While My Guitar Gently Weeps

The Beatles

About While My Guitar Gently Weeps

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album The Beatles (also known as "the White Album"). It was written by George Harrison, the band's lead guitarist. The song serves as a comment on the disharmony within the Beatles following their return from studying Transcendental Meditation in India in early 1968. This lack of camaraderie was reflected in the band's initial apathy towards the composition, which Harrison countered by inviting his friend and occasional collaborator, Eric Clapton, to contribute to the recording. Clapton overdubbed a lead guitar part, although he was not formally credited for his contribution. Harrison wrote "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" as an exercise in randomness inspired by the Chinese I Ching. The song conveys his dismay at the world's unrealised potential for universal love, which he refers to as "the love there that's sleeping". Harrison first recorded it with a sparse backing of acoustic guitar and harmonium – a version that appeared on the 1996 Anthology 3 outtakes compilation and, with the addition of a string arrangement by George Martin, on the Love soundtrack album in 2006. The full group recording was made in September 1968, at which point the song's folk-based musical arrangement was replaced by a production in the heavy rock style. The recording was one of several collaborations between Harrison and Clapton during the late 1960s and was followed by the pair co-writing the song "Badge" for Clapton's group Cream. 


Year:
2001
114 
#6

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I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps.

I don't know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you.

I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps.

I don't know how you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
No one alerted you.

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
Look at you all
Still my guitar gently weeps.

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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 © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Composition and Inspiration
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was composed by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of The Beatles. It’s considered among his best work with the band. - Harrison was inspired to write the song after reading the "I Ching", a Chinese book of changes, which led him to believe, "that everything is relative to everything else".
Release and Reception
Despite being one of The Beatles' most popular songs, it was never released as a single. - The song was first released on The Beatles' 1968 eponymous double album, commonly known as "The White Album". - It was met with widespread critical acclaim and has since been covered by numerous artists.
Lyrics and Themes
The song's lyrics were a reflection on the turmoil within the band at the time of its composition. The melancholic and poignant lyrics express Harrison's disappointment at the disharmony amongst The Beatles.
Guest Artist
Most notably, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" features a guest appearance by Eric Clapton, who played the lead guitar on the track. However, Clapton was initially reluctant to contribute as he didn't want to be the only non-Beatle playing on the album.
Recording and Production
The song underwent several changes during its recording. The original version was a simple acoustic rendition, but it was later reworked into a heavier, full band version. - The final version was the result of overdubs and a two-day recording session, which included Clapton's contribution.
Misconception
Contrary to the given question, Cream, the British rock band, did not perform "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". This could be a common mistake as Eric Clapton, a member of Cream, contributed to the recording of the song.
Legacy and Rankings
In 2004, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was ranked number 136 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". - The song was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
Notable Cover Versions
Artists ranging from Peter Frampton to Tom Petty and Prince have covered "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", further testament to the song's influence and enduring popularity.

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