Beatles History - Did George Harrison Write This Solo OR JUST PLAY IT?

[@rondo1775]

At my age (77) I desperately try not to think anymore. Instead, I just listen to their songs and enjoy them all over again. The Beatles were not only the best, they still are the best.

[@rocktober1327]

@rondo1775 Semper Fi Devil Dog.

[@rondo1775]

@@rocktober1327 oorah

[@larryfreda5208]

I agree. I’m so tired of subjects like “ Why did the Beatles break up “ or “ Which album is their best “. In 2024 none of that matters. All that does matter is that they made the greatest music of all time and that all ages still love it.

[@codetech5598]

Paul admits that George came up with the opening 4 notes of "And I Love Her" on the spot and that that intro "made the song".

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Absolutely true

[@FlipDahlenburg]

Relevance?

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@@FlipDahlenburg It’s an example of extemporaneous creation of a guitar fill by George in the studio

[@Dex619]

@@the_guitar_trooper Well it’s only 4 notes and can hardly compare in difficulty to Til…

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@@Dex619 fair enough.

[@bobtausworthe]

I love how quickly people say it must be Paul. Paul and George were roughly the same age and technical ability on guitar at the time. In fact, both Paul and John agree that George was a better technical guitarist which is why he played lead. Don't sell him short. the fact that it included chords and not just fingering points to George who loved that style and used it on several other songs. It was part of his love for Chet Atkins.

[@joelthornhill8300]

Seek Mike Pachelli on this. He is a highly skilled accomplished and session guitarist who has numerous Beatles how to play videos and credits George with this solo. His research never mentions Paul when giving a detailed account of who developed that particular solo. He gave the whole credit to George. And I agree with him on his knowledge of Beatles arrangements

[@victorarena23]

paul didn't have the guitar prowess at this point in his developement. Could he and George have come up with the melody? maybe. also just remember George wrote the I saw her standing there solo

[@sappo504]

He likely assumes George wrote it because George is the lead guitarist and he played it - and played it well. Who knows, maybe George did write it or got some help or inspiration for it somewhere. But it does seem a lot more melodic than anything else he was doing, and I can see Paul sitting down to put it together - less so George. Truth is they were all so talented it could have been input from Paul and John, who knows.

[@gonzorhernando5265]

Watch Ably House on George Harrison’s progression on perfecting his solos on Till There Was You. No mention of Paul in them …at all. George is a guitar god even at a young age. Thank you. ❤

[@Dex619]

@@gonzorhernando5265George is hardly a guitar god. He was a clumsy guitarist in the early days and took up a lot of studio time stumbling through his solos.

[@frankwalton7323]

​@@victorarena23The I Saw Her Standing solo is pretty basic rock and roll stuff, nowhere near the craft of Till There Was You. I think George struggled with solos and the other two fed him ideas right in the studio. Some evidence of this survives in their recording session outtakes.

[@shuroom57]

I think it was a guitar player either on the grassy knoll or the triple underpass. And look! It is Friday, November 22, 2024! Sixty-one years later and we are still talking about it.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

HA!!

[@davidclaycomb5496]

You might be on to something! If you watch the original Zapruder film, it’s quite possible. It lends credence to the ‘Magic Guitar’ theory.

[@royzug2847]

An interesting hypothesis. I don't really have an form opinion as to who wrote the solo, but George certainly performed it admirably. Based on this, certainly not backed by any data, I'm going to continue to credit it to George. I think he was more talented, even at a young age, than we realized.

[@MoneyCrespin]

I concur!

[@flankerroad7414]

For sure....it isn't a complex solo but it fits the song beautifully and is professionally executed. Its George's work, despite what the Paul Is All crew say.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

Honestly I don't care whether George wrote it or not. He played it beautifully and I'll always love hearing it.😍🎸 He was 1/4 of what made up the best band ever, and his contributions are equally as important as the other 3.

[@Burnsomatic]

Somebody needs to ask Paul McCartney this question. He should know.

[@dougrigel1997]

Yes Paul most definitely would know.

[@mikeeby8520]

Paul would say yes he wrote the solo, yes he wrote the song, yes he invented the F#9add9 chord, he he invented the genre of show tunes, yes……

[@mikeeby8520]

Paul would say yes he wrote the solo, yes he wrote the song, yes he invented the F#7add9 chord, he he invented the genre of show tunes, yes……

[@chrisnolan5607]

Paul has been gone since September of 1966. We just have Billy Sheperd (Paul #2) reinventing Beatle history.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

@@chrisnolan5607 Grow up.

[@stephenagosto6198]

When watching him play it on The Ed Sullivan Show, he appears a little cocky, as if he's showing off and saying "ok, watch what I can do." If you listen to him play "Cry For A Shadow," he leaves no doubt as to his technical prowess. I have no doubt that he wrote the solo. His solos were mature, restrained and often understated. For him, less was more,

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the post!

[@cpguitars1]

I think you are correct. I recall seeing a video of the Beatles in which George played the solo, and at the end, he looked over to Paul for approval.

[@gonzorhernando5265]

@@cpguitars1 …or… he was showing Paul how he perfected it… like: Beat That!!! 🤗😘🥰

[@cpguitars1]

@@gonzorhernando5265 Could be Gonzo.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

Good take on this and thinking it was written by Paul (solo), allow me like to counter: to begin with, the solo starts with two notes which lead up to the main part of the solo when George takes off, it’s reminiscent of his solo on All my loving for which he also uses four notes as a sort of intro and then goes off into the main part of the solo which brings me to my second point- the solo on Til There Was You uses both solo note phrasings mixed in with some chords thrown in and work in juxtaposition with each other. The solo for All My Loving uses this same exact method of sewing solo note leads along with chords to counterpoint each other and both end with the same solo note re-intro onto the verses. Now Paul McCartney has said many times that the solo for All My Loving was written by George, this was during his Chet Atkins phase so both solos do show some of this and i would argue that both show George’s ability to take on an influence, channel it and make something of his own. Lastly the Til There Was You solo is a bit too busy for McCartney’s style. If you listen to the solos he did play (ticket to ride, taxman, helter skelter) they all have one thing in common- they all use single notes rather than chords. I would have believed George Martin showed Harrison how to do the solo but since they were playing this before Martin, this is unlikely. Anyway, this is just my opinion but i welcome anyone to challenge my theory with theirs.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks a MILLION for the view and insightful comment!

