Exploring George Harrison's 'Not Guilty': The Beatles' Lost Gem and Harrison's Solo Journey
After delving into transcendental meditation, The Beatles found themselves overflowing with new songs. John Lennon and Paul McCartney began exploring their individual songwriting skills more, leading to George Harrison working on a folk-influenced track called ‘Not Guilty’. The White Album featured a diverse range of material, including four Harrison tracks, but ‘Not Guilty’ didn’t make the cut due to its breezy sound and lack of studio success.
Harrison’s original version of ‘Not Guilty’ featured a slow acoustic guitar and his soothing vocals. The lyrics reflected his struggle to have his voice heard among Lennon and McCartney. Although written in 1968 for the White Album, the song was forgotten until Harrison rediscovered an old demo. The lyrics, focusing on upsetting the status quo and his experiences in the Himalayas, felt outdated to Harrison.
Despite liking the tune, Harrison considered giving ‘Not Guilty’ to Peggy Lee. The song’s melody and biting lyrics would have suited Lee’s style. Instead of refining it, Harrison shelved the song temporarily before including it on his self-titled solo album in the 1970s. The recorded version had a mellow folk sound, showcasing a shift in Harrison’s songwriting.
‘Not Guilty’ marked a departure from Harrison’s usual heavy material, reflecting his frustration at being overshadowed by his bandmates. While he often tried to contribute to The Beatles, he occasionally considered offering his songs to other artists. Harrison’s solo career, starting with All Things Must Pass, allowed him to fully explore his musical ideas and establish himself as a solo star.
Despite ‘Not Guilty’ not making it onto The Beatles’ White Album, the song hinted at Harrison’s future solo work. His willingness to share his songs with other artists and his eventual success as a solo artist showcased his creative evolution beyond the confines of the band.