All Those Years Ago

“You said it all/though not many had ears”

All Those Years Ago, George Harrison, Somewhere in England, 1981

George was always ‘the thoughtful Beatle’ and this is a typically thoughtful tribute to John Lennon. After their breakup, the Beatles didn’t always maintain the best relationship, with John and Paul in particular feuding with each other. George was always reluctant to discuss the issues he had with his bandmates -  his autobiography ‘I, Me, Mine’ focusses on non-Beatles related topics. This song is probably one of George’s frankest statements about John and the Beatles years. He is joined here by Ringo on drums and Paul and Linda on backing vocals.

I’m shouting all about love
While they treated you like a dog
When you were the one who had made it
     so clear
All those years ago.

I’m talking all about how to give
They don’t act with much honesty
But you point the way to the truth when you say
All you need is love.

Living with good and bad
I always look up to you
Now we’re left cold and sad
By someone the devil’s best friend
Someone who offended all.

We’re living in a bad dream
They’ve forgotten all about mankind
And you were the one they backed up to
     the wall
All those years ago
You were the one who Imagined it all
All those years ago.

Deep in the darkest night
I send out a prayer to you
Now in the world of light
Where the spirit free of the lies
And all else that we despised.

They’ve forgotten all about God
He’s the only reason we exist
Yet you were the one that they said was
     so weird
All those years ago
You said it all though not many had ears
All those years ago
You had control of our smiles and our tears
All those years ago