As a member of The Beatles, George Harrison generally played second (or third) fiddle to John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a creative force in the band. After the Fab Four’s 1970 breakup, Harrison’s career as a songwriter and musician came into full bloom with the release of his third solo album, All Things Must Pass.
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The triple-disc album, George’s first solo effort after The Beatles’ split, was released on November 27, 1970.
All Things Must Pass hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart on January 2, 1971. The album’s chart success was propelled by the two-sided single featuring “My Sweet Lord”/“Isn’t It a Pity.” The songs topped the Billboard Hot 100 on December 26, 1970.
The album knocked Santana’s Abraxas from the top of the tally, and remained there for seven consecutive weeks. All Things Must Pass finally was bumped from No. 1 on February 20, 1971, by the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack.
About the Songs on All Things Must Pass
At the time for Harrison recorded his first post-Beatles album, he had a backlog of songs to choose from. Many tunes that he’d presented to or rehearsed with the band during in the previous few years were left off Beatles albums in favor of Lennon-McCartney compositions.
Quite a few of these songs ended up on All Things Must Pass. They included the title track, “Isn’t It a Pity,” “Hear Me Lord” and “Let It Down.” At least two other tunes, “Wah-Wah” and “Run of the Down,” were inspired by Harrison’s frustration with what he perceived as McCartney’s dismissive attitude toward him.
All Things Must Pass’ lead track was a song Harrison co-wrote with Bob Dylan, “I’d Have You Anytime.” The album also featured a cover of Dylan’s “If Not for You.”
Interestingly, cover versions of “My Sweet Lord” and “All Things Must Pass” by Beatles collaborator Billy Preston appeared on Preston’s 1970 album Encouraging Words, which arrived a month before Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album.
The soulful and soaring “What Is Life” was released as a follow-up single to “My Sweet Lord”/“Isn’t It a Pity.” It peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100.
About the Recording of All Things Must Pass
Harrison co-produced All Things Must Pass with Phil Spector. Spector has previously produced Lennon’s hit Plastic Ono Band single “Instant Karma.” He also worked on The Beatles’ Let It Be album.
George attempted to recreate Spector’s famous Wall of Sound approach in recording All Things Must Pass.
Among the many musicians who contributed to the album were Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Preston, Gary Wright, Bobby Whitlock, Peter Frampton, Dave Mason, Klaus Voormann, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Bobby Keys, Alan White, Badfinger’s four members, and Gary Brooker.
The third LP of All Things Must Pass was made up of a series of impromptu jams. One of those jams, “I Remember Jeep,” featured Lennon, Yoko Ono, and former Cream drummer Ginger Baker.
More About All Things Must Pass’ Achievements and Legacy
“My Sweet Lord”/“Isn’t It a Pity” was the first solo single by a Beatles member to top the Hot 100. It spent four weeks at No. 1.
All Things Must Pass and “My Sweet Lord” were nominated for Grammys, respectively, in the Album of the Year and Record of the Year categories.
All Things Must Pass has been certified seven-times platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than 7 million units in the U.S.
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