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Here's a little music trivia for you: The first Beatle to have a solo #1 hit after the band broke up, was also the LAST Beatle to have a solo #1 hit: George Harrison!
"His first was "My Sweet Lord," which went to #1 just about everywhere in the world in 1971-'72, and his last was "Got My Mind Set on You," today's Great Song of 1987-88! (It was also his first chart hit in nearly 8 years).
It was actually a cover version of a rather obscure 1962 single by James Ray.
Back in 1963, George had bought a copy while visiting his sister Louise who lived here in the States--Illinois, to be exact. (Note: Louise passed away this past January at the age of 91.)
When George was putting together his "Cloud 9" album in 1987, he remembered the song and thought he could add a new spin to it.
He hired Jeff Lynne of ELO to produce it and they had so much fun, they became fast friends...which shortly thereafter, led to The Traveling Wilburys--but that's a story for another day.
"Got My Mind Set on You" was a Top 10 hit in 15 countries, and in addition to the US, it reached #1 in Canada, Australia, Belgium, and Ireland.
There were TWO videos made for the song, and both of them were shown frequently on MTV. The first takes place in an arcade, where a handsome young man tries to win a prize for a lovely young lady who is more interested in watching George (and Jeff) on a movie viewer.
The second was inspired by the comedy film "Evil Dead II," and features George sitting in a chair performing the song with help from everything in the room: books, a clock, stuffed animals, and more. In the middle of the song, George does an amazing dance routine. Well actually, it's his stunt double.
"Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison: He didn't write it, but he (and Jeff Lynne) certainly made it a Great Song of the '80s!
James Ray original version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjpip4YzOw4
Tomorrow: Richard awaits!
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