[@gonzorhernando5265]

@@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020 …well said!!!

[@FlipDahlenburg]

'Pickup notes' don't prove anything.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

@ Maybe not. Paul said that when he was playing guitar along with John and George, he tried to do a solo and it didn’t come out good, which is to say it was bad. He was so embarrassed that he decided right there and then to leave all solos up to George. This remained unchanged until the Help LP when he re-attempted to do guitar solos that ended up on record. Do you honestly think that someone who wasn’t good at guitar solos at that point with the band would create this fantastic, well written type of solo?

[@paulsantamaria2605]

Actually, though I agree that George MAY not have "written" the solo (not saying he didn't) I think that it was most likely George Martin who coached George. The second bar is a really interested diminished chord "deconstructed" into a single-note melody ( I can play it as a chord, which requires a 7-fret stretch) that then does a descending minor scale. VERY classical, NOT Jazz. VERY cool, and with George M's piano-cum-Harpsichord solo in "In My Life" as a guide, you can see the breadth of his knowledge and since he was their producer then it seems logical he would've known that they needed something chordally/melodically non-dissimilar to the source material. The fact that George H executed the solo identically each time whether acoustically or electrically says to me that he could not extrapolate on the solo and had to play it the same way as he didn't know how to expand on it at that age - but that isn't proof either as McCartney performs his old Beatle songs these days exactly as they were released because he's smart enough to know that people fell in love with the songs, so give 'em what they know, not Jazzed up. It's just damn fun to know we are talking about these intricacies exactly 60 years later and probably these conversations will go on for hundreds of years, a la Mozart. I doubt anyone will be analyzing "Satisfaction" this way. For a really interesting look at chords, check out "Alone Again Naturally" by Gilbert O'Sullivan - a bitch to play as a true fingerstyle piece...and he wrote every note. Guy's an almost McCartney level songwriter.

[@Glicksman1]

That's all very well, but George was playing that solo before the Beatles started to work with Mr. Martin. Someone surely taught it to him, we just don't know who.

[@Music_is_Breathing]

I love George, and he did a beautiful job on this song, but I think Paul wrote it. I just watched a short of this song concentrating on George's solo. It is an electric version. Paul sang a few lines then George went into the solo. The screams started as George's fingers tripped effortlessly over the strings, and George gave a sly little smile, as if he was thinking: "You didn't think I could play this well, did you?". I still think Paul initially wrote it, but George made it his own, very possibly adding his own flourishes the more he played the song.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Listen to the one that they did for the BBC.

[@Music_is_Breathing]

@@the_guitar_trooper I found one that was recorded at the Royal Hall, but the short I found was better, George was really on top of his game in that one. I can't find it again 😕

[@elantric]

​@@Music_is_Breathingkzbin.infoKhJkH2YC2lY?si=AEW2UxovHkNsnsXx

[@riffrobin474]

To the comment above asking who played the Flamenco part before Bungalow bill I saw an interview with Giles Martin when they were reissuing the white album. The guitar sequence was part of a mellotron patch you simply press the key on the mellotron and it plays the guitar part. So when they were redoing the White Album Giles got McCartney to re-record the patch because he still has the actual mellotron. I always wondered about that myself and somewhere on KZbin is that interview.

[@flankerroad7414]

True story about the mellotron patch...I have the name of the guitarist here someplace.

[@JohnPalubski]

Totally plausible. As a musician, Paul was miles ahead of the others. I’m sure there are plenty more instances where Paul “suggested” ideas that the others adopted because when you’re in a band, the best ideas win out but the credit for them is often blurred or quickly forgotten or misappropriated. Bless George but he couldn’t improvise outside of the 1,4,5 at that time which is probably why he played the solo the same way every time. Other guitarists would likely keep developing the idea.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and your thoughts!

[@mikeohara5421]

I have often wondered where or how George learned this because its unlike anything else he came up with in that time period. I had assumed there was another version of the song where a jazz guitarist did but ive not been able to find it. The chordche ends the solo on is, i think, an F#7 +9 which is the same chord form Paul has mentioned using in Michelle and which was taught to Paul and George by Jim Getty who worked at one of the main guitar strores in Liverpool and apparently was an accomplished jazz guitarist. In my opinion, a more plausible thoeory than the Paul theory is that Jim Getty came up with it when showing or helpg Paul and George with the chord changes which, after all, was probaly the most comllex song theyvdud in that period and had diminished chords and some quick changes. I dont think they had dimished chords in anything else during that period.

[@gonzorhernando5265]

@@mikeohara5421 Peggy Lee’s guitarist version…

[@FlipDahlenburg]

They used passing chords pretty often, diminished and augmented.

[@guarddave]

One of your best efforts, if not the best. For sure, this is your best "food for thought" video. My gut tells me that the guitar break style was Paul's idea, but it was a collaboration with George. George's versatlity shows between what he does on this song vs. "All My Loving"...two totally different styles. None of the boys knew just how good they were. I truly believe that.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hi Dave! Thanks as always for your support!

[@bimwopbarn47]

it's an intriguing question and hypothesis. I'm leaning toward the idea that George wrote it because he totally "owns" the solo and seems to take great pleasure in it

[@Maltloaflegrande]

Oh here we go again. It's "Paul was the master musician and told everyone else what to do and if it's got a good melody it's got to be Paul" part 8253. a. George played this solo perfectly on stage at the Royal Variety Performance. b. He not only played, but devised the guitar hooks on "And I love her" a song written by McCartney. c. Paul didn't start inching in on the guitar work until the "Help!" album. Listen to his guitar work on Beatles cuts from then on, and it's pretty scrappy; good in its own way, but McCartney was technically the most limited guitarist out of the three of them. d. George's early songs and guitar work in general are more than testament enough to his melodic sensibilities. Paul didn't tell George how to play any more than he told Ringo or John. They were a very strong collective.

