRUE AI. Just a raw computer power. NO AI exists that knows its alive
@caliemm4558
It is pretty special yes
@carmenbrown3437
A robot couldn't have created the heart felt stuff.
@mateot7170
My mom passed away today after living 7+ years with Alzheimer’s disease. My dad played this song for her just moment’s before she passed. I had no idea she loved this particular song, but she did and it was the last thing she heard. I now have something to listen to that will take me right back to her whenever I hear it. Thank you Mr Harrison🙏🏻
@SoulCircusGospelChoir
May She rest in peace and sempiternal light.
@matt75hooper
Godspeed to you. My dad left when I was two. One night..... I came downstairs and heard this song playing in the living room. I peeked around the corner and it was my dad. He was slow shadow dancing to this song all by himself. Something told me to keep quiet and take it all in. He was a gentle soul that got lost & trapped in a bottle. How I cherish this song. It made forgiveness very easy.
@davidsiracuse6672
I am sorry for your loss my friend.