Music Blog, Informative, Theme Prompt

They Say It’s Your Birthday

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
February Music Birthdays.
This is my response to the challenge.

This week at Jim Adam’s Song Lyric Sunday, the theme is “February Music Birthdays”. Our challenge is to write about a song written or performed by someone who was born in the month of February. My featured artist will come as no surprise.

George Harrison at the Cavern Club,
Liverpool, 1961
© Beatles Bible

A master musician, film producer and actor best known as the lead guitarist and occasionally lead vocalist of The Beatles, George Harrison was born February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Like his future bandmates, George was not born into wealth. His mother was a stay-at-home mom while his father drove a school bus for the Liverpool Institute, an acclaimed grammar school that George attended and where he first met fellow classmate, Paul McCartney. By his own admission, George was not much of a student and what little interest he did have for his studies vanished with his discovery of the electric guitar and American rock-‘n’-roll. McCartney, who had recently joined a skiffle group called The Quarrymen with John Lennon, another Liverpool teenager, invited George to watch the band perform. Harrison and Lennon had a few things in common, such as the fact that they both attended Dovedale Primary School but didn’t know each other. Their paths finally crossed in early 1958. McCartney had been egging the 17-year-old Lennon to allow the 14-year-old Harrison to join the band, but Lennon was reluctant. As legend has it, George was granted an audition on the upper deck of a bus where he wowed Lennon with his rendition of popular American rock riffs. By the time George was 17 in 1960, his music career was in full swing. Lennon had re-named the band The Beatles and the young group began cutting its rock teeth in the small clubs and bars around Liverpool and Hamburg. Before the end of 1962, The Beatles recorded “Love Me Do”, which landed in the UK Top 20 charts. In early 1963, another hit, “Please Please Me,” was released, followed by an album by the same name. “Beatlemania” was in full swing across England, and by early 1964, with the release of their album in the US and an American tour, it had swept across the States as well. If you would like to know more about the life of George Harrison, a good place to start is HERE.

After going through George’s music with The Beatles, the Traveling Wilburys, and his solo career, I chose three songs which I haven’t played before, or at least not recently. Since live videos of The Beatles are rare, I have chosen to go with lyric audios which offer the best sound quality.

First up is “Old Brown Shoe”, released on a non-album single in May 1969, as the B side to “The Ballad of John and Yoko” and later was included on the band’s compilation albums. The song features a wit-driven look at love, with lyrics emphasizing moving beyond binary choices (yes/no, up/down) toward spiritual freedom. Harrison explained that the song was written using opposites and relates to the duality of life. “Stepping out of this old brown shoe” symbolizes freeing oneself from the constraints of the material world and, perhaps, the “zoo” of being a Beatle. The title itself is only mentioned in the context of “stepping out of it,” which, according to some interpretations, represents leaving behind a tired, old, or uncomfortable way of life to embrace a new, more authentic existence. Although “Old Brown Shoe” remains a relatively obscure song in the band’s catalogue, several music critics view it as one of Harrison’s best compositions from the Beatles era and especially admire his guitar solo on the track. It’s long been a favorite of mine.

This is “Old Brown Shoe” by The Beatles, music and lyrics by George Harrison

Up next is “Beware of Darkness”, a standout track from George’s 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass, serving as a spiritual, cautionary song about avoiding negative influences, ego, and material illusion (Maya). The song was written while members of the Radha Krishna Temple were staying with Harrison at his home, Friar Park, during the Beatles’ breakup; it reflects the chaotic, post-Beatles period, touching on personal, professional, and spiritual challenges, including tensions with former bandmates. Produced by Phil Spector, the track features an all-star lineup including Eric Clapton (electric guitar), Dave Mason (acoustic guitar), Bobby Whitlock (piano), and Ringo Starr (drums).