[@flankerroad7414]

By the mid to late 60's George was well ahead of Paul on guitar....Paul could never have played the guitar on Here Comes the Sun...that requires a finesse that Paul simply lacks. The solo on TTWY was well within George's reach as the originator......

[@eduardolapatorres1610]

That Was a pure solo criated by George, only him could do that so Nice and perfectly .

[@catherinewilson3880]

Lol, no he wasn't. McCartney played 20 Flight Rock on an upside-down right-hand guitar when he was 15. The performance impressed Lennon so much it got Macca into his band. McCartney is also an accomplished acoustic guitarist. I personally don't believe that Paul composed the solo in 'Til there was you, but please do not sell him short as a musician.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

@catherinewilson3880 I can see why you think I'm selling him short as a musician, but that certainly wasn't the intention. By pointing out his technical limitations as a guitarist, I'm more attempting to counteract the (incorrect in my opinion) mentality pushed elsewhere that not only was he an iconic bassist (true), the best piano player in the Beatles (true), handy on several other instruments (true), a great singer (true), a fine composer (true), but also better on guitar than either Harrison or Lennon. What's good about McCartney's guitar playing is that it was different from the other two; his solo on "Taxman" is perfect for instance, but not at all demanding technically and the same could be said for his beautiful chord work on "Here there and everywhere". But he, by his own admission, can't fingerpick whereas both Harrison and Lennon had their own very different fingerpicking skills and Lennon's right hand technique also, was very precise. I think that many people get the Fabs mixed up with Wings which was Paul's own band and where he could rule the roost and commandeer the guitar playing if he chose to. What is often overlooked about the man, possibly because his quality control in that area is pretty poor is the fact that when the mood is upon him, McCartney is also an inspirational lyricist.

[@braemtes23]

@@Maltloaflegrande And yet, George was having trouble mastering the guitar part for Taxman, so Paul took over.

[@franklally6739]

In any band the lead guitarist is the man to take a song to a new level. In The Beatles George was the better guitarist and contributed massively to the majority of Lennon and McCartney numbers. Moving on George penned songs of such quality in his own right . He was a very unselfish musician and loved to involve other artists on his concerts and recordings. He has left behind a great legacy of music that will be loved and appreciated by millions for years to come. He liked the fun of music and loved the Ukulele. The coming together of The Travelling Wilburys is another stage of fun progression and enormous talented musicians that were honoured to play and record alongside George. I suggest you listen to more of George's great work and cease to live in a land of urban myth. Also if Paul initiated this beautiful solo he would definitely have mentioned it over the years.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and detailed comment, Frank!

[@tommaloney3938]

I'm 72 and have been a Beatles fan and a musician from the beginning. I wish I could remember where I read it but I read that they had heard Peggy Lee's version but George lifted the solo from jazz acoustic guitarist Charlie Byrd.all of the Beatles new other styles other than just R&R.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

Interesting idea, but in doing a search for Charlie Byrd Till There Was You, nothing comes up on Google or KZbin.

[@stephenstickney1125]

HI Guitar Trooper, The Beatles version of 'til there was you" is based on Peggy Lee's recording from the early sixties which many or most Beatle fans already know. There were no guitars on this recording, but George obviously transposed the wind fills and solos, by ear. I hope this helps....

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks a MILLION for participating! Yep. As mentioned in the video, there is good evidence to support that Paul was inspired by Peggy Lee’s version. But the woodwind fills inside the verses are really the only portion of it that is mimicked in the Beatles arrangement. The solo itself or even a portion of it isn’t represented there as far as I can tell.

[@linda1915]

I have to use closed captioning on all videos due to failing hearing and the ads are interfering with the captions. Sorry and thank you for the songs.

[@chrissherri1614]

What I do know is that Paul himself said that George came uo with the riff and lead guitar on "And I Love Her". Paul wote the song but made it clear that George wrote the leads. However, Paul himself was an excellent guitarist as evidenced by his solo works like the acoustic "I Will" a playing all guitars and mimicking the bass with t=his mouth and also the original studio version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" playing every instrument including that lead electric.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Yes to all of that! George did indeed come up with the iconic 4-note hook in the studio for “And I Love Her” and Paul contributed way more guitar to the recordings than many folks realize.

[@cmorales932]

For point of reference ; George was more than willing and able to play a beautifully complex and melodic solo; witness the BBC version of Buddy Holly’s “Crying ,Waiting ,Hoping”. In that song he had transcribed the solo from The Fireballs version of Buddy Holly’s song.

[@brucetowell3432]

Interesting discussion, and one I've always thought about for the same reasons you have discussed here. It's an 8 bar solo you would expect a trained jazz guitarist to pull off. Well Macca is still around, who has the contacts to ask him? thanks again for this discussion!!

[@ChuckEWeiss-fk6vr]

I will agree with you that this solo does not echo George’s style at that time. He played more of a “rockabilly” style in the early days, but I would not discount the chance that he also harbored a melodic feel. For example the 3 note acoustic riff throughout “And I Love Her” which Paul has claimed: “made the song”.

[@JoeM390]

Listen to George's lead guitar work on CRY FOR A SHADOW in 1963. Not too shabby! Only song credited to Lennon-Harrison.

[@rocktober1327]

@joem390 On my LP in the Beginning the Beatles Featuring Tony Sheridan the credits are Harrison, McCartney, Lennon

[@anderskihlberg]

Thank's Guitar Trooper, it's always interesting to look at your videos. From Sweden with Love.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Glad you like them! Please share for me!!

[@rolandskilton7410]

They would have worked on it together more than likely with John and GM close by putting in there tuppence halfpenny’s worth in. Even Bingo acknowledging his pennys worth too. The Beatles were excellent at listening to one another and all doing what is best for the song.As this was a cover it would have been easier for them to collaborate with.This of course was the Golden Key to there ultimate success.No Egos ! Just 4 Good Pals working together in what is undoubtedly one or if not The Best Band ever Formed.How lucky are we all . Great video xx Have a Fab Christmas All !

