The Beatles- While My Guitar Gently Weeps REACTION & REVIEW

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[@John_Locke_108]

Paul's piano intro is one of my favorite Beatles "moments". They always knew how to make an amazing song legendary with one or two little tweaks. In this case with the piano and Clapton's guitar.

[@edwardmeradith2419]

Absolutely- it’s like a faux ‘Spanish guitar’ figure done on piano- fantastic 😊

[@michaellaporte4951]

I love the unused line from George's demo version: "I look from the wings at the play you are staging / While I'm sitting here doing nothing but aging".

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

As far as I know Hendrix never covered this, but there's a famous live version featuring a scorching Prince solo that was played when George Harrison was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. There's an alternative take of this by the Beatles that is quieter and even more emotional, and with an extra verse. Well worth checking out. As far as "precursor to heavy rock" goes, wait until you hear "Helter Skelter" from later in this album!

[@pilesovinyl]

George was the secret brilliance behind John and Paul. His songwriting bloomed on this track and this album and with the addition of Eric Clapton he got the cooperation and attention of John and Paul who, prior to this, only had a certain amount of "time" for his contributions of song. As his ability grew his frustration at being limited on what he was able to get the band to include on their records was compounded. It's probably why, when finally releasing his first solo album it became a three record set-totally unheard of in those days. Truly my favorite artist of all time.

[@Roy_Bernie]

They were more and more far apart and there's no way to say who was wrong, even George Harrison said that if they haven't had 'ego' they were doing something different instead of being there playing music together, so they were incredibly different, if you see the last documentary Get Back, you see George Harrison delivering in a very weak way his 'Something' song... He always needed help for lyrics and for structure etc., probably because PM and JL were giant rivers of music, especially PM, (as Bob Dylan also said "who wouldn't struggle with two guys like PM and JL), so probably he was tired and I think it's obvious.... So Paul was obviously there playing bass and piano in this song, I'm not sure about John Lennon. Eric Clapton, at the same way the goat Billy Preston, helped a lot GH in his struggling. Btw, I also enjoy GH's acoustic version of this song...

[@Bill_Jones.]

One of my favorite songs of all time and in the top 5 of all Beatle songs in my humble opinion. How the others could have been indifferent to it initially is beyond me. When George gave Clapton a ride into London one morning and asked Clapton to play on it was a stroke of genius. And when George walked into the studio with Clapton by his side, I would have loved to see the look on the other’s faces.

[@tonygrinney7115]

George Harrison's song writing (unlike his playing) was not appreciated by John and Paul. Songs written by George did not often get accepted by the band.

[@Azabaxe80]

Clapton has spoken of this. Of how Harrison needed "back some up" to go up against the "big boys". It needs to be understood that Clapton got to be a "fan" of The Beatles only when he got close and personal and started collaborating with them and saw how the magic was made. Previously he was part of a blues purist crowd that regarded the Fab Four as "wankers" (Clapton's term). So walking in, being the Cream godhead, showing deference to only to Hendrix, Clapton didn't fear or was in awe of anybody in England. Did not give an F. And Lennon and McCartney stoop up and took notice. So much so that for an instance or two the idea crossed their minds to ask him to replace Harrison in the band. It would have been a sad disaster, though.

[@Azabaxe80]

@@tonygrinney7115 Harrison explained that by the time the first Beatles records were made, Lennon and McCartney had already gone through their crap songwriting period and were skilled and polished songwriters. Harrison had to go through that crap period while being a "Fab Four". Keep in mind, it only took him about four years to go from "Don't Bother Me" to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". That's real development in any context except when you compare it to the development his bandmates went through in the same period. No one ever said said that life would be fair, even for a Beatle.

[@kenl2091]

The way you replicate the 'hard' bit of the track sounds very like the intro of Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 which came a couple of years later. Anyway...this is one of the Beatle's best (it usually hits around number 20 in the ranking lists I glanced at) and shines because of the guitar-work, backstory and marvellous melody. Amazing how 3 of the best songwriters of the 20th century found each other in the same band from Liverpool.

[@MrDiddyDee]

It's not just those bass note beats but Chicago seem to me to have been, let's say, 'inspired' by the chord progression too.

[@cosmiccat6708]

An instant classic, this one. George wrote some of the most beautiful songs, "Long, Long, Long", being just one other He was also a great lead guitarist. In the film, "Concert For Bangladesh", which is on dvd I believe and possibly YT, he outplays Eric Clapton, who was going through his addiction problems at the time, to be fair but it's worth checking out to see the talent of this man. Love George ❤. A great reaction too, Justin!

[@ericanderson8886]

Always loved the spirituality in Georges songs. His Living in the Material World album is brilliant in that regard.

[@slaydesaid8741]

A masterpiece of a song. Great reaction, JP!

