Bob Dylan: Something (George Harrison)

bob dylan george harrison 1971

 

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me

I’ve always liked the way George Harrison plays guitar—restrained and good.
~Bob Dylan (to Ron Rosenbaum, Nov 1977)

He was a giant, a great, great soul, with all the humanity, all the wit and humor, all the wisdom, the spirituality, the common sense of a man and compassion for people. He inspired love and had the strength of a hundred men. He was like the sun, the flowers and the moon and we shall miss him enormously. The world is a profoundly emptier place without him.
~Bob Dylan (George Harrison’s Obituary, 30 Nov 2001)

From Wikipedia:

Released 6 October 1969 (US)
31 October 1969 (UK)
Format 7″
Recorded 25 February, 16 April, 2 May, 15 August 1969
EMI Studios, London
Genre Rock, pop
Length 2:59
Label Apple
Writer(s) George Harrison
Producer George Martin
Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA)

Something” is a song by the Beatles, featured on their 1969 album Abbey Road. It was released that same year as a double A-sidedsingle with another track from the album, “Come Together”. “Something” was the first Beatles song written by lead guitarist George Harrison to appear as an A-side, and the only song written by him to top the US charts while he was in the band. The single was also one of the first Beatles singles to contain tracks already available on an LP album.

beatles something

John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the band’s principal songwriters, both praised “Something” as one of the best songs Harrison had written, or that the group had to offer. As well as critical acclaim, the single achieved commercial success, topping the Billboard charts in the United States and making the top five in the United Kingdom. The song has been covered by over 150 artists, making it the second-most covered Beatles song after “Yesterday”. Artists who have covered the song include Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, James Brown, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Ike & Tina Turner, The Miracles, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker,Isaac Hayes, Julio Iglesias, Mina, and Phish. Harrison is quoted as saying that his favourite version of the song was James Brown’s, which he kept in his personal jukebox.
… read more over @ wikipedia

I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don’t need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me

I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

Other notable versions:

Something:

George Harrison – The Concert For Bangladesh, Madison Square Garden, New York, 08/01/71:

 

My personal favourite is the version by James Brown. It was one of his B sides. I have it on my jukebox at home. It’s absolutely brilliant
~George Harrison

James Brown (This is a rare B-side of 45 rpm “Think”):

Elvis Presley – “Plugged In & Geared Up”, 29 July 1970:

You’re asking me will my love grow
I don’t know, I don’t know
You stick around now it may show
I don’t know, I don’t know

Ray Charles – Volcanic Action Of My Soul (1971):

Something in the way she knows
And all i have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me

I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

bobdylandylan_harrison

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan performed this Beatles song at Madison Square Garden, New York on November 13, 2002, at around the time of the first anniversary of the death of George Harrison. In my view this type of song does not suit Dylan’s voice but he certainly gives it his best. There is some nice guitar from band member Charlie Sexton but I find the mandolin a bit of a distraction.
~Derek Barker (The Songs He didn’t write)

Dylan has covered this beautiful George Harrison song twice; NYC – 13 November 2002 &  Liverpool, England – 1 May 2009.

Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
13 November 2002

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & piano)
  • Charlie Sexton (guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • George Recile (drums & percussion)

Thank you. There’s a tribute coming, I guess it’s the next week or the week after, it’s over in England, for George Harrison and lot’s of people i’m not sure who. But we can’t make it I just want to do this song for George because we were such good buddies.

Echo Arena
Liverpool, England
1 May 2009

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & keyboard)
  • Stu Kimball (guitar)
  • Denny Freeman (guitar)
  • Donnie Herron (violin, mandolin, steel guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • George Recile (drums & percussion)

Check out:

-Egil

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