Gemini Rising

1980's Sounds - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

1980's Sounds - The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life  (18+) Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life! #1970896 by Jeff

I really feel the Beatles deserve more than one day dedicated to the soundtrack of my life.

The Beatles were the first band I really fell in love with. In the early 1980's I bought every album I could. I played the albums over and over and learned the lyrics as soon as I could. I would spend hours in my basement skating, singing, listening and loving the Beatles.

At the time, I don't think I developed a favorite song or a favorite album. Every song was unique and offered a unique message. Of course, the first impressions involve the love songs and falling in love. Then there was Revolver, that carried other messages about the Taxman, Eleanor Rigby and the circle of life, and the exploration of the mind with Tomorrow Never Knows.

In Jr. High, I wrote my paper on SGT Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Amazing depth. The White Album was brilliant and frustrating. George really began to shine in the White Album while I felt Lennon and McCartney were phoning it in. Personalities began to shine in the songs, culminating with Abbey Road the ultimate goodbye album. The growth from their first album to Abbey Road was amazing. I soaked it up all.

Over the years as I grew up, I gravitated to George's music and songs. He really grew into songwriting and performing and I admired that growth, whereas Lennon and McCartney seemed naturals.

Whenever I'm in a serious reflective mood, I go to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." George wrote it after returning from India and it reflects his growing thought on Eastern spirituality as well as the growing disillusionment toward the band. For me, it's especially poignant during this time of unrest.

I love the progression of the music, the guitar, how it weeps in the rifts. This song marked George's return to the guitar after spending close to 2 years on the sitar and Eric Clapton also played guitar on the song.

WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS
The Beatles/George Harrison