To commemorate what would have been George Harrison‘s 80th birthday on Feb. 25, 2023, Yusuf / Cat Stevens has shared a moving cover of the former Beatle’s classic “Here Comes The Sun.”
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Yusuf’s tender rendition, which also features cover art designed by his 8-year-old granddaughter, also comes following the news of Harrison’s solo catalog moving to Dark Horse Records, the label the former Beatle founded in 1974, which is now run by his son Dhani Harrison and David Zonshine.
Dark Horse also revealed that Yusuf has also joined the label. Under Dark Horse, seven albums from Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ catalog will be re-released. The label will also operate the artist’s official online merchandise store, which features many products designed by Yusuf’s daughters.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Yusuf / Cat Stevens to the Dark Horse Records family,” said Harrison in a statement. “Not only is Yusuf a great musical legend but his songs could not fit the Dark Horse mythos any better. From his back catalog, through to the new music we can’t wait for you to hear. Yusuf is without question one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, it is a great honor to be able to give his music a home on our humble yet historic label.”
Written by Harrison, “Here Comes the Sun” was originally released on The Beatles’ 1969 album, Abbey Road, and shifted his recognition as a songwriter with the band alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney. In addition to “Here Comes the Sun,” Harrison also managed to squeeze in the Abbey Road track, “Something,” along with his first credited with the band, “Don’t Bother Me,” off their second album, With the Beatles, and later Help! tracks, “I Need You” and “You Like Me Too Much.”
As of 2021, “Here Comes the Sun” has remained the most-streamed song by The Beatles on Spotify.
“George Harrison was beginning to explore Eastern mysticism around the time I was hospitalized with TB (tuberculosis), in 1968,” said Yusuf in a statement. “Lying in bed, I had a lot of time on my hands and ended up reading a Buddhist book called The Secret Path. That was the beginning of my own search for the light.”
Talking about his own personal journey at the time, Yusuf said he felt a close connection to Harrison early on. “While most of my generation were just into the music, I was a bit like George, where music became the key to something much higher,” shared Yusuf. “Following the rages of the ’60s, his consciousness was awakened, and George transcended to levels not many people ever get to experience. You can hear it in his lyrics, and see it in the way he lived and dealt with the material world—looking for a way out.”
Yusuf added, “I’m happy to sing one of his songs, especially as it represents the returning of light and hope to a seriously dark and broken world.”
Photo by Danny Clinch / Shore Fire Media
