The Recording of All Things Must Pass by George Harrison: A Landmark Solo Endeavor
After the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970, George Harrison emerged from the shadow of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting duo with a landmark triple album, All Things Must Pass. The project not only showcased Harrison’s prolific songwriting but also signaled a new era of spiritual and musical exploration. Its recording was an ambitious and collaborative effort that reflected both the tensions of the Beatles’ final years and the creative freedom Harrison was finally able to embrace.
Background and Genesis
During his time with The Beatles, many of Harrison’s compositions were sidelined in favor of Lennon and McCartney’s output. By the late 1960s, Harrison had accumulated a vast backlog of songs that had never been recorded by the band. Titles like “Isn’t It a Pity” and “All Things Must Pass” dated back as far as 1966–1968. Frustrated by the limited space afforded to him on Beatles albums, Harrison found himself increasingly inspired by artists outside the Beatles’ inner circle, such as Bob Dylan and The Band, with whom he spent time in Woodstock in 1968.
The death of the Beatles was not officially declared when All Things Must Pass was conceived, but the writing was on the wall. Harrison began planning his solo project in early 1970, and the breakup of the band was confirmed shortly before the album was released in November of that year.
Phil Spector and the Wall of Sound
To bring his vision to life, Harrison recruited legendary producer Phil Spector, known for his “Wall of Sound” technique. Spector had previously worked with The Beatles on the Let It Be album and was impressed by Harrison’s demo tapes. His grand, echo-laden production style would leave a lasting imprint on the album.
The sessions began in late May 1970 at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) and Trident Studios in London. They were marked by an enormous roster of musicians, often compared to an all-star band. These included:
- Eric Clapton (guitar)
- Ringo Starr (drums)
- Billy Preston (keyboards)
- Klaus Voormann (bass)
- Gary Wright (keyboards)
- Peter Frampton (guitar)
- Members of Badfinger (acoustic guitar, backing vocals)
The result was a lush and layered sound, especially prominent on tracks like “Wah-Wah” and “My Sweet Lord.”
Songs and Spirituality
The album reflects Harrison’s deepening interest in Indian spirituality and the teachings of Krishna consciousness. “My Sweet Lord” became a worldwide hit, combining Christian “Hallelujahs” with chants of “Hare Krishna.” The title track, “All Things Must Pass,” served as a poignant reflection on impermanence and renewal—a theme resonating with Harrison as he moved beyond the Beatles.
Other standout tracks include:
- “Beware of Darkness” – a warning against spiritual deception
- “Awaiting on You All” – a joyous, gospel-influenced call to devotion
- “Isn’t It a Pity” – a lament on human misunderstanding and disconnection
Legacy and Impact
Released on November 27, 1970, All Things Must Pass was a commercial and critical triumph. It topped the charts in both the UK and the US, and Rolling Stone later ranked it among the greatest albums of all time. “My Sweet Lord” became the first solo Beatle single to hit No. 1.
The album’s success proved that Harrison was not merely the “quiet Beatle,” but a major creative force in his own right. Its spiritual depth, sonic ambition, and emotional honesty have influenced generations of artists. Even decades later, All Things Must Pass remains a high watermark for solo Beatles projects.
🎼 Recording Timeline: All Things Must Pass
Early 1970 – Demos and Planning
- February–March 1970: George Harrison begins demoing songs at his home studio, Friar Park. Many were written during or shortly after his time with Bob Dylan and The Band.
- May 1970: Harrison presents his demos to Phil Spector, who is immediately impressed by the volume and quality of material. Spector agrees to co-produce.
May–June 1970 – Basic Tracks
- May 26–28, 1970: Formal sessions begin at EMI (Abbey Road) Studios. Early takes of “Wah-Wah,” “Let It Down,” and “My Sweet Lord” are recorded.
- Core musicians include Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann, Billy Preston, and Eric Clapton (who brings along members of Derek and the Dominos).
June–July 1970 – Wall of Sound Production
- June–July 1970: Work continues at Trident Studios and Abbey Road. The production becomes massive in scale, especially on tracks like “Isn’t It a Pity,” with multiple overdubs, orchestration, and choirs.
- Songs like “Beware of Darkness,” “Awaiting on You All,” and “What Is Life” are tracked during this time.
