Chart-Topping Resurgence: George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' vs. Aaliyah's 'More Than a Woman
On this day in 2002, George Harrison achieved the top spot on the UK Singles Chart with his song "My Sweet Lord," following his passing in 2001. The track replaced Aaliyah's "More Than a Woman," marking a unique moment where one deceased artist overtook another on the UK chart. Harrison's resurgence in popularity after his death led to the success of "My Sweet Lord" once again, which had originally been released in 1970 as the lead single from his album "All Things Must Pass."
Aaliyah, who tragically died in a plane crash in August 2001, saw her song "More Than a Woman" reach No. 1 in the UK in early 2002. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" was inspired by his exploration of Hinduism and Eastern religions. Interestingly, the song was first recorded by Billy Preston for his album "Encouraging Words," which Harrison co-produced, but Preston's version was never released as a single.
Following the success of "My Sweet Lord," Harrison faced a legal battle with Bright Tunes Music, who claimed that the song plagiarized the Chiffons' "He's So Fine." Despite Harrison's defense that he drew inspiration from "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, he ultimately lost the lawsuit and was ordered to pay a substantial sum. However, after Allen Klein's ABKCO acquired Bright Tunes, the court ruled in Harrison's favor, awarding him a portion of the settlement.
In the end, George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" remains a timeless classic that not only topped the charts multiple times but also sparked a legal dispute that ultimately favored the late musician.