Quoted from Kevin

Then what are "MySweet Lord" "What Is Life" "Ding Dong Ding Dong" "Got My Mind.." "All Those Years Ago"and "You" but stabs at pop chart music?
I can't find the quote, but he said of either Ding Dong or You that he wrote it in minutes and was the kind of pop song he'd always wanted to write. I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.

I think George was always a reluctant pop star. He wanted the adulation (because he always had it with The Beatles) but couldn't, or didn't know how to handle it on his own.

Quoted from Kevin

I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.

I agree he would have preferred to be successful, but he generally viewed pop songs as an obligation. He had to make at least one per album, so they could make a single. When that was done, it was like, Whew! On to the good stuff.

I remember the quote you're thinking of, and I can't lay my hands on it either. You provide a good list. "You" was pure pop, but it was written for Ronnie Spector (hence the high register) and George used it so he wouldn't be bothered writing a new pop tune; it did well in the charts anyway, despite the vocal stretch (top 20). "Ding Dong Ding Dong" was clearly an attempt at a commercial song that failed miserably. (I know it's a novelty song now, but IMO it's pretty dull.) I don't think George should have attempted to write anything purely commercial; it wasn't his strength.

If I had to pick a song that was representative of George writing pop from the heart, I'd pick "What Is Life". "My Sweet Lord" was an experiment writing gospel music, and "All Those Years Ago" was originally a give-away for Ringo that he took back and reworked after John's death. But some of his songs I adore like "Let It Down" and "Hear Me Lord" never got released as singles. I wonder what the criteria was for choosing which songs got released. As Kevin said, his selection of pop singles wasn't too inspiring. Perhaps it's just me, but I don't think they were representative of the bulk of his work.

Quoted from BlueMeanie

I think George was always a reluctant pop star. He wanted the adulation (because he always had it with The Beatles) but couldn't, or didn't know how to handle it on his own.

I agree he was reluctant, but did he want adulation? I agree he didn't know how to handle his success. One of the things that's so cool about Paul is that he did; he just knew how to defuse a mad situation and get people to act normally. But this is a rare skill. Look at all the people who crack up under this pressure, compared to those who handle it well. It's a slim list.

Quoted from harihead

I agree he was reluctant, but did he want adulation? I agree he didn't know how to handle his success. One of the things that's so cool about Paul is that he did; he just knew how to defuse a mad situation and get people to act normally. But this is a rare skill. Look at all the people who crack up under this pressure, compared to those who handle it well. It's a slim list.

Well, maybe he was so used to it he just thought that, that was the thing to do? Remember, he was very young when the Beatles broke through, he didn't really know anything else.

I guess i should stop being so cynical. I forget that George was very sincere in his religious beliefs, and no doubt legitemately saw all these rockstar neccessities as a bit onerous.
But in my heart of hearts, and no matter how charitable i get, I can't convince myself that though he did not seek adulation he would have very much welcomed success (he is human after all.)
But all points noted, and as I've never read George's book, or any books about him, I should probably shut up.

Don't shut up, Kevin! Discussion is healthy. It also challenges me to make sure of my facts. Opinions are fun, but I also like a good, solid quote.

Quoted Text

though he did not seek adulation he would have very much welcomed success

I absolutely agree with this. We are on solid ground here, because so does Olivia! When they recently re-evaluated the success of ATMP and officially gave it its number one spot in the UK charts, Olivia reported that George would have been "very pleased". As it was, he passed on without knowing he'd ever had a #1 album success in his own country.  

Quoted from BlueMeanie

Well, maybe he was so used to it he just thought that, that was the thing to do? Remember, he was very young when the Beatles broke through, he didn't really know anything else.

It amazes me how young these guys were. Even more, it amazes me that they continued to be good people throughout their lives. Yes, John in particular had his rough patches, but I do believe they all sincerely wanted to do good in the world. How many people in similar circumstances rapidly become horrid selfish gits?

Ahem! Back on topic. I'm now reading "Here Comes The Sun" by Joshua Greene. He unfortunately does not attribute his quotes, but according to him, young George really loved the excitement and adulation through '63, started getting overwhelmed in '64, and started hating it in '65. You can see this in their interviews. In the early ones, he outtalks McCartney! Hard to believe, but John and George have the most to say. (Look at Ready, Steady, Go, or the early UK tour interviews.) Then George gradually shuts down, until he'll hardly do more than answer a direct question, while McCartney takes over as the main spokesman. It's a fascinating transformation to watch.

