3 George Harrison Songs That Show a Different Side of the Rock Icon
The article highlights three George Harrison recordings that challenge the image of him as mainly a spiritual, folk-leaning songwriter. They show him exploring funk, jazz and experimental electronics, reflecting the range of his solo work.
“It’s What You Value” brings a brighter, funkier and more commercial sound; a jazz standard on the posthumous album *Brainwashed* is reworked with ukulele; and an instrumental uses early Moog synthesiser sounds to create an avant-garde effect. The article presents the tracks as departures from Harrison’s familiar style and, in the synthesiser piece, from the sound associated with The Beatles.
In short
- Harrison’s solo work ranged beyond his familiar spiritual folk sound.
- One track leans into funk and commercial pop.
- Another pairs a jazz standard with ukulele and Moog experiments.
Explained simply
George Harrison was a singer, songwriter and guitarist who first became widely known as a member of The Beatles. After the band split in 1970, he released solo records that drew on Indian music and spiritual themes as well as rock and folk.
Harrison’s solo career also included experiments with different sounds and instruments. Funk and jazz influences, ukulele arrangements and early electronic instruments sit alongside the styles many listeners associate with him. These recordings help show the range of his work beyond his best-known songs.