[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
George Harrison — Wah-Wah
Album: All Things Must Pass
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 658









Released: 1970
Length: 5:31
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Wah-wah)
You've given me a wah-wah
And I'm thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)

(Wah-wah)
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
(Wah-wah)
You're givin' me a
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)

Oh, you don't see me crying
Oh, you don't hear me sighing

(Wah-wah)
I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free
(Wah-wah)
I don't need no
(Wah-wah)

Oh, you don't see me crying
Baby baby baby, you don't hear me sighing
Oh, no no no no

(Wah-wah)
Now, I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free of
(Wah-wah)
I don't need no
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
(Wah-wah)
Comments (95)add comment
First time I ever heard this song and I loved it
I love this album. I was playing this in the car some years back with my mother riding along. 'My Sweet Lord' is one of her all-time favorite songs, but when this tune started up, she actually turned up the volume! She didn't get exposed to too much rock music, so I was pleased she liked it.  That aside, this is a great recording on many levels and I love seeing how many others joined in to play on this record.
My favorite Beatle without question. The best thing he ever did was go solo. I've worn out two vinyl sets of this release. The first one was a Christmas gift. Thanks Mom.
Truly great album.  4 great tunes in a row: My Sweet Lord, Wah Wah, Isn't It a Pity, What Is Life. 
I think who is commenting is an interesting question. He Loves the Beatles with a capital L. And this song is simplistic and joyful, nothing wrong with that. The lyrics are too: we have choices and should always make the best of them and move on.

Then I used RP's search link and learned some interesting background:
https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/george-harrison/songs/wah-wah/
 boontonite wrote:
Weird mix but still great. So much energy!

 
sounds like the same mix on Clapton's first solo album, where Delaney and Bonnie backed him up on
 Steely_D wrote:
"who" 
and what difference would that make? Comment on the song, not the poster.
 
Maybe you should take your own advice.
Please don't cry.
 BCarn wrote:

Simplistic? And you are whom?
 

 
"who" 

and what difference would that make? Comment on the song, not the poster. 
Just awful. I was glad when it finished
 Steely_D wrote:
Simplistic, but joyous in its way. 

 
Simplistic? And you are whom?
 
 primm wrote:
 PHIL SPECKTOR RUNNING THE SHOW HERE / SUCH A GREAT SONG AND TRIPLE ALBUM !!!
 
Some would say Phil Spector RUINING the show, but an amazing album nonetheless.
{#Drummer} PHIL SPECKTOR RUNNING THE SHOW HERE / SUCH A GREAT SONG AND TRIPLE ALBUM !!!
Love the version from the Concert for Bangladesh!  {#Cheers}
 Skydog wrote:
'All Things Must Pass' was released before 'Layla', correct?

 
Both were released in November 1970. Both outstanding albums…
this is a wonderfully remastered album!{#Bananajam}
Weird mix but still great. So much energy!
'All Things Must Pass' was released before 'Layla', correct?
This would pair nicely with Fountains of Wayne's "No Better Place."
 quatsch wrote:
He's the real Struwwelpeter! (click here)

 

I had that book as a small child (actually my mother's book when she was growing up in the Fatherland).  Kinda creeped me out.


THE REMASTERD REMIX ON THIS IS GREAT , U CAN HEAR WHAT SPECKTOR WAS REALLY DOING !
The day All Things Must Pass dropped, I was hanging out at Leo's Records in Berkeley with a bunch of others waiting for the shipment to arrive, when a guy throws a box of the albums on the floor and says, "Go and get 'em, animals." We did.
{#Bananajam}
Simplistic, but joyous in its way. 
So let me get this straight, Bill: you're willing to play Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" more than this? 

Oh the humanity.  

George Harrison - Wah-Wah , Live (1971)

Concert for Bangladesh, 1972. Hare Krishna! An energy explosion!!



Anybody ever get stuck hitch-hiking in Wawa, Ontario?
 jools wrote:
Good lord - I thought he was dead.  Never was a fan - this is pretty rubbish - wah wah is teh sound of me crying ....
 
George lives on - I cranked this up today on my iPod Touch just like I used to crank it up on my Dad's stereo with Quad amps.  Total retro delight!!!!!{#Bananajam}
 mrcookieface wrote:
I'm surprised this song isn't rated higher.
 
Me also. Especially if you think that "Watching the wheels" by Lennon is rated 8.4.
I was a child when my parents played this record, and this track sounded so different from the other Beatles and Rolling Stones tracks they used to listen. Probably the first time that I realized that a dumb, strong guitar riff could lift me up.

 DeeCee1109 wrote:


Roger that!
 
