Not Guilty (song)
Encyclopedia
"Not Guilty" is a song written by George Harrison
. It is featured on his 1979 album titled George Harrison
and on The Beatles
' Anthology 3
album. While Harrison's solo version is mellower and features acoustic guitar and electric piano, The Beatles' original version is harsher, driven by distorted electric guitar and harpsichord.
home. This version has never been officially released, but is available on numerous bootlegs. Although The Beatles worked on the song for at least three days in 1968 during the The Beatles
sessions, that version was not officially released until 1996 on Anthology 3
, using "take 102" as edited and remixed by Geoff Emerick
in 1984 for the aborted Sessions
album.
Harrison commented about this song: "I wrote that in 1968. It was after we got back from Rishikesh in the Himalayas on the Maharishi trip
, and it was for the White Album. ... 'Not guilty for getting in your way/While you're trying to steal the day' — which was me trying to get a space. 'Not guilty/For looking like a freak/Making friends with every Sikh/For leading you astray/On the road to Mandalay' — which is the Maharishi and going to the Himalayas and all that was said about that. I like the tune a lot; it would make a great tune for Peggy Lee
or someone."
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
. It is featured on his 1979 album titled George Harrison
George Harrison (album)
George Harrison is the eponymous album release by George Harrison in 1979. It was recorded during a period of domestic happiness in which Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias and his son Dhani was born.-History:...
and on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' Anthology 3
Anthology 3
Anthology 3 is a compilation album by The Beatles released in October 1996 by Apple Records as part of The Beatles Anthology series. The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles to the last...
album. While Harrison's solo version is mellower and features acoustic guitar and electric piano, The Beatles' original version is harsher, driven by distorted electric guitar and harpsichord.
History
An acoustic demo of the song was recorded during May 1968 at Harrison's EsherEsher
Esher is a town in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge in South East England near the River Mole. It is a very prosperous part of the Greater London Urban Area, largely suburban in character, and is situated 14.1 miles south west of Charing Cross....
home. This version has never been officially released, but is available on numerous bootlegs. Although The Beatles worked on the song for at least three days in 1968 during the The Beatles
The Beatles (album)
The Beatles is the ninth official album by the English rock group The Beatles, a double album released in 1968. It is also commonly known as "The White Album" as it has no graphics or text other than the band's name embossed on its plain white sleeve.The album was written and recorded during a...
sessions, that version was not officially released until 1996 on Anthology 3
Anthology 3
Anthology 3 is a compilation album by The Beatles released in October 1996 by Apple Records as part of The Beatles Anthology series. The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles to the last...
, using "take 102" as edited and remixed by Geoff Emerick
Geoff Emerick
Geoffrey Emerick is an English recording studio audio engineer, who is best known for his work with The Beatles' albums Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles and Abbey Road...
in 1984 for the aborted Sessions
Sessions (album)
Sessions was a compilation album by The Beatles planned for release by EMI in 1985, but never issued due to objections by the surviving Beatles. The album consisted of thirteen finished, but unreleased, Beatles songs...
album.
Harrison commented about this song: "I wrote that in 1968. It was after we got back from Rishikesh in the Himalayas on the Maharishi trip
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi , born Mahesh Prasad Varma , developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and was the leader and guru of the TM movement, characterised as a new religious movement and also as non-religious...
, and it was for the White Album. ... 'Not guilty for getting in your way/While you're trying to steal the day' — which was me trying to get a space. 'Not guilty/For looking like a freak/Making friends with every Sikh/For leading you astray/On the road to Mandalay' — which is the Maharishi and going to the Himalayas and all that was said about that. I like the tune a lot; it would make a great tune for Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
or someone."