The Inner Light: Introduction
“The Inner Light” is the B-side to The Beatles’ 1968 single, “Lady Madonna.” Therefore, it wasn’t available on an album until the compilation albums came out. However, on their “Love” album, part of the track is mixed with “Here Comes The Sun.” This happens at the end of the song, as it ends with the Indian instrumentation from “The Inner Light.”
In Detail
- Release Date: March 15, 1968 (UK), also March 18, 1968 (US)
- Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (A-side is “Lady Madonna”), also album track
- Recorded: January 12, 1968; also February 6 & 8, 1968
- Studio: HMV Studios, Bombay; also at the EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Indian music, raga rock
- Track Duration: 2:36
- Record Label: Parlophone (UK), Capitol (US)
- Songwriter: George Harrison
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineers: Geoff Emerick, JP Sen, and SN Gupta
Performers And Instruments
- George Harrison: lead vocals, direction
- John Lennon: harmony vocals
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocals
Other Performers
- Aashish Khan: sarod
- Hanuman Jadev: shehnai
- Hariprasad Chaurasia: bansuri
- Mahapurush Misra: pakhavaj
- Rijram Desad: harmonium
- Uncredited: tabla tarang
Where To Find “The Inner Light”
You can still buy this track because it is on the following releases:
**Grab the single or the Paste Masters album if you only require the original version of this song.
The Inner Light: Background
George Harrison wrote “The Inner Light,” and this was his first composition to appear on a Beatles’ single. At the time, the band was embracing transcendental meditation, which they were studying while in India under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Indeed, the release of Harrison’s work on a single reflects this.
“In the original poem, the verse says, “Without going out of my door, I can know the ways of heaven.” And so to prevent any misinterpretations—and also to make the song a bit longer—I did repeat that as a second verse but made it: “Without going out of your door / You can know all things on earth / Without looking out of your window / You can know the ways of heaven“—so that it included everybody.”
George Harrison
I, Me, Mine
Recording Studio
“The Inner Light” is the only Beatles’ studio recording that comes from outside Europe. Harrison also added new instruments to the band’s sound, such as the sarod, the shehnai, and the pakhavaj.
On January 12, 1968, at the HMV Studios in Bombay, India, George Harrison began recording the instrumental track. Using some of India’s best classical players, they recorded five takes.
Harrison was in India at the time because he was working on his first solo album, “Wonderwall Music.” This was the soundtrack to a Joe Massot film, “Wonderwall.”
Massot approached Harrison to do the soundtrack after he met The Beatles during the filming of the movie, Help!
Harrison was a bit reluctant because he had never done anything like this before. However, Massot assured Harrison that he would use anything he produced.
George Harrison was keen to further promote Indian music, which he had previously done on other recordings like “Love You To” and “Within You Without You,” so he took the job. With his new artistic freedom, Harrison created much Indian music mixed together with pieces of rock and other Western musical styles.
On this particular track, George Harrison only directed the musicians and never played any instruments. He then added his lead vocal at the EMI Studios in London on the 6th. Then, on February 8, 1968, John Lennon and Paul McCartney added the backing vocals.
Chart Success
Being the B-side of a hugely successful single, “Lady Madonna,” “The Inner Light” got much exposure. Of course, the single itself got to number one in numerous countries, including the UK.
Take A Listen
For some, the introduction to Indian music in Beatles songs was unpalatable. However, give this song a chance. Then, let us know your thoughts about this.
