"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a rock song by The Beatles from the double album The Beatles (also known as The White Album). For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... A song is a relatively short musical composition. ... The White Album, see The Beatles (album). ... A double album is an audio album of sufficient length that two units of the medium in which it is sold (especially records and compact discs) are necessary to contain the entirety of it. ... The Beatles U.S. chronology The Beatles is the ninth official album by The Beatles, a double album released in 1968 (see 1968 in music). ...

It was written by George Harrison, who originally performed it with a solo acoustic guitar and an organ; a demo version, longer than the officially released version, can be heard on the Anthology 3 album and in reworked form on the Love album. Eric Clapton played lead guitar on the album version of the song with a Gibson Les Paul guitar. On The Concert for Bangladesh, he performed it on a Gibson Super 400 hollowbody guitar, and later acknowledged that a solid-body guitar would have been more appropriate.^[1] A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For other persons named George Harrison, see George Harrison (disambiguation). ... A musical composition is a piece of original music designed for repeated performance (as opposed to strictly improvisational music, in which each performance is unique). ... In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer (solo is an Italian word literally meaning alone). ... Playing a steel-string guitar without a pick (fingerpicking). ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Organ in Katharinenkirche, Frankfurt am Main, Germany The organ is a keyboard instrument played using one or more manuals and a pedalboard. ... The Beatles Anthology 3 was released in October 1996, and includes rarities and alternatives tracks from the final two years of their career as a band ranging from the initial sessions for the White Album through to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in January 1970. ... Love is a soundtrack compilation album by The Beatles released in November 2006. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is an Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Lead guitar refers to a role within a band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ... The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most recognizable solid-body electric guitar designs in the world. ... This article is about the concert and film. ...

In 2004 George Harrison was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was played in tribute by fellow inductee Prince, along with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Dhani Harrison (video). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ... Due to technical limitations, some web browsers may not display some special characters in this article. ... Thomas Earl Tom Petty (born October 20, 1950) is a singer and guitarist. ... Jeff Lynne (born December 30, 1947) is a Grammy Award-winning English rock songwriter, singer, guitarist and record producer. ... Dhani Harrison (born August 1, 1978) is an English musician. ...

It is in the Key of Am

The song was ranked #135 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This article is about the magazine. ... ...

Composition and recording

According to Harrison, inspiration for the song came from reading the I Ching, which, as he put it, "seemed to me to be based on the Eastern concept that everything is relative to everything else, as opposed to the Western view that things are merely coincidental." Alternative meaning: I Ching (monk) The I Ching (Traditional Chinese: 易經, pinyin y jīng; Cantonese IPA: jɪk6gɪŋ1; Cantonese Jyutping: jik6ging1; alternative romanizations include I Jing, Yi Ching, Yi King) is the oldest of the Chinese classic texts. ... The term Eastern world refers very broadly to the various cultures, social structures and philosophical systems of the East, namely Asia (including China, India, Japan, and surrounding regions). ... The term Western world, the West or the Occident (Latin occidens -sunset, -west, as distinct from the Orient) [1] can have multiple meanings dependent on its context (e. ...

Taking this idea of relativism to his parents' home in the North of England, Harrison committed to write a song based on the first words he saw upon opening a random book. Those first words were "gently weeps", and he immediately began the song. Compare Moral relativism, Aesthetic relativism, Social constructionism and Cultural relativism. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

The initial incarnation was not final; Harrison later said: "Some of the words to the song were changed before I finally recorded it." A demo recorded at George's home in Esher includes an unused verse: For other persons named George Harrison, see George Harrison (disambiguation). ...

I look at the trouble and see that it's raging,

While my guitar gently weeps.

As I'm sitting here, doing nothing but aging,

Still, my guitar gently weeps.

An early acoustic guitar/organ take of the song, released on Anthology 3 and also used as the basis of the LOVE remix, featured a slightly different third verse: The Beatles Anthology 3 was released in October 1996, and includes rarities and alternatives tracks from the final two years of their career as a band ranging from the initial sessions for the White Album through to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in January 1970. ... Love is a soundtrack compilation album by The Beatles released in November 2006. ...

I look from the wings at the play you are staging,

While my guitar gently weeps.