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and the comment!

[@kennethswain6313]

Your opinion is good enough for me. I can believe George heard it , practiced it and it became his w/ the blessing of Paul thanks

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cmorales932]

Perhaps Paul was involved. But George often came up with beautifully structured solos which perfectly suit the song , I.e, “Long Tall Sally”, “Kansas City”).

[@stankolin7657]

I have just one suggestion, and that is that the final chord of the solo, being neither true major nor minor, is typical of George's guitar work. I don't know if it's a sixth, a ninth, an eleventh, or some other variation, but it doesn't sound like a common seventh.

[@jamesthompson316]

Just another dig at George imo and I’ve read plenty over the years, George doesn’t seem to fit into a lot of people’s idea of a ‘great lead guitarist’ but he happens to be my personal favourite and for me the Beatles music would be much the poorer without his contributions, like Ringo who gets similar criticisms yet is unique and integral to being as it were ‘one sum of its parts’….and let’s face it those 4 parts add up to something very special in the musical world.

[@flankerroad7414]

So true...YT is replete with what I call the Paul Is All crew who voice absurdities like 'Paul was the beatles' or that 'Paul WAS the best musician in the group' and on and on. Its unfortunate as that diminishes the others.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hi James! This piece is indeed opinion, but it came about based upon my personal observation that the solo was not like others he did during the period, and that Paul was the arranger of the piece for the group. I just couldn’t see Paul McCartney going through creating an arrangement and then taking the avant garde step of ignoring the structure of the solo break. It just doesn’t fit my image of Macaa.

[@gonzorhernando5265]

@@jamesthompson316 well said.. I can say no more!!! 🤗

[@toms6756]

I'm thinking it belongs to George after watching the special with Carl Perkins that included Clapton. It was apparent that there was more to George and his style of playing at that time. I love the solo in Til There was You - I wish he would have done more in that style.

[@chuckyoneill9029]

I think your right because i seen an interview with Paul stating that if it was a song he wrote or was working he had the say for the whole arrangement but the others still had input and thanks.

[@bobwoolerOriGinal]

From 67' that probably was true. Not in 63.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Certainly plausible! This is one of your best videos!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Wow, thanks!

[@salparadise8581]

Mccartney wrote another jazz inspired instrumental Catswalk which has a sophisticated melody and guitar lines which kinda supports this. Also he referenced a jazz guitar player who demonstrated the sharp 9 chord later used in Michelle....I think the guitar player was called jim gretty although the spelling is questionable!

[@gonzorhernando5265]

@@salparadise8581 George Martin wrote and arranged the solo on Michelle and showed George how to play it. GH perfected it with his “signature triads” along the lines of the melody!!!

[@jotcarey]

So now that the consensus has finally shifted from "Ringo was a terrible drummer!" to "Ringo was a great drummer!," we turn to questioning George's talent. (Kidding.) FWIW, George, like the rest of the band, was self-taught. But when they were all asked at an early press conference, "Which of you is the best musician?," John, Paul, and Ringo instantly pointed to George, who simply smiled. All of them listened to many of the same records and worked out how to play the songs by ear. George probably also spent time with guitar instruction books (the UK equivalent to Mel Bay books would have been Bert Weedon's). He appears to have known more-complex chords than the others (as in the final chords of the solo being discussed). With respect to soloing, Paul and John were focused on songwriting above all. It makes sense that George would have spent his spare time working on his playing. And he was a big fan of the guitarist Chet Atkins (and wrote the liner notes for the album "Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles"), who might well have been his inspiration for intricate solos such as the TTWY solo.

[@codetech5598]

George took guitar lessons above the fish shop.

[@FlipDahlenburg]

@@codetech5598 In the beginning, he floundered a bit. Considered switching to bass. Decided to mullet over.

[@codetech5598]

@@FlipDahlenburg Holy mackerel!

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

Before clicking I thought this video could be about Michelle. George M played that solo on piano, out of range of the mic and George H played along for the recording.

[@dino_j]

I always loved the song, but I agree the solo sounds quite different than any other thing George played on during those early years. I like your theory, but I also think it's possible that Paul worked up a melody for a solo, presented it to George, and he embellished it. Some wonderful little licks in there that perhaps George had memorized from some other latin songs. The wide variety of music these guys learned playing the clubs would have incorporated this style.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Nice post! Thanks for the input!

[@sapelesteve]

More than likely it was probably a give and take between Paul & George. If you want to know for sure, just ask Paul! 👍👍🎸🎸

[@HaldaneSmith]

The fact that Paul was a guitarist for the Beatles in 1961 and the melody make a pretty convincing case. If he was playing guitar at the time it makes just as much sense that he would write the solo as George.

[@almanuel6140]

at the point they recorded this track george no doubt had the chops to perform such a great solo but it obvious he was still maturing in regard to creating music on his own...still, he was impressive for being 18...at 18 i was mastering a belt grinder...

[@ibji]

Why did you do this to me? I had things to do today, but nooooo, you gotta put out this video and make me have to learn this.

[@johnwilson7809]

The song has been out since 1963 (the Beatle version). What has taken you so long to learn it?

[@ibji]

@@johnwilson7809 This always fell in the category of "I'll get around to it one of these days", but the video just pushed the motivation level way up.

[@Jerry_Fried]

If we reframe the question as “Did Glenn Gould write the Goldberg Variations or did he just play them,” we realize how silly the question is. Of course, we know who wrote Goldberg and we don’t know who wrote the guitar part, but that’s irrelevant. All that counts is how beautifully it’s played. If both McCartney and Harrison claimed authorship, then who wrote it would be relevant, but since neither has claimed credit, to my knowledge, the question has no meaning except as a speculative curiosity. We may as well speculate that Lennon wrote it.

