The late George Harrison was responsible for composing many memorable songs for both The Beatles and his own solo career. Harrison usually wrote tunes by himself, but there were quite a few instances where he collaborated with other artists, sometimes for those musicians’ projects and sometimes for his own.
Spotify recently debuted a “George Harrison Co-Writes” playlist featuring more than 50 songs Harrison wrote in collaboration with other artists.
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Here are four noteworthy tunes that appear on the playlist:
“Badge” – Cream (1968)
Harrison helped Eric Clapton write “Badge” while Clapton was working on a tune to contribute to Cream’s 1969 farewell album, Goodbye. The song never mentions the word “badge,” and the title came about because of a humorous misunderstanding.
The tune initially didn’t have a title, but Harrison had written the lyrics on a sheet of paper, and included the word “bridge” to denote where the bridge of the track was to be played. In a 1977 interview with Crawdaddy magazine, Harrison recalled that Clapton looked at the sheet upside down and, misreading his handwriting, asked him, “What’s ‘badge’?”
Harrison also contributed rhythm guitar to the track under the pseudonym L’Angelo Misterioso. “Badge” became a hit in the U.K., peaking at No. 18 on the singles chart. It didn’t fare as well in the U.S., only reaching No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Having said that, “Badge” went on to become a classic-rock radio staple.
“Photograph” – Ringo Starr (1973)
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr enjoyed his biggest solo success with his third studio album, Ringo, which was released in 1973. The star-studded project included songwriting and musical contributions from all three of Starr’s former Beatles bandmates.
Harrison is credited with writing or co-writing three songs on the Ringo album, including “Photograph,” which he composed with Starr. “Photograph” became Ringo’s first solo single to top the Billboard Hot 100, spending a week at No. 1 in November 1973.
Harrison also played 12-string guitar and sang backing vocals on the track. Other musicians who played on the song included sax player Bobby Keys, pianist Nicky Hopkins, and bassist Klaus Voormann. Starr shared drumming duties with acclaimed session musician Jim Keltner.
“When We Was Fab” – George Harrison (1987)
Harrison made a big comeback with his 1987 solo album Cloud Nine. The record was co-produced by Harrison and Electric Light Orchestra frontman Jeff Lynne. Lynne, who would soon team up with Harrison in the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, co-wrote three songs on Cloud Nine with George.
One of those tunes was “When We Was Fab,” a nostalgic homage to Harrison old band The Beatles. The song became George’s last Top-40 solo hit on the Hot 100, reaching No. 23 in 1988.
The track featured Lynne on bass and keyboards, Starr on drums, and Harrison’s pal Gary Wright on piano. Lynne and Starr also contribute backing vocals to the tune.
“Handle with Care” – Traveling Wilburys (1988)
In 1988, Harrison formed perhaps the most super of all supergroups, the Traveling Wilburys, along with Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Each member of the group took on an alter-ego Wilbury brother name, with Harrison known as Nelson Wilbury.
The group released its debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, in October 1988. The songs for all of the album’s tracks were credited collectively to the band’s five members.
The lead single and first track on the album was the pop-rock gem “Handle with Care.” The song peaked at No. 21 on the U.K. singles chart and No. 45 on the Hot 100. It also reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Album Rock Tracks tally.
The writing and recording of “Handle with Care” led to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys. Harrison had begun writing the song, and wanted to meet Lynne for dinner to discuss recording it with the ELO star. At the time, Lynne was working on Orbison’s upcoming album, Mystery Girl, and Roy wound up at the dinner too, and expressed interest in attending the session.
Harrison then asked Dylan, his longtime friend, if he could use Bob’s home studio in Malibu, California, to record the track. Petty was invited to come along on the second day of recording for the tune. While the five stars were gathered at Dylan’s house, they all ended up contributing lyrics to “Handle with Care.”
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