As I'm sitting here, doing nothing but aging,

Still, my guitar gently weeps.

The composition was met with little to no interest by the other Beatles. The band recorded it multiple times, at first in the aforementioned acoustic style, and later in an electric version featuring a backward guitar solo (as Harrison had done in "I'm Only Sleeping" on Revolver), but no version seemed to work. Let down but undaunted, Harrison invited his friend Eric Clapton to join him during a day's recording session. Despite Clapton's doubts ("Nobody ever plays on the Beatles' records"), Harrison convinced him otherwise. The inclusion of Clapton allowed for two things: a moment's relief from the inner turmoil the band was experiencing and a chance for Harrison to free himself of lead guitar, playing only rhythm and vocal. The White Album, see The Beatles (album). ... rEVOLVEr (2004) is the fourth studio album release by Swedish thrash metal band The Haunted. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is an Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Rhythm guitar is a guitar that is primarily used to provide rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment for a singer or for other instruments in an ensemble. ...

Some have questioned whether the famous solo in "Gently Weeps" is actually played by Clapton; it has been rumoured that the solo was re-recorded and that Clapton's solo was not the one that was pressed. Indeed, the style is reminiscent of Harrison's later lead guitar style, as demonstrated throughout Abbey Road and in his solo work. However, Harrison has said of the solo: Abbey Road can refer to: Abbey Road (street), a street in London, England Abbey Road Studios, a recording studio complex owned by the EMI company Abbey Road (album), by The Beatles, 1969 The Abbey Road E.P., by Red Hot Chili Peppers Abbey Road (unreleased b side) , by Tori Amos...

"So Eric played that, and I thought it was really good. Then we listened to it back, and he said, "Ah, there's a problem though; it's not Beatley enough." So we put it through the ADT [automatic double-track] to wobble it up a bit." Automatic double tracking (ADT) was an electronic system designed to augment the sound of voices and instruments during the recording process. ...

A popular belief and "clue" to the infamous Paul is Dead urban legend is that towards the end of the song, during the Clapton solo, Harrison cries out a moan something like "Paul, oh Paul, oh Paul." This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On 14 July 1992, Harrison and Clapton performed a live version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in Japan. This live version also has background vocals. is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

An acoustic version can be found on the 1996 album Anthology 3, and again on the 2006 soundtrack to the Cirque du Soleil show Love. This demo version features only Harrison; it includes an additional final verse not included on the Beatles' final version, and the Love album includes a string accompaniment (arranged by George Martin). The Beatles Anthology 3 was released in October 1996, and includes rarities and alternatives tracks from the final two years of their career as a band ranging from the initial sessions for the White Album through to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in January 1970. ... Love is a soundtrack compilation album by The Beatles released in November 2006. ... Cirque du Soleil (French for Circus of the Sun) is an entertainment empire based in Montréal, Québec Canada and founded in Baie-Saint-Paul, Québec in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. ... Love by Cirque du Soleil at Mirage Las Vegas Love is a 2006 theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which combines the re-produced and re-imagined music of The Beatles with an interpretive, circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance. ... For other uses, see George Martin (disambiguation). ...

Concert for George

On 29 November 2002 Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Eric Clapton performed "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Concert for George in memory of Harrison, who died a year earlier after a long battle with cancer. This version featured Eric Clapton playing his original solo and also a second in memorial to his good friend. is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who first gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award and Grammy Award winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer of The Beatles. ... Dhani Harrison (born August 1, 1978) is an English musician. ... Jeff Lynne (born December 30, 1947) is a Grammy Award-winning English rock songwriter, singer, guitarist and record producer. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is an Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... DVD Cover For the released album, see Concert for George (album). ... For other persons named George Harrison, see George Harrison (disambiguation). ...

Cover versions

The song has been covered by various groups and artists. In pop music a cover version is a new rendition of a previously recorded song. ...

