Something is a single released by The Beatles in 1969, and featured on the album Abbey Road. It was the first song written by George Harrison to appear on the A-side of a Beatles single. It was one of the first Beatles singles to contain tracks already available on an LP album, with both "Something" and "Come Together" having appeared on Abbey Road. "Something" was the only Harrison composition to top the American charts while he was a Beatle.
The track is generally considered a love song to Pattie Boyd, Harrison's first wife, although Harrison offered alternative sources of inspiration in later interviews. Owing to the difficulty he faced in getting more than two of his compositions onto each Beatles album, Harrison first offered the song to Joe Cocker. As recorded by the Beatles, the track features a guitar solo that several music critics identify among Harrison's finest playing. The song also drew praise from the other Beatles and their producer, George Martin, with Lennon stating that it was the best song on Abbey Road. The promotional film for the single combined footage of each of the Beatles with his respective wife, reflecting the estrangement in the band during the months preceding their break-up in April 1970. Harrison subsequently performed the song at his Concert for Bangladesh shows in 1971 and throughout the two tours he made as a solo artist.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney—the two principal songwriting members of the band—both praised "Something" as among the best songs Harrison had written. As well as critical acclaim, the single achieved commercial success, topping the Billboard charts in the United States, and entering the top 10 in the United Kingdom. The song's success continued after the breakup of The Beatles, when it was covered by over 150 artists including Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Julio Iglesias, Smokey Robinson, Beatallica (calling it "Something Else Matters") and Joe Cocker, becoming the second-most covered Beatles song after Yesterday.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me
[Chorus]
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
[Verse 2]
Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me
[Chorus]
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
[Bridge]
You're asking me will my love grow
I don't know, I don't know
You stick around, now it may show
I don't know, I don't know
[Verse 3]
Something in the way she knows
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me
[Chorus]
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
Credits[]
- George Harrison - Lead Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar (1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard)
- John Lennon - Piano
- Paul McCartney - Backing Vocals and Bass Guitar (1966 Fender Jazz Bass) or (1963 Höfner 500/1) or (1964 Rickenbacker 4001S)
- Ringo Starr - Drums
- Billy Preston - Hammond Organ
- Unknown - Twelve Violins,Four Violas,Four Cellos and Double Bass