On This Day in 1973, George Harrison Released His 4th Album, His Second US #1 and Certified Gold by RIAA
via George Harrison / YouTube
A Follow-Up to His Breakout Solo Success
On May 30, 1973, George Harrison released his fourth solo album, Living in the Material World. It followed his 1970 hit album All Things Must Pass, which had helped him establish a strong solo career after The Beatles broke up. This new record showed a more personal and reflective side of Harrison, with songs that focused on his thoughts about life, fame, and spirituality.
The album came out at a time when each former Beatle was trying to shape their own sound. Harrison continued using themes that were important to him, blending his beliefs with soft rock melodies. Critics noticed that Living in the Material World had a calmer and more focused tone than his previous work.
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Chart Success and a Powerful Single
Just two days after the album’s release, Living in the Material World was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. That meant it had sold over 500,000 copies in the United States alone. It also became Harrison’s second number-one album in the US, showing that his solo career was more than a one-time success.
The album’s lead single, “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” was especially popular. It reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. In doing so, it pushed Paul McCartney and Wings’ hit song “My Love” down to second place. This moment stood out because it was one former Beatle replacing another at number one on the charts.
Spiritual Themes and Personal Messages
Living in the Material World mixed Harrison’s interest in Indian philosophy with simple pop-rock tunes. Many of the lyrics dealt with the challenges of staying spiritual while living in a world filled with fame and money. He didn’t just write about his beliefs—he also donated much of the album’s profits to charity through the Material World Charitable Foundation, which he had just started.
Fans connected with the album’s honesty. Harrison sang about the tension between wanting peace and being part of the music business. His soft vocals and clean guitar work gave the songs a peaceful tone, even when he was talking about serious ideas.
Legacy of a Quiet Beatle’s Second #1
Though it didn’t have as many hits as his earlier work, Living in the Material World showed that George Harrison was still growing as an artist. It proved he could succeed without needing to chase trends or copy his past. “1973 – May 30: As the follow-up to 1970’s critically acclaimed All Things Must Pass, George Harrison releases his fourth studio album, Living in the Material World. It will become his second US number one LP, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America two days after it was issued. The main single, ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)’, would top the Billboard Hot 100, pushing Paul McCartney And Wings’ ‘My Love’ to second spot.”