[@gdmyers47]

Inciteful, energetic reaction to a great song. Glad you appreciated it and recognized its uniqueness. It WAS Clapton on lead guitar, with George playing rhythm on George's song.

[@bobwoolerOriGinal]

Nu vel

[@philjones780]

Eric Clapton played the guitar solo on this track

[@shemanic1]

Love it. George's Masterpiece.

[@yes_head]

This was my older sister's favorite Beatles song, full stop. I've noticed women tend to like it more than men. George, you sly devil. 😉

[@JoanneTelling1]

Certainly, in my opinion, McCartney's finest bass moment. JJB would have been proud of this.

[@Grizazzle]

One of the best that the Beatles put out!!

[@stlmopoet]

Not sure how I missed this for two days. Great review. I both envy people's first listen to the Beatles, but know I cherish these decades of resonance with a song. This song has existed since before I turned 3 years old. That means I have no idea when I first heard it. The Beatles are a major part of the soundtrack of my life. I can't un-hear them. They affect how I look at all music. Endless flits of memory, layers of myself, lie within the music. It was young and vibrant, but now carries layers of age. It still manages to sound new to me. Peace to you.

[@-R.Gray-]

Also see the version on The Concert For George with Clapton and McCartney etc. Then there is the R. & R. H. of Fame performance with Prince. I think the floor needing sweeping bit was inspired by an instance in the book Autobiography of a Yogi, given to George by Ravi Shankar. This is one of Clapton's most famous solos, and the song is covered by many guitarists like Jeff Healey and Peter Frampton.

[@SpaceCattttt]

I would say that the Prince version can go to hell........if it wasn't already there.

[@-R.Gray-]

@@SpaceCattttt Guitarist Marc Mann did a great job on the Concert for George version, playing all of Clapton's fills from the record version, and he replicated Clapton's solo on the later version - until Prince came along and tried to make it all about him instead of George.

[@keithbk]

The bass riff is the same as what was used for "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago (1969). The Beatles song was released one year prior: 1968.

[@ritagryphon222]

Still love this one after all those years... Interesting reaction as always (:

[@MrDiddyDee]

Justin, you're right about the heaviness of that bass riff, there are other examples on the White album were they used a harder edged sound than previously. The best example is on 'Helter skelter', on Side 3, where they tried to compete with The Who to make their loudest sounding track ever, and they succeeded. It's believed that 'While my guitar gently weeps' overdubbed bass parts were doubled in unison, a six string 'Fender VI' bass adding a second bass line (probably played by John, but George was also known to mess about on one too) along with Paul's bass. There are points where power chords are being played on the bass too. This harder sounding bass sound can also be heard on 'Glass onion', and 'Back in the USSR'.

[@frugalseverin2282]

George returned the favor a few months later by co-writing the song 'Badge' with Eric for Cream's final album. George also played rhythm guitar on it but for contractual reasons was credited as L'Angelo Misterioso.

[@donaldanderson6604]

Badge was so called because someone misread Bridge on the lead sheet in the studio.

[@paulsomersetwolf5970]

George wrote some fantastic & lovely songs and my all time favourite Beatle track is 'Something' beautiful track he never really got the chance behind Lennon & MacCartney as being probably the greatest songwriters of the Music industry.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

If you like Clapton's guitar contribution you need to listen to Prince's live version with an all star line up.

[@sphericalharmony1603]

There is a nice stripped back demo version of this on the anthology album. Another thing to note: Clapton's guitar track had a flanging effect applied to it, partly to disguise the fact that he was playing on the song.

[@avantprog6902]

My favorite Beatle too. Love all his songs off the The White Album especially Long Long Long. I think it's his most personal and touching. See Dhani do Savoy Truffle, it's spooky like George.

[@andrewclayton4181]

This is one of the best things on the whole album. Love it. There's a lot of meat to enjoy in it, particularly the wailing guitar. I first found it on the b side of an Obladi Olblada single which I acquired in France. ( it wasn't released as a single in uk) one of George 's better compositions. Bass and drums make a great background to the top line.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Afternoon, Justin. Dave, who first heard this absolute classic All Those Years Ago. But it just confirms what I've said before. This is very much a George Harrison song, and sounds like a rehearsal for his solo career. You talk about the disharmony in the band; maybe they all knew that their solo careers were looming.

[@John_Locke_108]

Yep. I mean Ringo freaking quit the band during the recording of The White Album. George had a ton of amazing demos that he recorded but were ignored. The writing was already on the wall at this point.

[@ricardo_miguel13]

Agree, but Pauls harmonies are immaculate, also his bass and Ringos drums

[@thomassharmer7127]

The songs George did manage to get onto Beatles albums are among their best. This one is certainly up there. I can see what you mean about the proto "chugging" of the main descending riff. Actually Helter Skelter (written and sung by Paul) is sometimes cited as one of the first hints of what would become 'heavy metal'.

