4 of the Best George Harrison Songs That Were Passed on by the Beatles

Many of George Harrison‘s songs were famously denied by his fellow Beatles. Harrison felt their consistent denial of his songwriting caustic enough for him to consider leaving the band. In the end, he got the last word. He released many of the songs the Beatles passed on during his solo career. Find four of the best, below.

[RELATED: Remember When: George Harrison Revisited Beatles Deep Cuts He Wrote During Final Concert With Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and Other Special Guests]

4 of the Best George Harrison Songs That Were Passed on by the Beatles

1. “All Things Must Pass”

The odd, warbly instrumentation in “All Things Must Pass” would’ve fit perfectly in the Beatles’ catalog. Nevertheless, it never ended up on a Beatles album. The song was too good to completely fall by the wayside. He ended up recording it for a 1970 album of the same name.

Sunrise doesn’t last all morning
A cloudburst doesn’t last all day
Seems my love is up
And has left you with no warning
It’s not always gonna be this grey

All things must pass
All things must pass away

2. “Isn’t It a Pity”

“Isn’t It a Pity” is a slow-burning ballad that erupts into an impressive trill of instrumentation. It’s one of Harrison’s most impressive bouts of songwriting. Harrison reminds the listener of the beauty all around them in this track about heartbreak and missed connections.

Isn’t it a pity?
Now isn’t it a shame
How we break each other’s hearts
And cause each other pain?

3. “Let It Down”

While the Beatles pleaded to their lover to not let them down, Harrison asks his lover to “Let It Down.” In this tale of all encompassing love, Harrison wants to be enveloped by his partner. Let it all down / Let your love flow and astound me, he sings.

While you look so sweetly and divine
I can feel you here
I see your eyes are busy kissing mine
And I do— I do
Wondering what it is they are expecting to see
Should someone be looking at me

4. “See Yourself”

It’s easier to criticize somebody else / Than to see yourself, Harrison sings in “See Yourself.” It’s a hard truth that we all must reckon with from time to time. How often do we point fingers at one another without analyzing our own actions. This song is a helpful reminder.

It’s easier to tell a lie than it is to tell the truth
It’s easier to kill a fly than it is to turn it loose
It’s easier to criticize somebody else
Than to see yourself

(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)