Here Comes The Sun (Harrison)
In the midst of the breakup of the Beatles, George wrote Here Comes The Sun as a hopeful song that reminded him that no matter how bad things seem to be, he could always slip away (as he did often with Eric Clapton). During one specific trip, he borrowed one of Clapton’s guitars and walked through a garden and enjoyed the sunshine.
Quotes
“It was just the release of the tension that had been building up on me. It was the first time I’d played the guitar for a couple of weeks, because I’d been so busy. It just came and I finished it later when I was on holiday in Sardinia.” – George Harrison
“The basic riff was a bit like all those ‘Bells Of Rhymney’ Byrds-type things. That’s how I see it, anyway. It’s quite vintage.” – George Harrison
“He said, ‘Oh I’ve got this song. It’s like seven-and-a-half time.’ I had to find some way that I could physically do it and do it every time. That’s one of those Indian tricks.” – Ringo Starr
Personnel
- George Harrison – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonium, Moog synthesizer, handclaps
- Paul McCartney – backing vocal, bass, handclaps
- Ringo Starr – drums, handclaps
- Uncredited session musicians – 4 violas, 4 cellos, double bass, 2 piccolos, 2 flutes, 2 alto flutes, 2 clarinets
Release history
- Abbey Road (1969)
- 1967-1970 (1973)
- The Beatles Ballads – 20 Original Tracks (1980)
- Love (2006) [LOVE mix]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [2019 mix]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [take 9]
Notable covers
- The line “Here comes the sun/and I say…” appears in Madonna’s song Rain (from the album Erotica)
