All Those Years Ago

George Harrison

About All Those Years Ago

"All Those Years Ago" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released as a single from his 1981 album Somewhere in England. Having previously recorded the music for the song, Harrison tailored the lyrics to serve as a personal tribute to his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon, following the latter's murder on 8 December 1980. The recording also includes performances by ex-Beatles Ringo Starr, on drums, and Paul McCartney (along with his Wings bandmates, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine), who overdubbed backing vocals onto the basic track. Released in May 1981, the single spent three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (kept off the top spot by Kim Carnes's "Bette Davis Eyes"), and peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In addition, it topped Canada's RPM singles chart and spent one week at number 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary listings."All Those Years Ago" was both the first recording on which Harrison, McCartney and Starr all appeared since the Beatles' "I Me Mine" in 1970, and the last recording on which they would all appear together until "Free As a Bird", in 1995. Other musicians performing on the track include Al Kooper and Ray Cooper. The song has appeared on the Harrison compilations Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 and Let It Roll, and a live version recorded in 1991 with Eric Clapton was included on Harrison's Live in Japan double album. In 2010, AOL Radio listeners voted "All Those Years Ago" in sixth place on a list of the "10 Best George Harrison Songs". The track has been featured in the books 1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download by Robert Dimery, and Bruce Pollock's The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–2000. 


Year:
1989
3:44
1,078 

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I'm shouting all about love
While they treated you like a dog
When you were the one who had made it so clear
All those years ago

I'm talking all about how to give
They don't act with much honesty
But you point the way to the truth when you say
All you need is love

Living with good and bad
I always looked up to you
Now we're left cold and sad
By someone the devil's best friend
Someone who offended all

We're living in a bad dream
They've forgotten all about mankind
And you were the one they backed up to the wall
All those years ago
You were the one who imagined it all
All those years ago

All those years ago
All those years ago

Deep in the darkest night
I send out a prayer to you
Now in the world of light
Where the spirit free of lies
And all else that we despised

They've forgotten all about God
He's the only reason we exist
Yet you were the one that they said was so weird
All those years ago
You said it all though not many had ears
All those years ago
You had control of our smiles and our tears
All those years ago

All those years ago

All those years ago

All those years ago

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George Harrison

George HarrisonMBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Often referred to as the "quiet Beatle", Harrison over time became an admirer of Indian culture and mysticism, introducing it to the other Beatles, as well as to their Western audience. Following the band's break-up, enjoyed a successful solo career, and in 1988 he co-founded the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Harrison number 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". more »

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Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date & Popularity
"All Those Years Ago" was released on 11 May 1981. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 in Cash Box Pop Singles Chart.
Inspiration
This song was written by George Harrison to pay tribute to his late friend, Beatles bandmate, and singer-songwriter, John Lennon, who was assassinated in December of 1980.
Collaboration with The Beatles Members
This track is quite unique because it features the collaboration of three of the four Beatles - George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. It was one of the few times the trio collaborated musically after the Beatles break-up.
Initial Purpose
Originally, "All Those Years Ago" was intended for Ringo Starr's album "Can't Fight Lightning", but Starr thought the vocal range was too high for him. After Lennon's death, Harrison revisited the song and rewrote the lyrics to honour Lennon.
Video
A video for the song was also produced, directed by Neil Innes and Eric Idle of Monty Python.
Chart Success
Besides its success in the US, the song was also a big hit in many other parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, it got up to no. 13 on the UK Singles Chart, and it also topped charts in Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
Album
It's part of Harrison's ninth studio album "Somewhere in England". The album's release was delayed, which allowed George the opportunity to include this tribute song for John Lennon.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics reference two Beatles songs: "All You Need Is Love" and "Imagine", which were both penned by John Lennon.
Cover Versions
There are several cover versions by other artists, including Smokie, Jann Arden, and Ally Brooke, demonstrating the song's extensive influence and popularity.
Reception
Critics have widely praised the song for its touching tribute to Lennon and its poignant lyrics, cementing it as one of Harrison's most enduring and popular solo hits.

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    All Those Years Ago

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #2


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