[@jim-y8h6u]

Pretty reasonable hypothesis. We'll probably never really know. I don't put it outside of George's bag of tricks on the guitar, but Paul certainly has the ability as well. It took all four of those guys to make that record what it is. In Wings, Paul could be very specific about what he wanted from the lead player. In 1969 one point of contention between Paul and George was George wanting to play a solo and Paul wanting to direct the solo. I always enjoyed the interplay between George and John's guitars on this instrumental break. John's playing is integral to George's/Paul's solo. Did Paul arrange that as well? I doubt if it's 100% Paul, but I don't know. Maybe. Interesting topic. You'd be hard pressed to find another rock and roll group that could have made this record.

[@billiswillis8293]

1:41 "and he played exactly the same way every time that I have heard it on a recording, regardless of whether it was live or in a studio." Oh boy...

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Oh boy!

[@tovarisch2788]

My big question about that solo is whether the big, six-string full chord near the end has a #4 (or b5) in it. Or is it just a 7#9 chord? I hear it both ways, at different times.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

The very last chord is a major 7

[@tovarisch2788]

@the_guitar_trooper I meant in the guitar solo

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@ oh. And oops

[@DanielMoreno-r1w]

Paul tried to play guitar solos in the early days but failed ...George was very detail oriented and more versatile with his long skinny fingeres therefore I do believe that George wrote it

[@LivingstonWard]

I find the idea that McCartney wrote this solo very plausible. He had such a gift for melody (think about the piccolo trumpet solo for Penny Lane that he wrote). I have heard that in the early days, George Martin would sometimes play the notes that he wanted Harrison to play on the piano, and he learned some of his solos that way. Of course, it didn’t take long for (a still very young) George Harrison to start creating amazing solos without any help.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

And he actually HUMMED what he wanted to James Mason, including the double-octave end note! No score for that.

[@epii1073]

You said that George played this solo the same way in every live performance. I agree, however the way he played it live is a little different rhythmically than how he played it on the album. Especially in the first few notes in his live version where he (I think) plays quarter notes as opposed to the (I think) eighth notes on the album. I can't read music so don't quote me on the that. I do however play Beatle songs by ear on guitar, bass, and piano with note-for-note accuracy (or try to anyway) and I must say I'm damn good at it. But at any rate, George kind of jazz's up this solo when they played it live, unless there are one or more live videos or audios out there that have escaped me, where he sticks to the album's version of the solo. You might very well be right that Paul wrote this solo. There is also an argument to be made that George came up with it. The reason I say that is because right before the last few notes of the solo leading up to the bridge, George employs a very "un-Beatle-y" wide spaced chord on the guitar, like a "raised 9" or some variation thereof that his long fingers grips with ease. And when considering that Paul once remarked that the "ma belle" chord in "Michelle" (being a "raised 9" jazz chord) was shown to him by someone he had met in a guitar store, the mystery deepens. If that's the case, then Paul, I'm sure, would surely have excitedly shown George this new "strange" chord he had just learned (strange for a Beatle chord that is). Unless of course George already knew the chord... we'll never know. The other thing I read eons ago, I'm 67, is that Paul when asked about his favorite songs of all time, remarked that "Till There Was You" was the "perfect" song in his opinion. I think the interview was done when The Beatles were in full force but I'm not too sure. He was right though, it is indeed a perfect song... which of course means that he himself could have written it and I'm sure he wished that he had. Back in the day Paul also said that he was a big Peggy Lee fan. Anyhow, thanks for the great video focusing on this fantastic and timeless guitar solo. You are likely the only human in all of human history to have done so. So kudos to you because by "George" it deserves it! Beatles-4-Ever!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks SO VERY MUCH for your expansive comment and the kind words! Please help me to spread the love 💕 by sharing the videos!!!

[@mr.milehi9883]

Video killed the radio Star. Best known recording is by THE BUGGLES. The first recording of that song was sort of a punkish new wave style version for formed by BRUCE WOODLEY AND THE CAMERA CLUB. The song writers Trevor Horn and Jeff Downs performed on both versions! Thomas Dolby also plays keyboard on the roof Woodley version. It's really different. Check it out.

[@zacharyspencer8321]

An interesting and compelling hypothesis. It's odd how George's skills were somewhat rudimentary at that time (heck, only half the tracks on their first album had a guitar solo!). But we do know that George wasn't really an improviser, usually working out guitar parts meticulously. George DID some minor appoggiaturas, even using the whammy bar for one live recording. And Paul WAS the musical genius of the group, playing guitar, piano, drums, and eventually bass as early as 1961.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for your view and comment Zachary!

[@gretschviking]

I can’t recall where I read or heard this, and I’m not saying it’s true, but, the arrangement and guitar solo are based on an instrumental version by whomever which came out around 1959-61. Again, no idea if it’s true.

[@tpatrick44]

I have to agree that Paul wrote it. It fits his melodic style…especially since Paul was the arranger on the Song. George did a perfect job replicating it! 👏👏👏 Either way, it was a wonderful addition in the Movie “A Hard Days Night,” showing the range and talent of the early Beatles. “Tell Me Why” still gets to me with their Harmonies!!! Grateful I was around to see and hear them from the beginning of their USA 🇺🇸 journey. Our Country needed a pick me up after the JFK Assassination. 61 years ago today…a Friday as well. I was 11. Thanks GT! I enjoy ALL of your content! 👏👏👏

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hi Tim! Thanks for the comment!

[@observatoriogeral9456]

George Harrison tirava sons muito mais delicados e bonitos de uma guitarra do que o Paul, por isso foi o guitarrista solo e principal dos Beatles

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for watching!

[@billiswillis8293]

"por isso foi o guitarrista solo e principal dos Beatles" Georgie era bastante inepto. A principal razão pela qual John aceitou Georgie em 1958 foi porque Paul protegia Georgie e John estava apaixonado por Paul.

[@MackAxyzz]

i agree and always thought this solo seemed quite a bit advanced for george during this early time period

[@michaelterrones4642]

It matters not to me. Bottom line is George played it beautifully.

