The Story Of The Life-changing Advice John Lennon Gave To George Harrison

After leaving The Beatles, George Harrison enjoyed a stellar solo career, but it’s a lesser-known fact that John Lennon’s advice helped Harrison unlock his full potential. Though Lennon is often seen as a strong-willed figure, he was eager to see his fellow Beatles succeed, whether with the band or on their own. When Harrison found himself struggling to keep up with the prolific songwriting of Lennon and McCartney, Lennon offered words of wisdom that would shape Harrison’s approach to music for years to come.

Finding His Voice Among Giants

For Harrison, working alongside Lennon and McCartney could feel daunting. Reflecting on the early days, Harrison once admitted, “The most difficult thing for me is following Paul’s and John’s songs. Their earlier songs weren’t as good as they are now, and they obviously got better and better, and that’s what I have to do.” This sense of competition made Harrison hesitate to share his songs with the group. He admitted:

“I used to have a hang-up about telling John and Paul and Ringo I had a song… I felt at that time as if I was trying to compete.”

But Harrison’s humility drove him to consider the bigger picture. “The group comes first,” he said, determined not to produce anything he felt wasn’t worthy of the Beatles’ name. Over time, he overcame these “complexes” and started contributing some of the band’s most iconic tracks, such as “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Something.”

Lennon’s Key Advice for Songwriting

Even with these successes, songwriting didn’t always come easily to Harrison. Speaking about “Something,” he recalled, “I wrote the song… but I never finished it off until just recently.” He described his process of piecing together melodies and lyrics but often struggled to complete them fully. Fortunately, Lennon stepped in with a valuable tip. Harrison remembered Lennon advising:

“Once you start to write a song, try to finish it straight away while you’re still in the same mood. Sometimes you go back to it, and you’re in a whole different state of mind.”

This simple advice made a big difference. Harrison began to follow Lennon’s suggestion and complete songs in the same creative burst in which they were conceived. Reflecting on this change, he said, “So now, I do try to finish them straight away,” and it helped him create some of the Beatles’ most beloved music, including “Something.”

Carrying Lennon’s Advice Into Solo Success

Harrison carried Lennon’s advice into his solo career, where he blossomed as an artist in his own right. His debut solo album, All Things Must Pass, showcased the confidence he’d gained and the unique musical voice he had finally discovered. For a moment, Harrison stood out as the Beatle at the peak of creative success, proving that while his Beatles years were monumental, his solo path held its own magic. And in a way, Lennon’s simple words continued to guide him long after the Beatles had parted ways.