[@donaldanderson6604]

Rick Wakeman in his solo shows tells the story that the title originally didn't refer to a guitar and could just as easily have been while my euphonium gently weeps. However, the guitar playing is sublime. Rick has done some amazing Beatles covers.

[@facts2741]

I just saw an AMAZING rendition of this song at the Beatles: Love Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas last week. It really got to me. I hadn't heard the song in so long other than watching Prince do the guitar solo in that amazing clip, and they lyrics just really hit me hard. Highly recommend the show if anybody goes to Vegas anytime soon.

[@JoePauley]

Love this song. George was just on another level from John and Paul.

[@Roy_Bernie]

That's why the Beatles were and are so unique! Almost suddenly they all took different personal ways to look and feel life and music!

[@backbeat44]

a brilliant song, love the acoustic version but the best song on the album is next. what's mind blowing about the next song is that it's just 2 minutes and 44 seconds but goes through unbelievable changes.

[@jamesadkisson7510]

Really good reaction JP.

[@tbolt5883]

It's a shame you didn't discover this song earlier. I was 15 when this album came out and have been enjoying it ever since that time. (Yes, I remember seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show)

[@danielk2829]

Like your comments. Others have already said what I was going to, however ….. as you said this song sounds like metal. Well side 3 there is metal and waiting for your reaction to revolution 9 (one of the weirdest “song”) Also this and the last album (Sgt Peppers) did not have singles. They were Lady Madonna/Inner Light. And Hey Jude/Revolution (rock version). Must listen to these to get the full feel.

[@jeremyb5640]

One of George Harrison’s finest moments. A definite grandeur for sure, but while some other George songs like this can be preachy, While My Guitar is full of empathy and compassion. Heartfelt. Underpinned by that wailing, soulful lead guitar from Clapton. McCartney’s bass & piano are great but I love his harmony vocals too. Paul always brought his A game to George’s songs, even when John didn’t always show up. Literally. You were exactly right about the lyrics, though the bit about ‘randomness’ refers to the phrase ‘gently weeps’. George found that as part of an exercise in randomness. He opened a book and used the first phrase he saw as the starting point for this song. A video suggestion - George was a much loved friend to many musicians and comedians, from Ravi Shankar to the Monty Python crew to Clapton. A year after he died they staged The Concert For George at the Royal Albert Hall in his memory. The whole thing’s worth watching but do look out for the performance of this song that night featuring Clapton, McCartney & Starr plus other famous faces (including George’s young son Dhani on acoustic guitar). Highly emotional: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaO3fpZonpt_sMU

[@XFLexiconMatt]

Man, Justin, I was just waiting for you to realize and process that Eric Clapton played the electric lead on this!

[@a.k.1740]

Yes, this piece is superb and Clapton's solo is brilliant, but what I appreciate above all here are the little details that make the difference, such as the piano part in the intro played by Paul McCartney or the plaintive organ in the background played by George Harrison. All this contributes to the disenchanted aspect of this piece. If only The Beatles had also retained Harrison's other track "Not Guilty" instead of "Revolution 9"!!!!🙄

[@jackknife8317]

JP my man please keep on explororing Seru Giran!!

[@matboquita]

What you think is the back guitar, its Paul´s Bass

[@kuhnhan]

Easily one of the best Beatles songs. The White Album has some of the finest work from this band, but also has some real subpar stuff on it as well.

[@jasonbrandt5504]

Yup. One of the best. Ever. It’s ranks as one of the best Beatles tracks for sure.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Justin! Check-out the RRHOF version tribute to George. Prince does the guitar solo that will absolutely blow you away!!🎸🎸🎸😎

[@raeann63]

i'm one of those weirdos that prefer the beatles members solo work more than the original band's. i always forget this was not a george solo song - it sounds so not beatles lol. i always loved how george's songs had a melancholy tinge. i'm also kinda surprised you'd not heard this before, jp. it's been used and covered so much though none can touch the original.

[@HippoYnYrEira]

CBA listenin to this in full as the arrogant blockin puts up the barriers - but I watched Prince play it live . he's cough, the bomb. sleeping / sweeping eh? hold my beer . I got my eyes set on u. x2. But it's gonna take time...patience & time and a whole lotta money...Oh Boy. U2 . Can U Dig... The Mock Turtles JP. ? it? is walkin on the moon with enough grrrit to survive b4 u choose d Train! here now Alternatively: karma karma karma karma karma chameleon the G Boys live1983 Oh Mama. The O'Jays - Rode "the Love Train" Prince "Lived 4 Love" 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 cue diamonds & pearLs - He a Blocker 2. Randy Crawford 's "Hoping Love will LasT" JP & Stevie Hackett's goT her bacK but StOrnOway win the prize today with The Ones we HurT the most. Tim Wheeler's Love has Worn off. Made me panic. Panic Street Preacher. Motorcycle Emptiness - shirley a Contender sprintin in the final furlong. ? It's the Final Furlong - Asia (Alternative Reality Mix) I'm Off Ta tata :>)

[@MP-TheNewGuy]

I recommend dropping everything and do a reaction to the RRHOF's tribute to George with Prince peforming the guitar solo. Absolutely amazing version of one of George's greatest songs.

