All Things Must Pass Songs Ranked
All Things Must Pass is the third studio album by English rock musician George Harrison. Released as a triple album in November 1970, it was Harrison’s first solo work after the break-up of the Beatles in April that year. It includes the hit singles “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life”, as well as songs such as “Isn’t It a Pity” and the title track that had been overlooked for inclusion on releases by the Beatles. The album reflects the influence of Harrison’s musical activities with artists such as Bob Dylan, the Band, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and Billy Preston during 1968–70, and his growth as an artist beyond his supporting role to former bandmates John Lennon and Paul McCartney. All Things Must Pass introduced Harrison’s signature slide guitar sound and the spiritual themes present throughout his subsequent solo work. The original vinyl release consisted of two LPs of songs and a third disc of informal jams titled Apple Jam. Several commentators interpret Barry Feinstein’s album cover photo, showing Harrison surrounded by four garden gnomes, as a statement on his independence from the Beatles. Here are all of All Things Must Pass songs ranked.
Click below and listen to one of the original members of The Beatles. Reminisce the songs of George Harrison.
10. The Art of Dying
“The title made me think of Led Zeppelin, which makes it eerie that its opening solo is completely reminiscent of something that Plant would’ve been doing at around this time. As the song settles down and George enters, a lower guitar plays a very driving bluesy riff. It’s pretty clear that the ground under my feet has propelled me back up to dry land. There’s so much emotion in the way George goes about this one. One of the absolute best songs so far.”
9. Apple Scruffs
“Folky, poppy, and…oh come on, how many times do I have to say the same thing? This is a song that is exactly like the others on this album. For that reason, I don’t think too highly of it. Repetition doesn’t work well in gaining my favor, and this throwaway song is one that I’ll be forgetting promptly.”
8. Beware of Darkness
“There is a subtle fluctuation in this song between major and minor sounds. I typically don’t dig this sort of thing, but George makes it interesting for the beginning of the song. This song has a very light but noticeable swelling as it marches on; visualization is, for once, possible on this album with the inclusion of this song. I imagine a desolate suburban landscape, but there’s an atmosphere of hope.”
See more: George Harrison Albums Ranked
7. My Sweet Lord
“After the last sixteen minutes of listening to guitar improvisation, I’ve almost forgotten what album I’m listening to. Harrison resuscitates the lighter, folkier pop/rock of earlier songs on this disc one side A track. It doesn’t jump out at me, but it’s got that nice George sound to it, so I mean…can I really complain?”
6. Awaiting On You All
“It’s a proverbial blessing that my makeshift album should end on such a resolving and fun song. I thought a song much like the opener would end up ruining the momentum that I struggled so hard to achieve on this long Monday morning, but I’m delighted to know that one of the best and catchiest songs to come has been waiting for me at the very end.”
5. What Is Life
“Is that a statement or a question? Who cares, because all I can think about is the insanely good power pop opening that this song has. THAT was a big surprise, but what’s an even bigger surprise is that George’s entrance doesn’t kill this song’s momentum. “
See more: George Harrison Songs Ranked
4. Let It Down
“Either I know a song that is like this one, or I’ve visited this one secretly after having declared hatred for the album. Flowing like smooth jazz and swirling softly and freely, this song is a very gentle and almost pristine piece of pop. I feel like this is cliched slow dancing music, and while it sounds a little bit dated, George manages to make it something worth listening to.”
3. Isn’t It a Pity
“It’s a pity that, once again, we omit question marks from our questioning titles. It’s cool that the first version got selected before the second version by shuffle. I’m rambling. This is kind of a lengthy song, but that gives it room to grow.”
2. Run of the Mill
“The acoustic guitar that opens this song is a very nice touch, and is probably the most exciting thing to have happened thus far. George sounds more like George in this song than on the first one, which is a big plus considering that I like George’s songs in the Beatles (not as much as Paul’s, but…).”
1. Wah-Wah
“I want to hear The Flaming Lips cover this, because it sounds so perfectly like a song that they would write. The song’s structure, the vocal melody, the psychedelic sounds, the short occasional breaks of percussion…all of it! I wouldn’t be surprised if Wayne Coyne admitted that the band wrote all of their music after being inspired by this very song. Really cool tune that’s even cooler upon the realization that I’ve just had.”