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"When We Was Fab" is a song by English musician George Harrison, which he released on his 1987 album '' Cloud Nine''. It was also issued as the second single from the album, in January 1988. The lyrics serve as a nostalgic reflection by Harrison on the days of Beatlemania during the 1960s, when
the Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developmen ...
were first referred to as "the Fab Four". Harrison co-wrote the song with
Jeff Lynne Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder of the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), which was formed in 1970. As a songwriter, he has cont ...
, who also co-produced the track. The recording references the psychedelic sound that the Beatles had helped popularise in 1967, through its use of
sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form ...
, cello, and backwards-relayed effects. Harrison's former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr is among the other musicians on the track. The single was accompanied by an innovative music video, directed by the partnership of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. One of Harrison's most popular songs, "When We Was Fab" has appeared on the compilations ''
Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 ''Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989'' is a compilation album by English musician George Harrison, released in October 1989. His second compilation, after the Capitol/ EMI collection ''The Best of George Harrison'' (1976), it contains songs from Harr ...
'' (1989) and '' Let It Roll'' (2009).


Music

"When We Was Fab" has similarities to songs by the Beatles, such as "
I Am the Walrus "I Am the Walrus" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1967 television film ''Magical Mystery Tour''. Written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was released as the B-side to the single "Hello, Goodbye" a ...
" (1967). The fadeout contains a nod to the melody of " Drive My Car". It uses a string quartet and psychedelic effects as did many Beatles songs.


Release

In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 25 on the
UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, and in the United States, the song peaked at number 23 on '' Billboard'' magazine's Hot 100 chart. It was Harrison's last top 40 hit in the US, and the second such hit in which the lyrics reflect on his years as a Beatle – the other being " All Those Years Ago" (1981). '' Cash Box'' said that "Harrison and Jeff Lynne unveil a historical re-creation of the Beatles' career wrapped up in one song. Complete with cellos, George Martin-like edits, sitars, and time machine. Sounds like a Beatles song circa ''
Magical Mystery Tour ''Magical Mystery Tour'' is a record by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a double EP in the United Kingdom and an LP in the United States. It includes the soundtrack to the 1967 television film of the same name. The EP ...
''.". In 2010, AOL radio listeners chose "When We Was Fab" as one of the ''10 Best George Harrison Songs'', placing it number 9 on the list.


Track listings

*7" W8131 #"When We Was Fab" – 3:59 #"Zig Zag" – 2:45 *12" W8131T, 12" picture disc W8131TP, 3" CD W8131CD #"When We Was Fab" (unextended version) #"Zig Zag" – 2:45 #" That's the Way It Goes" (remix) #"When We Was Fab" (reverse end)


Cover art

The single cover incorporates
Klaus Voormann Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann (born 29 April 1938) is a German artist, musician, and record producer. Voormann was the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969, and performed as a session musician on a host of recordings, including " You're So ...
's 1966 line drawing of Harrison, which was used in the album art for the Beatles's 1966 album '' Revolver'', and on which the letters ER from the title are visible, along with a similar, updated drawing of Harrison 22 years later.


Music video

The
music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...
that accompanied the song was directed by
Godley & Creme Godley & Creme were an English rock duo formally established in Manchester in 1977 by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The pair began releasing music as a duo after their departure from the rock band 10cc. In 1979, they directed their first music v ...
. It features a many-armed Harrison busking in front of a brick wall, as numerous people on the street pass him by, including many British musicians with whom Harrison had previously collaborated. Most prominent amongst these are Ringo Starr, who appears first as Harrison's roadie and then as a drummer, and
Jeff Lynne Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder of the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), which was formed in 1970. As a songwriter, he has cont ...
, both of whom also played on the track. Elton John makes an appearance, putting a coin in Harrison's cup, as does percussionist Ray Cooper, and
Neil Aspinall Neil Stanley Aspinall (13 October 1941 24 March 2008) was a British music industry executive. A school friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he went on to head the Beatles' company Apple Corps. The Beatles employed Aspinall first as t ...
, the Beatles' former road manager, assistant, and later head of
Apple Corps Apple Corps Limited (informally known as Apple) is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in London in January 1968 by the members of the Beatles to replace their earlier company (Beatles Ltd.) and to form a conglomerate. Its name (pron ...
, holding a copy of
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
's 1971 ''
Imagine Imagine may refer to: * Imagination Music Albums * ''Imagine'' (Armin van Buuren album), 2008 * ''Imagine'' (Eva Cassidy album), 2002 * ''Imagine'' (Janice Vidal album), 2012 * ''Imagine'' (John Lennon album), 1971 ** ''Imagine: John Lennon' ...
'' album.
Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...
was for a long time rumoured to have appeared in the walrus suit, playing the bass, after Harrison stated in a televised interview that it was indeed McCartney in the video, "but he was camera shy that day and he kept his walrus mask on." The bassist in the video is playing left handed, thus implying that it is at least intended as a reference to McCartney; however, in a 1995 interview, McCartney said, "George wanted me to be in it but I wasn't available. So I suggested that he put someone else in the walrus and tell everyone that it was me." Though Paul Simon has been rumoured to be the figure pushing a cart, in 2020 director
Kevin Godley Kevin Michael Godley (born 7 October 1945) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and music video director. He is known as the singer and drummer of the art rock band 10cc and later as part of collaboration duo Godley & Creme with Lol Creme ...
told the ''Nothing Is Real'' podcast he had no recollection of Simon being involved. Co-director
Lol Creme Laurence Neil "Lol" Creme (born 19 September 1947) is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings and plays guitar, bass and keyboards. Biography Creme was born in Prestwich, Lancashire, England. L ...
similarly denied Simon's involvement in the video, stating that he had never "met Paul Simon". The video includes numerous visual metaphors and references to Harrison's time with the Beatles, including a green apple (the logo of
Apple Records Apple Records is a record label founded by the Beatles in 1968 as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for the Beatles, both as a group and individually, plus a selection of other artists including Ma ...
, the Beatles'
label A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed ...
), Harrison wearing his iconic outfit from the cover of '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'', and having multiple arms, evoking the many-armed gods of Hindu traditions. The video received six nominations at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, including best art director for Sid Bartholomew.


Personnel

* George Harrison – lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards,
sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form ...
, backing vocals *
Jeff Lynne Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder of the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), which was formed in 1970. As a songwriter, he has cont ...
 – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals *
Gary Wright Gary Malcolm Wright (born April 26, 1943) is an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs "Dream Weaver" and " Love Is Alive", and for his role in helping establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in rock and pop ...
 – piano * Ringo Starr – drums, backing vocals * Bobby Kok – cello


Chart performance


External links


George Harrison - When We Was Fab
at Graham Calkin's Beatles Pages. *


References

{{George Harrison singles 1987 songs 1988 singles George Harrison songs Songs written by George Harrison Songs written by Jeff Lynne Song recordings produced by Jeff Lynne Song recordings produced by George Harrison Music videos directed by Godley and Creme Albums with cover art by Klaus Voormann Music published by Oops Publishing and Ganga Publishing, B.V. Dark Horse Records singles Songs about the Beatles Songs about nostalgia Psychedelic rock songs