August 1970 – Final Overdubs and Mixing
- August 1970: Final overdubs and string arrangements are added, some orchestrated by John Barham.
- Harrison compiles and mixes tracks with Phil Spector, although Spector’s erratic behavior (exacerbated by alcohol use) makes collaboration difficult at times.
October 1970 – Final Touches
- October 1970: Apple Records prepares the artwork and packaging, including the now-iconic cover photo of Harrison seated among garden gnomes at Friar Park.
- Mastering is completed. Harrison insists on a triple-album format—two discs of songs, one of jams (Apple Jam).
November 27, 1970 – Album Release
- All Things Must Pass is released to immediate critical and commercial acclaim.
- “My Sweet Lord” becomes a No. 1 hit by December.
🎙️ George Harrison (on the album and creative freedom)
“It’s just something that was like being constipated for years. It was a relief to get it out.”
— on finally recording songs he’d been stockpiling during his Beatles years.
“I didn’t have many tunes on Beatles albums, so doing All Things Must Pass was like the floodgates opening.”
“The biggest break in my career was getting out of the Beatles. It allowed me to be me.”
🎸 Eric Clapton (guitarist, Derek and the Dominos)
“George had this huge batch of songs that were all incredible. We were blown away by the quality and the emotion.”
Clapton played a major role in organizing the session musicians, especially for the jam-based Apple Jam disc.
🥁 Ringo Starr (drummer, ex-Beatle)
“It was great for George. He was so happy to be doing his own thing, and we were all just supporting him. It felt right.”
🎹 Billy Preston (keyboardist and longtime Harrison collaborator)
“There was a real spiritual vibe in the studio. George wasn’t just singing pop songs—he was giving something deeper.”
🎛️ Phil Spector (producer)
“George had so many beautiful melodies, but he also wanted a sound that was big and emotional. That’s what I tried to give him.”
Spector’s “Wall of Sound” was both admired and criticized—but undeniably shaped the epic feel of tracks like “Isn’t It a Pity.”
📀 Critical Retrospectives
Later in life, Harrison reflected:
“Maybe it was too produced. But at the time, I was just happy to have the chance to get the songs out there the way I heard them.”
Track Breakdown
🎵 1. “My Sweet Lord”
Theme: Spiritual longing, religious unity
Length: 4:41
Key Contributors: George Harrison (vocals, guitar), Billy Preston (organ), Eric Clapton (guitar), Ringo Starr (drums)
🎧 Background & Composition
- Harrison originally wrote “My Sweet Lord” during a 1969 tour of Europe with Delaney & Bonnie (featuring Clapton and Preston).
- Inspired by the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ version of “Oh Happy Day,” Harrison wanted to create a gospel-infused pop song that merged spiritual traditions.
📖 Lyrics & Message
- Begins with Christian “Hallelujah” refrains, transitioning into the Hindu “Hare Krishna” chant.
- Harrison’s intent was to show the universality of God, regardless of religious background.
“I really wanted to show that ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Hare Krishna’ are quite the same thing.”
⚖️ Controversy
- In 1971, Harrison was sued for alleged plagiarism of The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine.”
- He lost the case and later admitted it was “subconscious plagiarism,” writing the ironic “This Song” in response.
🎵 2. “Isn’t It a Pity”
Theme: Human misunderstanding, sorrow, and compassion
Length: 7:10
Key Contributors: George Harrison (vocals, guitar), Tony Ashton (keyboards), full orchestration
🎧 Background & Composition
- Originally written in 1966, this song was rejected for inclusion on Revolver and again during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions.
- It became a centerpiece of All Things Must Pass, appearing in two versions on the album (one more expansive, the other more restrained).
📖 Lyrics & Message
“Isn’t it a pity / Isn’t it a shame / How we break each other’s hearts / And cause each other pain”
- The lyrics reflect disillusionment—possibly with The Beatles, but also with humanity’s tendency toward emotional carelessness.
- The production builds to a sweeping crescendo, evoking sadness and catharsis.
💬 George Harrison on the song:
“It’s just about the unimportance of being right and the importance of being kind.”
🎵 3. “What Is Life”
Theme: Joyful uncertainty in love and spirituality
Length: 4:22
Key Contributors: George Harrison (guitar, vocals), Eric Clapton (lead guitar), Bobby Keys (sax), Jim Price (trumpet, trombone)
🎧 Background & Composition
- Written quickly by Harrison in 1969, originally intended for Billy Preston.