George is very talkative--and funny in the early interviews.  I wonder how good a producer George was.  He produced many of his albums, but did great work for Spector and Jeff Lynne.  Damn Spector, though, for recording reverb to tape!  Couple songs on ATMP would sound great remixed.  

Quoted from Kevin

Then what are "MySweet Lord" "What Is Life" "Ding Dong Ding Dong" "Got My Mind.." "All Those Years Ago"and "You" but stabs at pop chart music?
I can't find the quote, but he said of either Ding Dong or You that he wrote it in minutes and was the kind of pop song he'd always wanted to write. I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.

I just remmeber him in an interveiw i saw or i read [i think it may be the brainwashed dvd ] saying that he has only recorded songs that he enjoyed and not thought of if it was going to be a hit or not .
Dont get me wrong i`m not kocking GEORGE`S  music i have all his solo albums even electronic sounds and wonderwall ,i loved GEORGE just as much as the other beatles , he was a truly great artist with or without the beatles .  

I think all of george's albums had songs that were great dark horse i mean it wasn't his fault he had bronchitus or how ever you spell it or something...

i could just here his voice and get giddy... lol...

Quoted from mr kite

I just remmeber him in an interveiw i saw or i read [i think it may be the brainwashed dvd ] saying that he has only recorded songs that he enjoyed and not thought of if it was going to be a hit or not .  

Hmm, I think I remember that as well. *resists looking it up* This is entirely in keeping with the majority of George's statements. He really wanted to do stuff he was interested in, and not care about the outcome. Of course, that's easier to say when you don't have to work for a living. It was Lennon, I believe, who said the early Beatles absolutely aimed their songs at the hit parade. After they broke in and got some success, they could come out with really clever tunes that were social commentary or experimental, and not love songs (which always dominate the Hit Parade).

That said, I still believe (like Kevin) that George would have preferred for the stuff he liked to be well received. But worrying too much about the outcome cripples an artist. I think that's a lot of the reason John went off for a rest. It's like, Bugger, what do they want? When really, the more unique and personal the piece of art, the more interesting it generally is to the audience. (Generally, because it still has to be accessible, and a lot of really wild stuff won't find a very big audience.) Anyway, that's my prejudice about creativity. When heartfelt and sincere meets talented execution, you've got a hit!

Quoted from DarkSweetLady

I think all of george's albums had songs that were great dark horse i mean it wasn't his fault he had bronchitus or how ever you spell it or something...

I still have one more album to listen to, then I'll have heard them all! I do love the Dark Horse song, but I'm not happy with the hoarse version. I heard the Live in Japan version first, and the song just sparkles. So it's hard for me to step down to the foggier version. The song is great--one of my favorites!-- but I prefer Healthy George singing it.

I am really loving this discussion. Thanks, everyone, for participating!

Hello HARIHEAD
I`ll have to watch the brainwashed dvd A.S.AP. i m sure i did`nt dream it  

As for the DARK HORSE album as much as georges throat is shot to pieces ,didnt he record this album after his short u.s tour ? its one of my favs [with the exception of BYE BYE LOVE] i like all the tracks
FAR EAST MAN i dont know why ,but i just love it  

ya i agree with harihead...

it wasn't his fault he had throat trouble...

Quoted from mr kite

I`ll have to watch the brainwashed dvd A.S.AP. i m sure i did`nt dream it  

Oh, good. Thanks, Kite! I have a really slow connection, so anything from YouTube takes ages to load.

As far as I remember, George got throat trouble due to overwork. He was producing an album for Ravi and for Splinter along with his own, and left himself just one month to get Dark Horse together before his tour. So he was singing on other people's tracks during the day and his own album at night! He was really distressed when his voice started to go, because he already had the band committed (lots of people had scheduled around the tour) and venues booked. He decided to go ahead. The album came out partway through the tour, as he only just finished it before they got going.

Argh. If only one could turn back the clock-- or at least drag George to the doctor. He wouldn't go on his own. Thank goodness Olivia put her foot down later so he didn't die of hepatitis! The goof.

Ive watched the brainwashed HARIHEAD and theres no mention of what i said in this thread  
It must be somwhere else i saw it .
I know why i dont watch it to often it quiet emotional ,its proberly one of georges last interviews i should imagine.
Its sad really, really sad.    

life must have been hard for george after 74, musicalley wise. he must have realised that he had made a stunning debut album and that he should never be able to make a better one.

Quoted from The Swine

life must have been hard for george after 74, musicalley wise. he must have realised that he had made a stunning debut album and that he should never be able to make a better one.

Even if he didn't admit it, he must have thought it... he was only human, like Kevin said.