The Beatles’ George Harrison had a fascinating story behind a song he almost gave away but ultimately decided to keep for himself.
After their deep dive into transcendental meditation, The Beatles emerged with an impressive cache of songs—more than they could fully utilize. This exploration of consciousness opened new avenues for creativity, leading John Lennon and Paul McCartney to invest more time in their individual skills rather than always collaborating. During this period, as the band began recording demos with Harrison, he was prepared with a folk-inspired track that captured his unique voice.
The iconic White Album became a milestone in the band’s evolution, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and featuring more contributions from Harrison than any previous album, totaling four tracks. Among these was the classic ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’ but another song, ‘Not Guilty,’ didn’t quite make the cut during the studio sessions.
Listening back to the Anthology recordings, it’s apparent that the version Harrison was developing at the time featured a steady acoustic guitar, complemented by his soothing vocals. Given Harrison's typically relaxed persona, he never envisioned this song being part of a Beatles project.
In discussing the song’s themes, Harrison explained that the lyrics stemmed from his struggles to voice his opinions amidst the dominant presence of Lennon and McCartney. He recalled a conversation with Rolling Stone where he expressed, "‘Not guilty for getting in your way/While you’re trying to steal the day’ – that was my attempt at carving out space for myself."
"I actually wrote that in 1968, after returning from our Maharishi trip in Rishikesh, and it was intended for the White Album," Harrison elaborated. "We did record it, but it just didn’t come together as we hoped. I forgot about it until I stumbled upon an old demo from the Sixties a year ago."
However, upon reflection, Harrison wasn’t entirely satisfied with the song, describing the lyrics as somewhat outdated, reflecting his frustrations during that era: "The lyrics are a bit passé—focused on upsetting 'Apple carts' and all that—yet they capture the essence of what was happening at the time. The lines about feeling guilty for taking up space and making connections, particularly with themes around the Maharishi and our travels to the Himalayas, resonate with that chapter of my life."
Harrison considered the possibility of giving this song to renowned vocalist Peggy Lee, admitting, "I really like the tune; it would suit someone like Peggy Lee perfectly." Even though he had a strong rock background, one can easily imagine Lee's distinctive voice elevating the song, which features a catchy melody and incisive lyrics.
Instead of refining ‘Not Guilty’ for release at that moment, Harrison ultimately shelved it for a while. He later resurrected it for his self-titled solo album in the 1970s. Compared to the rough demo, Harrison’s finalized version exudes a mellow vibe, echoing the folk music movement of that period.
More importantly, this track represented a significant shift in Harrison’s songwriting. Frequently overshadowed by his more vocal bandmates, the ‘Quiet Beatle’ often transformed his pent-up frustration into powerful music, famously channeling such feelings into his solo track ‘Wah-Wah’ after a brief departure from the band during the Let It Be sessions.
Although Harrison consistently attempted to infuse his ideas into The Beatles’ collective works, it’s understandable why he contemplated sharing some of his songs with other artists. With his bandmates focusing heavily on their own creations, Harrison likely recognized the numerous musicians eager to collaborate with him, even offering tracks like ‘Something’ to Joe Cocker before crafting his own memorable rendition for Abbey Road.
Nonetheless, Harrison’s days of writing for others were numbered. Following his departure from The Beatles, he sought every opportunity to express his musical vision. His landmark album, All Things Must Pass, marked a bold step toward establishing himself as a solo artist. Although the White Album was rife with tension, ‘Not Guilty’ offers a glimpse into the future direction of Harrison’s artistic journey.