This is “Beware of Darkness”, music and lyrics by George Harrison

My final song is “Heading for the Light”, an upbeat 1988 track from the Traveling Wilburys which is featured on their eponymous debut album. The song was created during the rapid, 10-day recording sessions in May 1988 at the Los Angeles home of Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics who was invaluable in getting the group together at his studio. Biographers and analysts suggest the lyrics, which mention getting “back on the road to enlightenment,” symbolize Harrison’s personal and spiritual rejuvenation during a time of creative freedom, often contrasting it with his earlier, more conflicted times. “Heading for the Light” was issued as a promotional single in the U.S. and a commercial single in other markets, following the success of the group’s hit song, “Handle with Care”. It peaked at #7 on the U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song represents a joyous, optimistic return to spiritual clarity and personal happiness; the “light” signifies a reconnection with a divine, higher power, moving away from a time where the singer was “lost in the night”.The lyrics address overcoming previous lonely times, including the pressures of fame, fortune, and career ups and downs. The friendship and collaborative, lighthearted nature of the Traveling Wilburys provided a supportive environment, reflecting a sense of relief and comfort in the lyrics. 

This is “Heading for the Light” by the Traveling Wilburys, written by George Harrison with Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & Roy Orbison

Thanks for joining me as we celebrate what would have been George Harrison’s 83rd birthday this month. George passed away November 29, 2001 from cancer; he was 58 years old.

February Music Birthdays

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow the link and check out his site.

Thanks for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2026

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

47 thoughts on “They Say It’s Your Birthday”

  3. I had a feeling someone was going to pick George Harrison. I was already lining up thoughts on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, but decided to sit back and listen first.

    Beware of Darkness has always been one of my favorites. What draws me in is how the melody floats—almost hymn-like—while tension hums underneath. Harrison is naming the things the world chooses to ignore until they finally slap us in the face, and then everyone acts shocked they exist.

    I actually came to the song through Concrete Blonde, and only later realized—almost by accident—that it was a Harrison track. Their version keeps the same rhythm, but instead of warning you from the edge, it pulls you deeper into the darkness. Same truth, heavier gravity.

    Funny how the right song, found the wrong way, can completely reframe the conversation—especially when it cuts through the mythology people lean on when they talk about The Beatles without context.

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    1. Great comments, Mangus. Thank you for stopping by today.

      While “My Guitar Gently Weeps” is a masterpiece worthy of being featured on SLS. I’ve written about it before and today was all about songs I’ve never covered or ones I thought would be new/fresh for my readers. “Beware of Darkness” is pure genius, and the lyrics are still as relevant today as in 1970 which says so much about the mess our society and our world is in.

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  5. Three wonderful songs which were all great to hear again, Nancy and from a man that was loaded with talent. George Harrison was a great guitarist, and he wrote songs that make you think about life because he was a spiritual person.

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    1. Thanks very much for your gracious comments, Jim. I always enjoy talking or writing about George. He was indeed a very talented man and a very spiritual one. Beware of darkness has some very timely lyrics and it is as meaningful today as it was 26 years ago. As always, Jim, thank you for an excellent theme and for everything you do on SLS. It’s my favorite Sunday place to be.

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  6. You won’t be surprised I’m 100 percent with you on your wonderful artist and song picks! George was a beautiful individual (I’m not saying he was perfect!) who wrote many incredible songs.

    Here’s one that may not come to mind first. It’s fairly simple but I love it, yeah – yeah – yeah! Just can’t get enough of that jangly guitar! 🙂

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    1. You are absolutely right, Christian; I am not surprised! For one fleeting second, I thought about featuring Peter Gabriel, but I couldn’t do it. It had to be George. And, as beautiful as he was inside and out, he was far from perfect. You might be interested in reading a little bit of fiction I wrote 3 years ago. Here’s the link for you to check out at your leisure.

      https://theelephantstrunk.org/2023/02/25/something-an-interview-with-george-harrison-november-2001/

      Thanks for sharing “If I Needed Someone”; it’s an excellent one of George’s. I easily could have gone with it as I featured songs I had never shared before on WordPress. It was just the luck of the draw. Thanks for your excellent comments, Christian.

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  7. Ah sweet George. I am so happy you picked him for your February Birthday prompt. A great post as usual with snippets of Beatles trivia that were new to me. I loved all three songs, in particular Heading for the Light with the TW. It was FAB Nancy 🥰❤️

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    1. Thanks so very much, Christine. I know you are a big fan of George so I deeply appreciate you not featuring him today! 😆 🤣 It was a no-brainer for me; as soon as I saw the theme, I knew I would be going with George. Whenever I discuss the Beatles early days, I am always taking a back at just how young they were. This was great fun for me and I was happy to share George’s wonderful music with my friends. ❤️

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      1. Oh of course Nancy. I think you loved George more than me! ❤️. Yes we have to stop and remember how young they were. It’s quite incredible isn’t it? We were lucky to have them as long as we did. Poor George. He shouldn’t have died that young.

