My Sweet Lord (1971) 10/9/20

Here's another song I've avoided highlighting up 'til now because the story was too complicated. Here's my attempt at simplifying the details. I had to condense it quite a bit because, after all, this a blog, not a book!

When the Beatles broke up in 1970, the “Quiet Beatle” had a lot to say...and George Harrison released a TRIPLE album to say it. For many people, “All Things Must Pass” was an amazing surprise, and when the first single, “My Sweet Lord” was released in 1971, music critics went nuts, praising everything from the “shimmering harmonies” to the “lustrous guitar work, to “Ringo's solid drumming.” Mick Jagger named it one of his favorite songs. Many applauded the religious aspects of the song—including John Lennon, who characteristically said, “It almost makes me believe there's a God.”

The song was an incredible worldwide hit: #1 in 14 countries, including the US, UK and Canada. It easily topped everything the other Beatles had released as solo artists up to that point, and in the nearly 50 years since its release, “My Sweet Lord” has sold over 10 MILLION copies worldwide, making it one of the biggest selling singles of all time!

Melody Maker Magazine (The UK's answer to Rolling Stone) named it `1971's “Song of the Year” and “World Song of the Year,” and George won an Ivor Novello award for excellence in songwriting.

But then came the lawsuit. George (and Apple Records) were sued for copyright infringement by Bright Tunes,” publisher of the 1963 song, “He's So Fine” by the Chiffons. In court, musicologists were able to prove that the chord structure of the song and the melody were virtually identical. It was a deep technical analysis that musicians and composers could follow, but would leave the general public scratching their heads.

To be fair, if you listen closely to both songs, you can hear the similarities. Even George had to admit they sounded alike, but also claimed it was completely unintentional. No matter, he & Apple lost the case, in a very big way: $1.6 million in fines and damages (in 1970 money).

HOWEVER, it was later revealed there was quite a bit of illegal “funny business” (way too much to go into) during the trial, involving some underhanded dealings by former Beatles manager Allen Klein. Because of this, the court changed its ruling: George and Apple would only have to pay a portion of the settlement: $587,000. That's still a lot of money, but the good news is that in return for the $587K, George and Apple would OWN THE RIGHTS to “He's So Fine!” The whole ordeal was finally settled in 1993—nearly 23 years after it began.

Whew.

Regardless of all the hassles and lawsuits, “My Sweet Lord” was a “Great Song of the '70s,” and still is today!

And, if you want to make the comparison, here's “He's So Fine:”