When We Was Fab
Encyclopedia
"When We Was Fab" is a song written by George Harrison
and Jeff Lynne
about the days of Beatlemania
, when The Beatles
were first referred to as the "Fab Four". The song appears as the sixth track on Harrison's 1987 album
Cloud Nine
and was later released as the second single
from that album in January 1988. In the United Kingdom
, it peaked at #25 in the UK Singles Chart
, and in the United States
, the song peaked at #23 in Billboard
magazine's Hot 100
singles chart. It is Harrison's last Top 40 hit in the U.S., and the second such hit in which the lyrics reflect on his years as a Beatle - the other being All Those Years Ago
.
The lyrics make direct references to at least three songs associated with the 1960's, though only one is a Beatles original. One is Bob Dylan
's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
." Another is "You've Really Got a Hold on Me
", a song by Smokey Robinson
which The Beatles covered on the 1963 album With The Beatles
. The last is "Taxman
" by The Beatles
. There is also a reference to "Strangers in the Night
", a song by Bert Kaemfert who also produced the Beatles' first record as the backing band for Tony Sheridan
.
In 2010, AOL radio listeners chose "When We Was Fab" as one of the 10 Best George Harrison Songs, appearing at #9 on the list.
's 1966 line drawing of Harrison, which was used in the album art for The Beatles' album Revolver
(the letters ER from the title are visible), along with a similar, updated drawing of Harrison 22 years later.
that accompanied the song (directed by Godley & Creme
) also referenced the other three former Beatles. George suddenly appears dressed with his Sgt. Pepper's costume, which he had only reacquired after many years shortly before shooting the video. Ringo Starr
appears prominently first as Harrison's "assistant" and then as the drummer. A man dressed up in a Walrus
costume playing a bass left-handed
refers to Paul McCartney
(who was asked to appear but was not available). John Lennon, who died in 1980, is represented by a passer-by carrying his Imagine
album. Also making guest appearances in the video are Gary Wright
, Elton John
, Paul Simon
, Derek Taylor
, Jeff Lynne
, Ray Cooper
and Neil Aspinall
.
The green apple passing through George's hands, interrupting his guitar playing, is symbolic of the Apple Records label. The video received six nominations at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards
, including best art director for Sid Bartholomew, famous for his work on Pee-wee's Playhouse
.
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...
and Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
about the days of Beatlemania
Beatlemania
Beatlemania is a term that originated during the 1960s to describe the intense fan frenzy directed toward The Beatles during the early years of their success...
, when 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...
were first referred to as the "Fab Four". The song appears as the sixth track on Harrison's 1987 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Cloud Nine
Cloud Nine (George Harrison album)
-Personnel:The following personnel was credited in the liner notes.*George Harrison – vocals, guitars, keyboards, sitar*Jeff Lynne – guitars, bass, vocals, keyboards*Eric Clapton – guitar*Elton John – piano*Gary Wright – piano*Ringo Starr – drums...
and was later released as the second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from that album in January 1988. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it peaked at #25 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the song peaked at #23 in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine's Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart. It is Harrison's last Top 40 hit in the U.S., and the second such hit in which the lyrics reflect on his years as a Beatle - the other being All Those Years Ago
All Those Years Ago
"All Those Years Ago" is a song written by George Harrison, released as a single from the album Somewhere in England. The song was a personal tribute to former bandmate John Lennon, who was murdered on 8 December 1980...
.
The lyrics make direct references to at least three songs associated with the 1960's, though only one is a Beatles original. One is Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and featured on his Bringing It All Back Home album, released on March 22, 1965 by Columbia Records . The song was originally recorded on January 15, 1965 with Dylan's acoustic guitar and harmonica and William E. Lee's bass...
." Another is "You've Really Got a Hold on Me
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a 1962 Top 10 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label. One of the group's most covered tunes, this million-selling song is a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee...
", a song by Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
which The Beatles covered on the 1963 album With The Beatles
With the Beatles
With The Beatles is the second studio album by the English rock group The Beatles. It was released on 22 November 1963 on Parlophone, and was recorded four months after the band's debut Please Please Me...
. The last is "Taxman
Taxman
"Taxman" is a song written by George Harrison released as the opening track on The Beatles' 1966 album Revolver. Its lyrics attack the high levels of progressive tax taken by the British Labour government of Harold Wilson.-Composition:...
" by 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...