[@mcarp555]

I think concepts like "arranger" and "wrote" are _very_ over the top in cases like this. Certainly Paul would have brought the song to the group; it's also plausible that they may have listened to the Peggy Lee version (with no real solo to speak of). Then J,P & G would have worked out how to play it _together._ The fact Ringo switched from drums to bongos show that he didn't have a preset arrangement. And it's entirely possible that bongos was George Martin's idea. As for the solo itself, I would point to _All My Loving_ as an example of a solo nobody seems to dispute George creating (not "writing" as that would suggest notation). If he could do that, he could also have done _Till There Was You._ Perhaps Paul "helped" smooth it out, perhaps John joined in. But even that wouldn't have been unusual, suggesting the odd phrase or riff here and there. I think like _Cry For A Shadow,_ the idea of "writing" a solo is something the Beatles simply didn't do.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Good points all around! Thanks for the view and comment!

[@codetech5598]

Keep in mind that George did take guitar lessons when younger, and had access to teachers etc even after he became a Beatle.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Pish posh semantics. They Beatles did not use notation but to say that “ creating” a solo note for note in their minds was not writing is a diservice to their creativity.

[@mcarp555]

@@kingslaphappy1533 The point is that calling it "writing" conveys the idea that George (or Paul) sat down and worked it out, possibly note by note. I've written solos that way, but I can read notation. Almost any footage of any of the Fabs shows them creating solos or chord changes more or less spontaneously, which is almost the complete opposite of "writing". George came up with the four-note lick that defines _And I Love Her,_ and according to Paul, did so on the spot. Did he "write" it? The word conveys a formalism that as you say, is a disservice to their creative genius.

[@oojudg3oo]

McCartney probably got the chords from sheet music. It could have been piano, along with a guitar chord book. He shows the other 2 the chords. As long as they have the chords, they/PC can arrange it any Way they want..with all 3 agree upon. With those chords, MC and GH with some input of JL, could have easily worked that solo out together. They could have even had a Music Theory book laying around. You don't have to actually Read music to use it. You can get the notes from the Staff. PM. I think GH had enough quality by then to figure a lot of that solo out. All 3 scratching along at those chords. That's what I think. A solo right out of those chords. We've all seen them working together in Let It Be and other stuff. Audio...they all come up with ideas after one of them comes up with a dominant idea. And then comes all 3 on the input. That's my opinion... that's what I think. It's an interesting song structure. Even JL would fing it interesting on the guitar.

[@monovision566]

Your theory makes way more sense than the common belief that George-who in that period could scarcely manage a rock/blues solo-somehow came up with a good jazz solo. The song has always had a bizarre distinction in that regard. I’m a guitarist myself and don’t personally rate much of George’s playing as genuinely great until about the White Album. His early work is often the weak link in the group, and he played few solos in the middle period.

[@renatomantovani6871]

The guitar solo on "I'm down" was the first guitar solo that blows my mind, when I was five or six ears old, and still blows (before Hendrix and Santana). I think George kills in it. That vibrato......

[@gonzorhernando5265]

George didn’t write it… He perfected it!!! ❤

[@gonzorhernando5265]

I don’t know what this guy is talking about… the song specially the solo reeked of George’s signature triad. Paul’s electric guitar is usually erratic… involves only two strings ensemble at the same time/beat. “Till there was you” wasn’t written by Paul nor George. It’s a possibility that Paul might have just arranged how he wants it to jive with his vocals but it was George’s virtuosity on guitar that signed and delivered it to perfection!!! Loving my George…!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I have nothing more to say! 🤷🏻‍♂️🤗😘 …🤘and ☮️ 💕

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Well said

[@Dex619]

@@gonzorhernando5265George was hardly a virtuoso.

[@mr.milehi9883]

I might have dropped you this comment already. If so. Excuse me for repeating it. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart? All those smash Hits from the Monkees riders of songs also: COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, HURTS SO BAD, , I WONDER WHAT SHE'S DOING TONIGHT They are both co-riders of the longest running television theme in US history. 60 years! 1964. They were co-riders of the soap opera theme song DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The producers of the show are originally asked them to compose a song that sounded a little like SUNRISE, SUNSET FROM THE BROADWAY PLAY FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!

[@charlesvachon5838]

Let's ask Paul.

[@johnwilson7809]

Go ahead. Then tell us what he says. LOL

[@charlesvachon5838]

@@johnwilson7809 Funny You should ask!

[@johnyarusso4953]

As a guitarist and Beatles fan I think Paul may have guided George in the first 2 bars but not with the jazz chords in the second half of the solo. George had a better chord vocabulary on guitar than Paul and the ending run just before the vocals enter is definitely George.

[@elantric]

Im convinced it was McCartneys effort, then he taught it to George. Ill go a step further and state it was not an isoloted case. IMHO McCartney wrote and hummed the guitar solo to "Something" , which George employed as basis for his final solo

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and comment!

[@elantric]

​@@the_guitar_trooperother trivia, I'm convinced Beatles shifted to using Epiphone Casinos+ Hofner Bass, all hollowbody instruments on tours in 1965-66, as "unplugged" stuck in a hotel room they could compose tunes for the next Album

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@ hey! That’s a great observation!

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

No. You're getting confused with some isolated track you've heard on KZbin where Paul is singing along with the already recorded guitar solo. Paul's only contribution was the way over the top bass line and backing vocals .

[@flankerroad7414]

See: Paul Is All

[@mariocastro3558]

George was only 18, true, but there was a reason Paul brought him to the band when George was about 14-15: He was a better guitarist than both Paul and John. Paul did the arrangement in isolation? I disagree. At this point, George Martin was still in charge of all the arrangements. This song follows Peggy Lee's Latin-style version, which is what Paul had heard and liked and wanted to sing. George probably used the solo on Peggy Lee's version as a model to develop his own solo. His guitar work throughout the "With the Beatles" album, including his solo on "All My Loving," clearly demonstrates his growing capabilities. Paul did eventually catch up with George in guitar proficiency. Some (including you, probably) may even say he surpassed him, but George's skill in developing licks and arpeggios to embellish songs, already in evidence in 1963, was never surpassed by Paul. These days, Paul has a tendency to claim credit for pretty much everything regarding The Beatles' creativity. I'm sure he would've already claimed it was his solo and he taught it to George a long time ago. In my humble opinion, George wrote the solo based on the instrumental break on Peggy Lee's version. Interesting comment, though. Greetings, fellow old guy.