[@jfergs.3302]

Good Idea... How Prince has never appeard on this channel I just do not know.

[@billbitterman9487]

Yes, Prince’s solo is great but I still prefer Clapton’s…by a lot. I feel Clapton’s complements (serves the song) in a way that Prince’s doesn’t. I’m not trying to say anything negative about Prince’s playing, it’s truly great, I just prefer the original

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

I look at you all, as I lay here suffering. While my spine gently weeps. Too much tree clean-up yesterday, still my poor back gently weeps! I prefer Harrison to Lennon/McCartney. With all their gifts, they still acted like creeps.While George was a gentleman, and tried to keep the peace.But alas, like history, "All Things Must Come to Pass"! Do not be a "Dark Horse" and please play "Something" more. Possibly you can earn a sports "Badge", and spin a little tune he helped 'pen', with Cheech & Chong, called "Basketball Jones"! But I Know "Day After Day", "It Don't Come Easy"! "Living In the Material World", I send Peace & Love.

[@jaybird4093]

By the time I became familiar with this album (mid ‘80’s), I tired of American classic rock radio. My feelings for this song have nothing to do with it’s quality (it’s a good song) and everything to do with the over overplaying of the track and over-imitation of the chord progression and style by the time I became familiar with it. I am a sucker for countermelody and I do love the contrasting melody in the drop-tune guitar especially as the song progresses 1:44 (2:30 of the actual song).

[@jaybird4093]

I feel the same way about Come Together, great song but overexposed to death (and that was in the 80’s!)

[@MisterWondrous]

Ginger Baker (or Turmeric Boiler) played banjo or Sousaphone on this song. Something like that. A favorite, regardless, thanks. Heading over...

[@izzonj]

Yeah, when your bandmates aren't supporting you, it's nice to have a buddy like Eric Clapton. Unfortunately, EC later took George's wife away from him.

[@jfergs.3302]

the beatles! it's not just his guitar that's weeping, i can tell you..... Oh, i'm such a card 🙂

[@Drummingvulture]

The best thing George Harrison ever wrote, bar none. You might want to check out the live video of Jeff Lynne, Prince, Steve Winwood, Tom Petty, George's son, Dhani and others doing this song at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. One of Prince's finest moments in his long, distinguished career. Where did his guitar go?

[@billbitterman9487]

Frank Sinatra once said Something is one of the greatest songs ever written. You also shouldn’t overlook Here Comes The Sun. IMO, I’d put either of those other two right there with While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

[@dannylgriffin]

I bet the security guy that held Prince laying backward caught it. Pretty sure that was all pre-planned. :) But it was great.

[@Drummingvulture]

@@CAdams6398 That's the beauty of music, it affects each of us in our own, unique way.

[@Drummingvulture]

@@billbitterman9487 Music is so subjective, eh? But who am I to argue with Ol' Blue Eyes? LOL!

[@Drummingvulture]

@@dannylgriffin I watched the director's cut. It shows that exact guy catching it. It probably was planned. But it just gave the whole thing a cool Prince moment. He definitely stole the show, and that was the exclamation point at the end. It also made Prince's nonchalant walk-off seem so damn bad ass.

[@sulaimanaldousari9859]

You have to listen to the Rock&roll hall of fame tribute version with the now legendary Prince killer 3 minutes guitar solo That version gave justice to the original

[@JoanneTelling1]

Lennon's finest moment....?

[@pentagrammaton6793]

A classic on a very mixed and painfully long album, nothing more to be said really.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@CAdams6398 or somewhere else, lol

[@josephchisholm2654]

Now that you've heard this, Phish's 10/31/94 performance might be a way into that band. They did the whole album!

[@SpaceCattttt]

Sure, it's a good song. I've never been a fan of Harrison's tendency to guilt-trip his audiences into agreeing with his religious worldview, but the song itself is undeniably well-constructed and can be interpreted in any number of ways. Almost better than the song itself is Clapton's guitar solo. It's so simple, and yet he's never played anything remotely like it since. It's a unique composition unto itself, and it compliments the rest of the song perfectly. - Very hard to do. And please, for the love of (Harrison's) god, DON'T react to the Prince version!!! It's the most overrated piece of trash of all time.

[@24583110]

Hey JP you are so right when you said the chugging of the guitar sounds like a heavy rock sound, Check out the song from Led zepplin called, Babe iam gonna leave you, around 2 min 20 sec, you can hear that sound you mention perfectly... glad I found it..... take care.