The Spiteful Song George Harrison Wrote For The Beatles
When the Beatles decided to part ways, George Harrison was already feeling sidelined within the band. Despite being part of one of the greatest music partnerships in history, he sensed his contributions were undervalued. Tired of being overshadowed by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Harrison sought a way to express his frustration. His weapon of choice? A song.
Harrison wasn’t known for being verbose. His reserved nature earned him the moniker of “The Quiet Beatle.” However, beneath that quiet exterior lay a simmering discontent.
Northern Songs, a company in which each member of the band owned a varied percentage, released the Beatles’ songs. The majority was written by McCartney and Lennon, who were the main songwriters. Harrison was even more displeased with this ownership disparity.
In response, Harrison penned “Only A Northern Song” to vent his frustrations not only with his bandmates but also with the music industry at large.
The song’s lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment:
“It doesn’t really matter what chords I play
What words I say
Or time of day it is
As it’s only a Northern song”
The composition itself is eccentric, almost as if Harrison infused it with his feelings of defiance. While speculation about Harrison’s state of mind during its creation abounds, the song’s eccentricity was driven primarily by his desire to make a statement.
Harrison himself shed light on the song’s origins, revealing it to be a playful jab at Liverpool, often dubbed the “Holy City” of the North. He emphasized the irony of its copyright being held by Northern Songs Ltd., a company in which he had minimal ownership.
“Only A Northern Song” stands as Harrison’s bold assertion of his individuality and frustration. It was his way of reclaiming his voice in a band dominated by larger personalities.
Looking back, it’s clear that George Harrison wasn’t as reserved as his moniker implied. Instead, he used music as a way to voice his unhappiness and claim his place in the Beatles.