[@patrickf.4440]

I'll go with, Paul could have had the basic structure for the solo, and, if so, Harrison may have tailored it to his own style and method of playing something like this. And, of course, Harrison playing right-handed.

[@jaelge]

This very question has risen in my mind over the years and I find your hypothesis very plausible. At least at that time, McCartney was certainly the most musically sophisticated of the three. It´s a shame we have no samples of Paul´s lead guitar work of that era to compare to George´s.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Yeah. Like I said in the piece, it’s a murky period for gathering facts.

[@philkaiser6025]

You say George always played that solo exactly the same, even live??? I guess you've never seen their first Ed Sullivan show on Feb. 9, 1964? George played that solo close, but not exactly like it is on the record as you insist. Go back and watch it, he does adlib that night....

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view! Okokok. It was STRUCTURED the same way. Better? In other words, he didn’t play it ever as a series of pentatonic patterns. That’s the point.

[@philkaiser6025]

@@the_guitar_trooper very cool, I get it now. Thanks for the reply, man!

[@codetech5598]

In other words, George just didn't ramble on and make something up the way that Clapton guy would have done.

[@philkaiser6025]

@@codetech5598 you are correct, but The Beatles were very careful in the early days (especially George) to play things a bit different live so the folks listening on the radio or watching on the telly would know they weren't hearing the record. It was a "thing" back then.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@ BINGO! George wasn’t known for being a big extemporaneous performer. He learned what he felt worked and stuck with it. Thanks a MILLION for your view and comment!

[@sappo504]

And let's not forget that George Martin was an A-LEVEL producer who often wrote instrumentations and harmonies for the lads, and at this early stage they pretty much did what he said to do.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Yeah but…. They were playing the piece and the solo before they met Martin.

[@sappo504]

@@the_guitar_trooper Oh that's funny, I feel like I just stepped on a rake - of course you're right about that! After watching your presentation I was convinced George didn't write it. The melody is more sophisticated than anything he was doing at the time and it's basically perfect. I figured it had to be Paul or George Martin. But let's pretend I didn't mention George Martin for the arrangement on this particular song. :)

[@tommaloney3938]

also the solo has a diminished run in it which George uses extensively on his solo recordings.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Good point

[@chrisgdyer]

Your hypothesis seems quite likely to be true. Most of my favorite Beatle songs seem to be George Harrison compositions so his talent compared to Lennon & McCartney is right up there with them (IMO). With that said, I don’t believe that it would diminish Georges’ standing within the Beatles, talent wise, to consider that he would commit to learning a lead solo written by Paul in order to facilitate the vision Paul had for their cover of such a beautiful song as ‘Till There was You’.

[@stevemabus6178]

Definitely a George Harrison solo

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the comment, Steve!

[@ernestohuerta8176]

I Could think of a song solo that kind of resembles to this one. and it’s “And Your Bird Can Sing “, even though It’s not at the same period.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Not George’s invention

[@mheff28]

Why would you not assume they worked it out together. Such as Paul saying " OK, here we are going with a solo, go with the melody and riff. That sounds good, maybe add a flourish here, GREAT!" If it was his arrangement, of course he had something to do with it. George didn't get a writing credit. But why does it matter? He played it. On My Guitar Gently Weeps, he wrote it but didn't play it on the record. It was a Beatles thing, from Rubber Soul on, to put on record, stuff they couldn't do live.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Good point!

[@MegaTriumph1]

It always seemed like a song built around a solo. Just like Randy Rhoads Crazy Train intro.

[@tonypurcell1049]

I'm old enough to have heard The Beatles perform this on radio and tv in the sixties. Indeed I copied the solo in my early years of playing guitar as it is quite basic playing. But I always assumed they copied most of their early songs and am very surprised if George actually wrote this solo. However, I don't think it mattered if he did or not, the rest is history.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

That BBC broadcast was a jewel of live radio.

[@mr.milehi9883]

Here's another really great bit of music nostalgia. Van mccoy? He wrote the song baby I'm yours. See original demo.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for that! Wow. What a prolific guy. I knew him in the ‘70’s only because he did “The Hustle”. I had no idea that he was so involved in the music biz.

[@scottgunvaldsonmusic4116]

Nonsense. George wrote it and played it.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Done

[@johnnyguitarpatino5652]

I agree

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for watching, Johnnie!

[@mikeohara5421]

Also, i would suggest that John got the idea for the chromatic chord runs for Do You Want to Know a Secret from Till There Was You

[@edsanders9605]

YES, YES- I have always thought that!!!!

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

Paul did everything. Just ask Paul. He'll tell you.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

HA!

[@deankaren9237]

😂

[@dennisbishop3016]

I've never entertained the idea that Paul wrote the solo, but I agree that it is definitely his style. The guitar work in "I'll Follow The Sun" is all Paul's work, so this is not beyond Paul's expertise. In fact, Paul is a wonderful guitarist. I’m not selling George out on this, but I think you may be correct on the solo’s author.

[@jerryhorne7547]

Speaking of Paul’s guitar skills, I think he played the lead guitar on Taxman.

[@dennisbishop3016]

@@jerryhorne7547 Yes, this has been documented.

[@victorarena23]

that solo is simplistic

[@catherinewilson3880]

​@victorarena23 So simplistic George couldn't play it. 😉

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

The guitar work on "I'll Follow The Sun" is actually John and George. And the solo is George. Paul didn't play guitar on ANY Beatles track until the Help sessions.