. There is also a reference to "Strangers in the Night
Strangers in the Night
"Strangers in the Night" is a popular song composed by Bert Kaempfert with English lyrics by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder. It was originally created under the title Beddy Bye as part of the instrumental score for the movie A Man Could Get Killed...
", a song by Bert Kaemfert who also produced the Beatles' first record as the backing band for Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
.
In 2010, AOL radio listeners chose "When We Was Fab" as one of the 10 Best George Harrison Songs, appearing at #9 on the list.
Track listings
- 7" W8131
- "When We Was Fab" - 3:59
- "Zig Zag" - 2:45
- An instrumental track originally appearing on the 1986 soundtrack for the film Shanghai SurpriseShanghai SurpriseShanghai Surprise is a 1986 British adventure comedy film starring then-newlyweds Madonna and Sean Penn, produced by George Harrison's HandMade Films and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
.- 12" W8131T, 12" picture disc W8131TP, 3" CD W8131CD
- An instrumental track originally appearing on the 1986 soundtrack for the film Shanghai Surprise
- "When We Was Fab" (unextended version)
- "Zig Zag" - 2:45
- "That's The Way It Goes" (remix)
- The original version appears on Harrison's 1982 album Gone TroppoGone TroppoGone Troppo is an album by George Harrison recorded and released in 1982. It would prove to be Harrison's last studio album for five years, wherein he would largely take an extended leave of absence from his recording career, with only the occasional soundtrack recording surfacing.By 1980,...
.
- The original version appears on Harrison's 1982 album Gone Troppo
- "When We Was Fab" (reverse end)
- The extended version of the song, containing the last few seconds of the song played in reverse.
Cover art
The single cover incorporates Klaus VoormannKlaus Voormann
Klaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
's 1966 line drawing of Harrison, which was used in the album art for The Beatles' album Revolver
Revolver (album)
Revolver is the seventh studio album by the English rock group The Beatles, released on 5 August 1966 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin. Many of the tracks on Revolver are marked by an electric guitar-rock sound, in contrast with their previous LP, the folk rock inspired Rubber...
(the letters ER from the title are visible), along with a similar, updated drawing of Harrison 22 years later.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
that accompanied the song (directed by Godley & Creme
Godley & Creme
Godley & Creme were an English pop music duo composed of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The pair began releasing albums as a duo after splitting from the pop band 10cc. In 1979 they directed their first music video for their own single "An Englishman in New York"...
) also referenced the other three former Beatles. George suddenly appears dressed with his Sgt. Pepper's costume, which he had only reacquired after many years shortly before shooting the video. Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
appears prominently first as Harrison's "assistant" and then as the drummer. A man dressed up in a Walrus
I Am the Walrus
"I Am the Walrus" is a 1967 song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Lennon claimed he wrote the first two lines on separate acid trips. The song was in the Beatles' 1967 television film and album Magical Mystery Tour, and was the B-side to the #1 hit "Hello,...
costume playing a bass left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
refers to Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
(who was asked to appear but was not available). John Lennon, who died in 1980, is represented by a passer-by carrying his Imagine
Imagine (album)
Imagine is the second album by John Lennon. Recorded and released in 1971, the album tended toward songs that were gentler, more commercial and less avant-garde than those on his critically acclaimed previous album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The album is considered the most popular of his works...
album. Also making guest appearances in the video are Gary Wright
Gary Wright
Gary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
, Derek Taylor
Derek Taylor
Derek Taylor was an English journalist, writer and publicist, best known for his work as press officer for The Beatles...
, Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
, Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
and Neil Aspinall
Neil Aspinall
Neil Stanley Aspinall was a British music industry executive. A school friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he went on to head The Beatles' company Apple Corps....
.
The green apple passing through George's hands, interrupting his guitar playing, is symbolic of the Apple Records label. The video received six nominations at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards
1988 MTV Video Music Awards
The 1988 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on September 7, 1988, honoring the best music videos from May 2, 1987, to April 1, 1988. The show was hosted by Arsenio Hall at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles....
, including best art director for Sid Bartholomew, famous for his work on Pee-wee's Playhouse
Pee-wee's Playhouse
Pee-wee's Playhouse is an American children's television program starring Paul Reubens as the child-like Pee-wee Herman. The show was developed from Reubens' popular stage show and the one-off TV special The Pee-wee Herman Show, produced for HBO, which was similar in style but featured much more...
.
External links
- George Harrison - When We Was Fab at Graham Calkin's Beatles Pages.