My Sweet Lord Trivia Quiz

Answer: All Things Must Pass

"All Things Must Pass" (1970) was released by George Harrison just a few months after the Beatles broke up. He was, in fact, the first member of the Beatles to release a solo album. It was, however, more than just a solo album; it was a triple album, with most of its works (23 tracks altogether) coming from songs that George had originally written for the Beatles.

He was a very prolific songwriter, but so were John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Albums released by the Beatles typically only had one or two songs that George had written. Hit singles on the triple album included "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life". Before his death, the album was reissued in honor of the 30th anniversary of its release.

The Recording Industry Association of America certified it six times platinum in 2001.

Answer: Krishna

It is said that while the Beatles were filming "Help!" (1965) they were given a copy of a Hindu book on reincarnation; they all became interested in Indian cultures at that time. In 1966 George and his wife, Patti Boyd, took a trip to Mumbai to meet with Hindu teachers, or gurus, and two years later all of the Beatles went to India to study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, George became involved with the Hare Krishna movement, and remained a devotee until his death - the only former Beatle who chose to continue his study of this religion.

Answer: Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr played drums and percussion on the original version of "My Sweet Lord" that was recorded in 1970. In fact, there is a quite of long list of stellar musicians who played on the original recording, including Eric Clapton (acoustic guitar), Billy Preston (piano), and all the members of the band Badfinger, which included Pete Ham (acoustic guitar), Tom Evans (acoustic guitar), Joey Molland (acoustic guitar), and Mike Gibbins (tambourine).

Answer: True

The chorus of the song included the words:

"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama".

These words are the first twelve of what is commonly called the Hare Krishna mantra, or the Maha mantra. It is said that these are the words with which George most identified. His belief was discussed in a 2011 biography called "George Harrison: Living in the Material World", where he was quoted as saying, "First, it's simple. The thing about a mantra, you see... mantras are, well, they call it a mystical sound vibration encased in a syllable. It has this power within it. It's just hypnotic".

Answer: Hallelujah

In 1980 George wrote in his autobiography that "Hallelujah" and "Hare Krishna" mean "quite the same thing". It was met with mixed reviews by Christians. While some took the song as being anti-Christian, others adopted it as an anthem, commenting that all religions could address their deities in the same way - by calling them "My Sweet Lord". What many say that George was trying to do was state his desire for a relationship with God, a desire that he spoke about quite often.

The producer of the album on which the song was included did state that George was very concerned about how this song with such a strong religious theme would be accepted.

Answer: Uncredited

Alan White who played with "Yes", once claimed that he had been one of the drummers on the song, and there has also been talk that Peter Frampton may have added acoustic guitar after the initial session. Some sources claim that John Lennon played rhythm guitar. None of those claims have ever been substantiated.

It is very easy to hear the influences of Indian music on the song, including a zither, and George, who played slide-guitar, used it to simulate other traditional Indian string instruments.

The person who played the zither, however, was left uncredited.

Answer: False

By the end of 1971 the song, "My Sweet Lord", was voted "Single of the Year" and "World's Single of the Year by "Melody Maker", a British newspaper. "Record World", a U.S. publication, named the song the top single of the year, and George Harrison was named as "Top Male Vocalist of 1971".

"My Sweet Lord" was nominated for the 1972 Grammy Award for Record of the Year, along with "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes, and "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor. The winner was "It's Too Late" by Carole King.

Answer: Billy Preston

During the time George was writing the song he was touring as a guest with Delaney and Bonnie. Eric Clapton and Billy Preston were also touring as guests at the same time. George had already written some religiously influenced songs, and he once said that after the tour was over, while some of the others were being interviewed in Denmark, he wrote the chords and members of the group even helped him develop some of the lyrics. Billy Preston helped him finish the lyrics upon their return to London and George, having no idea that he would ever record a solo album, offered the song to him to record. Preston's version was released in September of 1970 and never received the same fame as Harrison's.

It should be noted here that many people have covered the song, including Brian Wilson, Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, and Edwin Starr.

Answer: Abbey Road

The album which included "My Sweet Lord" was recorded at Abbey Road, using the same equipment that the Beatles had used. Phil Spector, who had produced "Let It Be" for the Beatles in 1970, was chosen to be the co-producer with George for the album. He also sang backup vocals.

Many famous albums, including most of the ones recorded by the Beatles and "The Dark Side of the Moon" (1973) by Pink Floyd have been produced at the Abbey Road studio.

Answer: He's So Fine

Apparently George had many friends who pointed out the similarities between "He's So Fine" (1963), that had been recorded by the Chiffons, and "My Sweet Lord" (1970). He even commented, "Why didn't I realise?", in "I Me Mine", which was originally published in 1980. Throughout the court case, George testified that his idea had come from "O Happy Day", a song that had been done by The Edwin Hawkins Singers; it was an uncopyrighted Christian hymn.

After a long and difficult case, the court eventually found that he had "subconsciously" copied "He's So Fine", and fined him $587,000.

He did, however, gain the rights to the song. Ringo Starr commented, "There's no doubt that the tune is similar but how many songs have been written with other melodies in mind? George's version is much heavier than The Chiffons - he might have done it with the original in the back of his mind, but he's just very unlucky that someone wanted to make it a test case in court".