[@jacksonjacksoff]

I whole heartedly agree with this opinion and hypothesis. I think a lot of George and Ringo’s playing can be attributed to Paul but with no credit or proof

[@Mike-hr6jz]

I tend to agree with you because of the style it’s quite different than George’s normal style

[@johnwilson7809]

What about the solo on "All My Lovin'"? All George, and similar style.

[@Mike-hr6jz]

@@johnwilson7809 totally different style and he was older and even that George Martin could have suggested some things we don’t know George is good no one staying a thing from him he learned from his friends Mr. McCartney from why he wouldn’t even be in the Beatles if it wasn’t for Paul bringing him before John he treated George like a little brother and I’m sure he had some advice at times

[@1rwjwith]

Yeah but it was even more different than anything Paul or John ever played on guitar either! It is a chord based solo…George always put the most sophisticated chords in to the arrangements very much “Jazz” voicing , listen to the chords he uses on the end of It Won’t Be Long for instance😁

[@Mike-hr6jz]

@@1rwjwith at 19 do you think George thought this I like George but he’s no saint no perfect being and it’s more likely McCartney Road it and George played it. It won’t tarnish Georgia star any to admit. That

[@Galantski]

This solo was clearly written by Paul, having his compositional fingerprints all over it. Note, too, that his first ballad ‘And I Love Her’, has the same general feel to it. Melodically, McCartney was har ahead of Lennon and Harrison, and never looked back. An altogether different sort of solo credited to George, but who many (self included) believes was written by Paul, even if he didn't play it, is the one for 'Fixing a Hole' (credited to Lennon-McCartny, but it's 100% Paul). This song from _Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band_ has melodical contours more in line with Macca than George, and given that, after George Martin, Paul was the most innately gifted musically, if he didn't tell what he wanted the solo to sound like from the start, may have heard George's go at one, then veto it, telling him this is how the solo in _his_ song should sound. It's just a theory, but I think it holds up (solo at 1.16): kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4GllWubfbakf9k

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and insightful comment!!

[@marcusphelan57]

Err...um...guess who Paul gives credit to in regards to making "And I Love Her" as great as it is? A: George. Paul: “Now you think about that [riff]: THAT’s the song!” he said. “You know, he made that up at the session. He nicked the chords and we just said, ‘It needs a riff.’ I didn’t write that!” At the time of recording "Till There Was You", McCartney wouldn't dare dictate to George what to play, especially for a cover that had been in their live set for years. It's not rocket science, it's a solo worked around chord changes, just the way George always played, not being a natural improvisor. And by Sgt Peppers, no one showed anyone else what to play, if they had the best idea, that person would play it. Paul might irritate everybody with his fixation with getting an effect (eg the rising/descending guitar lick in "I've Got A Feeling"), but even he could not push his idea for a complete solo. Not with a fellow Beatle anyway. George could suppress his ego, as with Taxman - if you can do it better, go ahead. in 1967 George hardly played any guitar, let alone on Peppers sessions. So you're right that George didn't come up with the Fixing A Hole guitars, but you're wrong that he played it. Paul did that too, and that's been something I've been arguing in forums like this for a long time.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@ Hi Marcus! Thanks so much for the view and this comment!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

@ George did indeed ad lib that 4-note guitar hook for “And I Love Her”. The song would not be the same without it.

[@khaledyafai5473]

I think after all the troubles the Beatles four went through after the break up and crediting what to who Paul wouldn’t have let that slide … unless he wanted to.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for your view and comment!

[@goplad1]

First and foremost is the solo played by George Harrison on stage was quite different in the way he played it on the recording. Second, the way he played it on the Decca session is noticeably different from the way he played it on the With The Beatles version. I do not see McCartney arranging this solo because it was way beyond his ability on guitar and his ability to arrange music at that early stage. It is more likely George arranged the solo himself based on hearing the Music Man version and possibly the Peggy Lee version. Additionally George Martin more than likely had a hand in tweaking it a bit. Let's give George Harrison more credit than that.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and your insight!

[@Motorcycledimwit]

As George would probably say “ who cares” 🤷‍♂️

[@the_guitar_trooper]

That’s always an option!

[@MikeMay-b8e]

Sounds very much like George to me.

[@jerrystrull]

I think it's possible that whichever Beatle played the guitar solo on "Honey Pie" was the one who played the solo on "'Til There Was You". I know there were several intevening years, but I think I hear a similarity in the jazz styling. Just a guess.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Good point, but that light lead on “Honey Pie” was done by John, and then woodwinds picked up the rest of the interval. George actually played the Fender 6-string bass on “Honey Pie”. And, to re-iterate a point in the video - there is no doubt that George played the lead for “Til There Was You”

[@1rwjwith]

JOHN LENNON played that solo on Honey Pie but as it was described it was a total accident and if you listen it totally kind of drops out after the initial lines he played , it does not resolve musically at all. I think George did Till There Was You, conceived and played the solo.

[@JoelWelter]

Has anyone asked Paul? He's still alive, you know. Should I text him real quick and see if he remembers? My last restraining order has expired, so I'm good. :)

[@TonyLovell]

Your hypothesis is at least plausible, but it seems as though it is caustic to offer it unless some effort is made to ask Paul. His answer may be hazy on account of the passage of time or some interpersonal tensions, but it should be solicited. If he offers a clear indication that George wrote it, with some detail to the story, I'd say that would close the case.

[@jfjoubertquebec]

Yes,

[@williamroberts8174]

I think it is likely that Paul wrote the solo and taught it to George. Paul was a better guitar player, which we can see in George’s song Taxman, in which Paul played the solo.

[@joec91660]

He plays it differently from the recording on The Ed Sullivan Show.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

If you’d like even another take, listen to the recording of the song from the BBC show they recorded. It very nice.

[@mr.milehi9883]

Shannon by Henry gross. Girls was a member of Sha Na Na. This was his only top 40 hit. It was written about a dog named shannon. This dog was the pet of the Wilson Brothers of the Beach boys Henry gross was friends with them when they were children.

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

Welp, lets ask Paul shall we?