"All Those Years Ago" by George Harrison

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0614
Date:  05/23/1981
Debut:  33
Peak:  2
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  Harrison's solo chart appearances were spotty since his first #1 hit "My Sweet Lord" in 1970. His albums were consistent gold sellers, but as the 80s came on he had been absent from the Top 10 since 1973's #1 "Give Me Love - (Give Me Peace on Earth)." Harrison started working on his eighth album in 1979, but the record biz was giving him fits as the label rejected songs and even album artwork. He was still trying to finish the album when John Lennon's murder took place in 1980. Prior to that, Harrison had been working and writing for Ringo Starr's next album and this song was slated for Ringo. It was recorded, but Starr wasn't real happy with the results. After Lennon died, Harrison took back this song, reworked the lyrics to be a tribute to Lennon, and sang on the existing track. It was included on his album "Somewhere in England" and it got him back near the top of the pop chart.

ReduxReview:  It seems appropriate that the first Lennon tribute song came from another Beatle. And having something upbeat instead of some morose ballad kind of fits Lennon more. I didn't care too much for the song back then. Just wasn't my style and I had not been a fan of Harrison's solo work. But I can appreciate it much more these days and it sounds pretty good.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  For this song, Harrison kept the main track that was already recorded which featured Ringo on drums. He then asked Paul and Linda McCartney to come in and provide backing vocals. It was the first time the three ex-Beatles worked together on a track since 1970 when the three worked on Harrison's "I Me Mine," the last new song recorded by them before the breakup.

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