Inner Light

The Beatles

About Inner Light

"The Inner Light" is a song by the English rock group the Beatles, written by George Harrison. It was released on a non-album single in March 1968, as the B-side to "Lady Madonna". The song was the first Harrison composition to be issued on a Beatles single and reflects the band's embrace of Transcendental Meditation, which they were studying in India under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at the time of the single's release. After "Love You To" and "Within You Without You", it was the last of Harrison's three songs from the Beatles era that demonstrate an overt Indian classical influence and are styled as Indian pieces. The lyrics are a rendering of a poem from the Taoist Tao Te Ching, which he set to music on the recommendation of Juan Mascaró, a Sanskrit scholar who had translated the passage in his 1958 book Lamps of Fire. Harrison recorded the instrumental track for "The Inner Light" in Bombay in January 1968, during the sessions for his Wonderwall Music soundtrack album. It is the only Beatles studio recording to be made outside Europe and introduced Indian instruments such as sarod, shehnai and pakhavaj to the band's sound. The musicians on the track include Aashish Khan, Hanuman Jadev and Hariprasad Chaurasia. Aside from Harrison's lead vocal, recorded in London, the Beatles' only contribution came in the form of group backing vocals over the song's final line. In the decade following its release, the song became a comparative rarity among the band's recordings; it has subsequently appeared on compilation albums such as Rarities, Past Masters, Volume Two and Mono Masters. 


Year:
1993
54 
#6

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

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Written by: GEORGE HARRISON

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


23 facts about this song

Creation
"Inner Light" was written by George Harrison during the time he was studying the sitar with Ravi Shankar in India.
Instrumentation
This was one of the Beatles’ songs that prominently showcased Indian classical music. It was mostly recorded in India using traditional Indian instruments, including the sitar.
Recording
"Inner Light" is the only Beatles song that was completed outside of Europe, with the backing track recorded in India.
Performance
It is one of the few Beatles songs featuring only one member of the band - in this case, George Harrison. The other Beatles didn't play or sing on "Inner Light."
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Inner Light" were inspired by the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text of Taoism.
Release
The song was released as the B-side of the single "Lady Madonna" in 1968.
Philosophy
It is considered one of George Harrison's more philosophical songs, with the "inner light" referring to the universal spirit within all human beings.
Reception
"Inner Light" didn't chart as a single, it has been critically acclaimed for its beautiful melody and philosophical lyrics.
Legacy
Despite being less famous than other Beatles’ songs, "Inner Light" has remained popular among fans for its unique sound and spiritual message.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by many artists including Morgan Fisher, on an album of Beatles song covers, and Stereophonics for Mojo Magazine's commemoration of the 40th anniversary of The White Album.
Availability
"Inner Light" was not included in any of the original Beatles' albums released in the UK or US. However, it has been included in several compilation albums over the years, most notably on "Rarities" and "Past Masters, Volume Two."
Live Performance
Despite its popularity, there is no record of The Beatles ever performing this song live.
Band Creation
"Inner Light" is a song by the globally recognized British rock band, The Beatles. The band was formed in Liverpool in 1960 and consists of four members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Writer
The song was written by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the Beatles. This was his third song to be released as a B-side single by the band, showing his growth as a songwriter within The Beatles' framework.
Influence
The lyrics of "Inner Light" were heavily influenced by Harrison's deep interest in Indian philosophy. They were inspired by a verse from the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text.
Music Style
The song exhibits Harrison's fascination with Indian classical music and features instruments such as the sarod, shehnai, and pakhavaj, among others. Its style distinctly sets it apart within The Beatles' catalog.
Recording
Unlike most Beatles' tracks, "Inner Light" was partly recorded in India, specifically at EMI's Bombay studios, during Harrison's visit in January 1968.
Release
“Inner Light” was released as the B-side of the "Lady Madonna" single in March 1968. However, it was not included on an album until the compilation album "Rarities" was released in the UK in 1978.
Limited Vocal Participation
This song is notable for featuring only one member of The Beatles—George Harrison—on vocals. None of the other band members sang on the track.
Unique Distinction
"Inner Light" is the last of three Indian-style tracks written by Harrison for the Beatles, following "Love You To" and "Within You Without You".
Length
The song is one of the shortest Beatles' songs, with a length of 2 minutes and 36 seconds.
Reception
While never as famous as many of their other hits, "Inner Light" was still well-received by fans who appreciated its unique, philosophical lyrics and Indian influences.
Legacy
"Inner Light" stands as a testament to George Harrison's musical diversity and his efforts to introduce Western audiences to Indian philosophy and music, significantly impacting pop music's evolution.

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