Just to Clarify, Excelsior rated this a 2, so the cheery graphic doesn't mean he likes it.


Good lord - I thought he was dead.  Never was a fan - this is pretty rubbish - wah wah is teh sound of me crying ....
manchester1 wrote:
I am stuck working in Mahwah, New Jersey.
However this song has a great groove to it, and I think the "wall of sound" sound creates a great sound!

We should change the name of the town from Mahwah to Wah-wah.


 Excelsior wrote:

 

Roger that!

bronorb wrote:


Also:
My Sweet Lord
Isn't it a Pity
What Is Life
If Not For You
This is an AMAZING album. He was being held back when he was in the Beatles and it all came exploding out when they split up.
Miss you, george.

 

This has always been one of my favorites as well....

Pyro wrote:
The production is very ELO-like. Is this a Jeff Lynne production? *edit* I see it's Phil (who has hair like that?) Spector
He's the real Struwwelpeter! (click here)
Ian911299 wrote:
Huh? Why the low rating? I think this is one of the best songs on All Things Must Pass.
Also: My Sweet Lord Isn't it a Pity What Is Life If Not For You This is an AMAZING album. He was being held back when he was in the Beatles and it all came exploding out when they split up. Miss you, george.
I am stuck working in Mahwah, New Jersey. However this song has a great groove to it, and I think the "wall of sound" sound creates a great sound!
When he was auditioning this album for Phil Spector, George made some home recordings of these songs and others used in later albums. Its mostly him introducting the song and playing in on an electric or accoustic guitar. A couple of these were put on the reissue. Too bad they could not have put all of them on a bonus disc because they are quite wonderful.
pure joy!
Wow, what a great sounding song!
drjimmy wrote:
This cover is from the re-released version, in which they added color and a few songs. When the original came out, I bugged my dad for days to take me to the record store so I could buy it. Had the poster of George from this hanging in my bedroom for years. Great memories.
interesting! I never knew that!
This cover is from the re-released version, in which they added color and a few songs. When the original came out, I bugged my dad for days to take me to the record store so I could buy it. Had the poster of George from this hanging in my bedroom for years. Great memories. oldman wrote:
Kind of an aside.....I could have sworn the album cover was B/W I'll have to dig out my vinyl copy from back in the day when I get home. Now I'm confused.
Kind of an aside.....I could have sworn the album cover was B/W I'll have to dig out my vinyl copy from back in the day when I get home. Now I'm confused.
Gold standard performance of this tune can be found in Concert for Bangladesh. Inspirational.
Actually, I think the "wah wah" he is referring to is material things. George is declaring his desire to be free from attachment to posessions / free from bonds to the material world as part of his search for spiritual enlightenment. Either that or he just really didn't want no stinkin' wah wha pedal. ;-)
This song gets a 2, ONLY because it's George. Too damn WHA WHA WHINEY!
GH or not that was really irritating.
The production is very ELO-like. Is this a Jeff Lynne production? *edit* I see it's Phil (who has hair like that?) Spector
I like a good Wah Wah...the wah wah in the Shaft theme was amazing
JCJ wrote:
Not sure what they mean by this wah wah
I was told he is refering to the whining and bickering amongst the Beatles at their end. It was written before they split up.
JCJ wrote:
Not sure what they mean by this wah wah
I believe this:(click here)
the concert for george is an amazing concert, check it out............ clapton does wah wah, and does it well
... Is it a source of progressive rock? Great!
Wah-Wah is a (pedal) guitar accessory that makes his guitar sound this way on the song. horseplayer wrote:
Personally, I always think of these things, of which I certainly don't need no, when I hear this song ... perhaps George is thinking of something else, however.
I\'m surprised this song isn\'t rated higher.
wah wah woohaa blah blaaaaaahhhhzzzzzzz boring or what?
Best solo Beatles album.
Outstanding!
JCJ wrote:
Not sure what they mean by this wah wah
Personally, I always think of these things, of which I certainly don't need no, when I hear this song ... perhaps George is thinking of something else, however.
Awesome song. The live version from the Concert for Bangladesh surpasses it, but that's just my taste, I suppose.
You see, the thing is, I do need some wah-wah. George is just boasting.
Ian911299 wrote:
Huh? Why the low rating? I think this is one of the best songs on All Things Must Pass.
I'd hate to hear the rest, then.
My fav George song
cosinus wrote:
Ian911299 wrote:
Huh? Why the low rating? I think this is one of the best songs on All Things Must Pass.
Huh? Why the low rating? I think this is one of the best songs on All Things Must Pass.
I WAS there. It sucked then & it sucks just as harshly now.
Quote: Originally Posted by digitalRonin:
Maybe they were, but I'm certainly not. This sucks.