- He decided to keep it for himself after realizing its upbeat tone suited his own record.
- Driven by a jubilant Motown-style horn section and a danceable rhythm, it’s one of the most accessible pop-rock songs on the album.
📖 Lyrics & Message
“What is life if not to give your love?”
- The song straddles romantic and spiritual meanings. It could be a love song—or a devotional cry to the divine.
- Harrison never specified whom it was addressed to, keeping it intentionally ambiguous.
📺 Legacy
- One of Harrison’s biggest solo hits, reaching No. 10 in the US.
- Revived in later years in film soundtracks (Goodfellas, This Is 40), giving it a new cultural lifespan.
🎵 4. “All Things Must Pass”
Theme: Impermanence, hope, and renewal
Length: 3:44
Key Contributors: George Harrison (vocals, guitar), Gary Wright (piano), Klaus Voormann (bass), Alan White (drums)
🎧 Background & Composition
- Written in 1968, deeply influenced by Harrison’s admiration for The Band and his friendship with Bob Dylan.
- The Beatles passed over it during the Get Back sessions, though a demo exists.
- The title would eventually represent the entire album—a meditation on letting go.
📖 Lyrics & Message
“Sunrise doesn’t last all morning / A cloudburst doesn’t last all day.”
- A lyrical expression of the Buddhist and Vedantic concept of impermanence—good times and bad all pass.
- Interpreted as both personal (the end of The Beatles) and universal.
💬 George Harrison on the song:
“It’s a reminder that everything is always changing… and that’s okay.”
🎵 5. “Beware of Darkness”
Theme: Spiritual caution, self-awareness, and inner peace
Length: 3:47
Key Contributors: George Harrison (vocals, guitar), Billy Preston (organ), Klaus Voormann (bass), Ringo Starr (drums)
🎧 Background & Composition
- Written in 1969, “Beware of Darkness” is one of Harrison’s most introspective and sobering songs.
- Harrison was deeply involved in his spiritual practices and the study of Eastern philosophies at the time, and the song reflects his growing concern with the dangers of spiritual pride and the ego.
- The somber tone contrasts with much of the album’s more upbeat moments, serving as a meditative reflection.
📖 Lyrics & Message
“Beware of darkness / It can hit you / It can hurt you / Make you sore.”
- Harrison warns against negative forces—whether within oneself or in the world around us—that can deceive and bring harm, particularly in the spiritual realm.
- The song touches on themes of self-deception and the need to be vigilant about ego, attachment, and materialism.
💬 George Harrison on the song:
“It’s a warning that we’re constantly being tempted by the illusion of the material world and how we can get lost in it.”
🌀 Legacy
- The track is often cited by fans and critics as one of Harrison’s most profound compositions, as it echoes themes of spirituality and personal struggle throughout his life.
🎵 6. “Apple Jam”
Theme: Freewheeling improvisation and creative release
Length: 15:08 (combined total of all jams on the disc)
Key Contributors: Various session musicians including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, and others.
🎧 Background & Composition
- Apple Jam is a collection of three instrumental jam sessions recorded during the All Things Must Pass sessions. It’s not a conventional track, but rather a spontaneous outpouring of musical experimentation.
- These jams were inspired by Harrison’s desire to capture the loose, collaborative energy of the session musicians, especially the all-star lineup of Clapton, Preston, and Starr.
📖 Tracks on Apple Jam Include:
- “Out of the Blue”
- “It’s Johnny’s Birthday”
- “Plug Me In”
- The jams are experimental and a contrast to the more polished tracks on the album. They are improvisational, reflecting the joy of musical collaboration and Harrison’s personal freedom after the Beatles’ breakup.
💬 George Harrison on Apple Jam (about “It’s Johnny’s Birthday”)
“I just thought it would be a laugh to record a little birthday tribute for John Lennon. It was done as a light-hearted thing, but there’s a lot of love behind it.”
Legacy of Apple Jam
- While Apple Jam is less commercially successful and often overlooked, it provides an essential counterpoint to the rest of the album’s more serious tracks. It’s a reflection of Harrison’s playful side and his love for music beyond boundaries.
