On This Day in 1970: George Harrison Becomes the First Beatle to Score a Solo No.1 on the U.S. Singles Chart
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A Historic Chart Hit
On December 26, 1970, George Harrison reached a major milestone on the U.S. music charts with his single “My Sweet Lord.” The song began a four-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Harrison the first former member of The Beatles to have a solo single reach the top spot in the United States. This achievement marked a turning point for Harrison, who had stepped out from the shadow of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting team after the band’s breakup earlier that year.
Harrison’s original intention was to give “My Sweet Lord” to fellow Apple Records artist Billy Preston, who had recorded a version of the song for his 1970 album Encouraging Words. However, Preston’s version was not released as a single in the U.S., and Harrison later recorded and issued his own performance, which quickly became a hit.
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Creation and Inspiration
The song was written during a period when Harrison was exploring his spiritual beliefs and interests outside of popular rock music. He drew inspiration from the gospel hit “Oh Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins Singers, and he blended that influence with chants from different spiritual traditions, including “Hallelujah” and Hare Krishna phrases. This mix of musical ideas gave “My Sweet Lord” a unique sound that helped it connect with a wide audience.
Harrison recorded the track with producer Phil Spector at Abbey Road Studios, using many musicians who had worked with him on his triple album All Things Must Pass. These sessions also featured the guitar work of Eric Clapton and the drumming of Ringo Starr, among others. The lush production style became part of the song’s identity and contributed to its broad appeal on radio stations across the U.S.
Chart Success Across the World
“My Sweet Lord” did more than top the U.S. charts. It became a global hit, later reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries. In the UK, it stayed at the top of the singles chart for five weeks in early 1971 and was the best-selling single of that year. Wikipedia+1
Radio play played a major role in the song’s success, especially since Harrison did not make many public appearances or interviews to promote it. Listeners embraced the melody and the message, and the record quickly sold more than a million copies in the U.S., earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Legal Issues and Legacy
Despite its success, the song later became part of a widely known copyright case. In 1976, a U.S. court found that “My Sweet Lord” bore similarities to the 1963 hit “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons, and Harrison was judged to have subconsciously copied parts of the melody. The ruling awarded a share of the song’s earnings to the rights holders of “He’s So Fine.”
Still, the influence of “My Sweet Lord” on Harrison’s career and on pop music at the time is clear. The song brought spiritual themes into mainstream charts and remains one of the most recognized works of his solo career.
