108. Analyzing the Songwriting of The Beatles' George Harrison

Podcast Show Notes:

Dear Songwriter,

Are you ready to dive into the songwriting secrets belonging to The Beatles' quiet genius, George Harrison? Today, we'll be breaking down the timeless tracks "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something" to see what makes them so great. We'll uncover the mystery of why these songs chose to forego the comforts of a traditional chorus, and instead, follow a jazz-like structure.

With George Harrison's deep understanding of musical storytelling, we'll delineate the characteristics that set his creations apart from the typical pop song. You will also unearth the underlying similarities that are subtly woven into these two distinct songs. Ultimately, the goal of this episode is not just to marvel at Harrison's extraordinary talent, but to extract and introduce his unique techniques into your songwriting universe.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

  • The distinct role of the guitar in Harrison's songs

  • The transition between minor and major keys

  • The power of subtle lyrical repetitions

  • Understanding the absence of a traditional chorus.

  • The unique, jazz-like structure of these compositions


Are you ready to resonate your own songs with some of this Beatles magic? Let's get into it with today's episode!

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