• Vinnie Moore, on his album Time Odyssey, made an instrumental version of it, playing the voice melody with his guitar.
• Peter Frampton, on the album Now.
• Russ Freeman, on the album (I got no kick against) Modern jazz.
• The Jeff Healey Band, on the album Hell To Pay.
• Kenny Lattimore, on the album From the Soul of a Man.
• Phish, in concert numerous times, initially at the Glen Falls Civic Center (Glen Falls, NY) on October 31, 1994 when they played the entire White Album, versions released on the albums Live Phish Volume 8, Live Phish Volume 13.
• Yaruch Bann, on the album Msspcd.
• Kenny Rankin, on the album The Kenny Rankin Album.
• The Rippingtons, on the album Brave New World.
• Spineshank, on the album Strictly Diesel.
• Joe Louis Walker, on the album The Blues White album.
• Floyd Pepper from The Muppets, on the album The Muppet Show Music Album.
• Jake Shimabukuro, utilizing a ukelele in place of the guitar portions of the song, on the album Gently Weeps.
• Toto, on the album Through The Looking Glass.
• Powderfinger, live.
• Eric Roche, on the album Spin.
• Yellow Matter Custard, live.
• Damon and Naomi, on the album The Earth is Blue.
• Mägo de Oz, live.
• Rick Wakeman, on the album Tribute, a collection of Beatle covers (1997)
• Built to Spill, numerous times live
• Todd Rundgren, on the live DVD Liars, and live on the Liars Tour.
• The Drowners

Vinnie Moore at Dallas Guitar Show 2005 Vinnie Moore (April 14, 1964, New Castle, Delaware) plays melodic instrumental rock. ... Time Odyssey is a Vinnie Moore album recorded in February and released on July 18, 1988. ... Peter Kenneth Frampton (born April 22, 1950 in Beckenham, Kent) is an English musician, best known today for his solo work in the mid-1970s and as one of the original members of the band Humble Pie. ... Look up now in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Russ Freeman (pianist)(1926-2002) is a jazz pianist. ... Jeff Healey (born March 25, 1966) is a Canadian blues-rock guitarist. ... Kenny Lattimore (born April 10, 1970) is an American R&B singer. ... This article is about the band. ... The self-titled double album The Beatles, released by the Beatles in 1968 at the height of their popularity, is often hailed as one of the major accomplishments in popular music. ... Live Phish Vol. ... Live Phish Vol. ... Jazz guitar player and singer. ... The Rippingtons are a contemporary or Fusion jazz group that are often considered Smooth jazz. ... Spineshank was an American industrial-influenced nu metal[1] band. ... Strictly Diesel is the 1998 debut album from the band Spineshank. ... Joe Louis Walker (born December 25, 1949 in San Francisco, California) is an American blues guitarist, singer and producer. ... The Muppets are a group of puppets and costume characters, and the company created by Jim Henson. ... Album cover for Dragon Jake Shimabukuro (born November 3, 1976 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is a young ukulele virtuoso known for his lightning-fast fingers. ... Ukulele The ukulele (pronounced OO-koo-LAY-lay, or the Anglicised YOU-ka-LAY-lee), or uke, is a fretted string instrument which is, in its construction, essentially a smaller, four-stringed version of the guitar. ... Gently Weeps is the fifth solo album by ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro. ... Toto (IPA pronunciation: ) is a Grammy Award winning American rock band that was founded in 1976 by some of the most popular and experienced session musicians of the era. ... Through the Looking Glass is the 10th album by the American Band Toto. ... Powderfinger is an Australian rock band. ... Eric Roche (4 December 1967 - 6 September 2005)[1] was a fingerstyle guitar virtuoso who died from throat cancer. ... Yellow Matter Custard is a Beatles cover band consisting of Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Neal Morse (ex-Spocks Beard), Paul Gilbert (Racer X, ex-Mr. ... Damon & Naomi are an American folk-rock duo formed in 1991 by Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang formerly of Galaxie 500. ... Mägo de Oz Mägo de Oz (Wizard of Oz with a heavy-metal umlaut) is a Spanish folk metal band formed in mid-1989 by drummer Txus. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Built to Spill is an American indie rock band based in Boise, Idaho. ... Todd Harry Rundgren (born June 22, 1948 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, USA), is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. ... The Drowners is the debut single by Suede, released on May 11, 1992 on Nude Records. ...

Notes

1. ^ The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited with George Harrison and Friends, DVD, 2005.

External links

• Song lyrics