You're probably too young to have been around when this was first released. I think it was a case you had to be there.
Stylish three chord pop! for the antonym see: https://www.radioparadise.com/modules.php?name=songinfo&song_id=34083
8)
mig7 wrote:
Wow! Dumb comment.
George is the icing on the cake of Paul and John. Ringo is the icecream on the side.
dpjag wrote:
Yes, Genesis, Morcheeba, J.S.Bach, Pat Metheny, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, Mike Oldfield, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, G.F. Handel, Morphine. I'm getting tired. There's sure a lot of music out there. Glad I have a radio station like this one where we can hear a lot of it.
Looks like you have great taste in music. Seriouslly! I was not a huge fan of the early Beatles work, but it just amazes me that you can (in one sentence) dismiss ALL of their music as lousy. Give Abbey Road one more listen and see if you can "find" their phenomenal writing skills as well as sublime harmonies.
dpjag wrote:
Yes, Genesis, Morcheeba, J.S.Bach, Pat Metheny, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, Mike Oldfield, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, G.F. Handel, Morphine. I'm getting tired. There's sure a lot of music out there. Glad I have a radio station like this one where we can hear a lot of it.
Go figure. I forgot the Blues. There's a list of Blues artists that can be added, but I'm sure you're all getting tired of this.
steeler wrote:
Wow, that covers a pretty signficant swath and wide variety of music. What do you like?
Yes, Genesis, Morcheeba, J.S.Bach, Pat Metheny, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, Mike Oldfield, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, G.F. Handel, Morphine. I'm getting tired. There's sure a lot of music out there. Glad I have a radio station like this one where we can hear a lot of it.
dpjag wrote:
I've never understood the appeal of the Beetles, let alone the solos that came after.
Wow, that covers a pretty signficant swath and wide variety of music. What do you like?
dpjag wrote:
I've never understood the appeal of the Beetles, let alone the solos that came after.
Whoops. I guess I mean "Beatles." Show's how much I care for them.
I've never understood the appeal of the Beetles, let alone the solos that came after.
piperdad wrote:
This is why John and Paul used to limit him to only one or two songs per Beatles album! :headshake:
Wow! Dumb comment.
oldslabsides wrote:
you kids just don't get it, that's all....it's the SOUND - wonderful
Yes, I understand and agree with what you're saying . . . oh, that's right, I'm old, too! Seriously, in my opinion, All Things Must Pass is the best solo album produced by any of the Beatles.
you kids just don't get it, that's all....it's the SOUND - wonderful
This is why John and Paul used to limit him to only one or two songs per Beatles album! :headshake:
Schmackdown wrote:
Hm, this is the fifth time that I've heard this song here now, and it's not nearly as bad as it was the first time. I think I've started hearing the music rather than focusing on the substandard lyrics.
No kidding! The music on this album is foin.
Hm, this is the fifth time that I've heard this song here now, and it's not nearly as bad as it was the first time. I think I've started hearing the music rather than focusing on the substandard lyrics.
Very nicely busy and I love the harmonies. Good stuff. Long Live George!!!!
everyone's a critic when it comes to GH ...the impression I have of this song is that George had an idea he thought mildly humorous and just went with it... I'd say it's one of the lesser songs from "All Things Must Pass"...but I hardly think it's horrible...and it is just one song from a double album chocked full of substantial work (and it's a triple album if you count the "Apple Jam" disk!) .
Shimmer wrote:
I remember as a kid loving the Beatles and putting this LP on and... taking it off again after about ten minutes. Pretty much how I feel about it now, too.
I actually came to the site to see what I thought was the worst Beattles song ever...whew...just George. Not good.
Shimmer wrote:
I remember as a kid loving the Beatles and putting this LP on and... taking it off again after about ten minutes. Pretty much how I feel about it now, too.
You're ABSOLUTELY NUTS if you think All Things Must Pass is a bad album. Turn in your Beatles card at the door, sir.
I remember as a kid loving the Beatles and putting this LP on and... taking it off again after about ten minutes. Pretty much how I feel about it now, too.
Not sure what they mean by this wah wah
Uhm...ouch...
Originally Posted by digitalRonin: Maybe they were, but I'm certainly not. This sucks.
You're probably too young to have been around when this was first released. I think it was a case you had to be there.
Originally Posted by E: SURE SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE HAVING ALOT OF FUN. I'LL MISS THAT.
Maybe they were, but I'm certainly not. This sucks.
SURE SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE HAVING ALOT OF FUN. I\'LL MISS THAT.