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    1. My dear Ivor, these tribute concerts …. and there have been several ….. are a testament as to how much George is respected, loved, and missed. I don’t care how corny it might sound, but it warms my heart every time I watch a performance such as this. Thank you for perfect soundtrack. 🥰 🎶

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    1. Hahaha! I’m sure you didn’t see that Sicilian Curveball coming …. as if! 😂 I’m very happy to know you enjoyed reading about George’s early days and hearing his wonderful music. “Old Brown Shoe” is a favorite of mine and I hope you liked it. Thanks for your great comments, my friend.

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  11. I learned a new word, first off, skiffle – never heard of it and had to look it up. And as always, I love when our Nancy bubbles about George Harrison!

    And as for your song choices- I had never heard any of them, so this was all new music to me. Thanks, Nancy.

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    1. Oops! I didn’t realize my bubbles were showing! 🤣

      Thanks for making a very good point, Jodi. I shouldn’t assume everyone would know a word like “skiffle”; I’ll remember that next time. As you know, I write about George frequently; today I wanted to go with songs I have never featured before. I’m delighted to know they were all new to you. I get great joy out of sharing my music with my friends. I’m so glad you enjoyed them. “Beware of Darkness” is just as relevant today as it was in 1970; that’s quite a commentary on our society and the world at large. Thanks, cara mia; I’ve earned quite a reputation here on WP for my devotion to George and I love it. ❤️

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    1. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t bet huge sums of money on me because you would be a rich man right now! 🤣 As you have no doubt figured out, I read your SLS post before coming here and checking the comments on mine, so we’ve already had this discussion about “dependable” is so much more palatable than “predictable”. Yes, I am very dependable and I’m proud of that! 😂 Thank you, my dear friend. I appreciate your comments and always enjoy our little banter. 😊

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      1. I doubt that the odds would have been good enough to make me rich!

        Yes, I guessed that, and it’s good to be dependable together. I always enjoy our chats too – they are part of what makes blogging so enjoyable for me 👍

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  13. I knew you would pick George- excellent choice Nance, reading your post I had forgotten how young he was when fame arrived. Three great tracks funnily, I don’t think I’d heard the first one before – thanks for sharing the love ❤️

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    1. That is funny, Ange; of the three songs, I thought the first one would’ve been the best known. So far, you are the fourth person to comment on knowing I would go with George today. I love that! I love the fact that we here at SLS have gotten to know each other’s likes and dislikes and favorites so well and I appreciate that no one took George away from me! 😂Thank you for your wonderful comments. ❤️

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  14. When I Googled “musical artists born in February,” and saw that George Harrison was one, I had no doubt you’d respond to this week’s SLS prompt with George. Thanks for not disappointing me.

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    1. Fan, your comment gave me a good laugh and I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you. I was hoping no one else would feature George today; it wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but you know what I mean. I think it’s wonderful that those of us in our little Song Lyric Sunday group are aware and considerate of each other to such an extent and I sincerely appreciate it. Thanks for a great comment.

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  15. Nancy I knew you would go for Geo so I left him to you. You picked a trifecta of bliss with these 3. I remember when Dhani put together Georgefest, he had Conan O’Brien do Old Brown Shoe as the first song of the concert.

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    1. Georgefest is one of a handful of recordings I have on my DVR and have no intention of erasing. It’s such a good concert and Conan O’Brien did a fabulous job on “Old Brown Shoe”. You and a couple of other people commented on leaving George for me to feature today; that just goes to show you what a remarkable group of friends we have established here on WordPress. Thanks for your comments and for leaving George to me! 😆

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      1. Nancy I have to watch it on YouTube but that’s good enough for me. Yes, Conan did, with a nice bit of humor as intro. Yes, it’s a tight community here at WP and I’m glad to be part of it. You are welcome, my friend.

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