Round 7, Pick 12, October 8, 2021, “Wah-Wah,” by George Harrison (and Friends) from, “All Things Must Pass.”
For me, today’s pick was down to two of my most favorite top 10 George Harrison tunes, this one and “Savoy Truffle.” Both of them are simultaneously silly songs and pivotal turning points for George’s life and musical career. Tossing a coin, “Wah-Wah” won out. I know at least a few people in the song draft are well-versed in the pedigree and history surrounding the song. For those readers who aren’t I would heartily encourage you to check out the plentiful info on it at wikipedia and probably a million other sources on the internet. To me, “Wah-Wah” was George’s declaration of Independence from The Beatles’ Way of doing business. It’s like he’s saying, thanks for what you’ve done for me, but it’s time to move on.
“Wah-Wah” is the third cut on side one of the six-sided, “All Things Must Pass,” released by George Harrison in November of 1970.
from wikipedia:
Recorded shortly after the Beatles’ break-up in 1970, “Wah-Wah” was the first track taped for All Things Must Pass. The recording features a dense production treatment from Phil Spector and backing from a large cast of musicians including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Bobby Keys and the band Badfinger. On release, Rolling Stone magazine described it as “a grand cacophony of sound in which horns sound like guitars and vice versa.” While several reviewers find the heavy production appropriate for the song, Harrison considered the recording overproduced and the sound too cluttered.
“Wah-Wah” was the first song Harrison played live as a solo artist when he performed it as his opener for the Western-music portion of the Concert for Bangladesh, in August 1971. Viewed by some commentators as superior to the studio recording, this version re-created Spector’s Wall of Sound treatment in a live setting, using many of the participants from the 1970 album sessions. At the Concert for George in November 2002, a year after Harrison’s death, “Wah-Wah” was performed by an all-star band that included Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Starr and McCartney.
More recently, George’s son, Dhani, put on, “George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison” in 2016, where Nick Valensi of The Strokes and a first-class backup band performed the song in ecstatic supremeness. I’m sure Geo was pleased by how Dhani pulled this group of musicians together to honor his music.
I’m in agreement with the reviewers in that Spector’s lush production was appropriate for the song. It’s as complex and tasty as a stew that’s been simmered all day with seasonings, put in the fridge overnight for the flavors to merry, and heated up the next day and served with still-warm sourdough bread. I could listen to, “Wah-Wah” on repeat and never grow tired of it. Geo may not have intended it as such, but I also like to listen to it as if it were a song between old lovers that have shared unforgettable memories with each other.
I’m including the studio version video with my post, but you can find the Bangladesh, Concert for George, and George Fest versions by clicking on the names in this sentence. I’m also really looking forward to reading thoughts and comments from others on this gem of a song.
Studio Version Wah-Wah youtube
“Wah-Wah”
Wah-wah
You’ve given me a wah-wah
And I’m thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you’ve given me your wah-wah, wah-wah
Oh, you don’t see me crying
Oh, you don’t hear me sighing
Wah-wah
I don’t need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free from the wah-wah
I don’t need no wah-wah
Oh, you don’t see me crying
Hey baby, you don’t hear me sighing
Oh, no no-no no
Wah-wah
Now I don’t need no wah-wah’s
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free – of wah-wah
I don’t need no wah-wah
Wah-wah [repeat and fade]
Sources:
never going to go far wrong with George. what a talent! I only listened to this album for the first time last year (obviously, I knew some of the tracks, but there were many I hadn’t heard)…not much in the way of weak spots anywhere on it.
Glad you like this one, Dave. I didn’t hear it all of the way through until a few years ago when I bought the box set of the Apple years, which also includes a DVD with some cool things on it. You’re right, it’s a winner through and through.
This is one of those great songs I forget about until someone mentions it again. Hearing it makes my heart soar. I love your song pick! I also enjoyed listening to Savoy Shuffle.
Diana, so happy to have brightened your day with these two songs 🙂
I just realized I typed Shuffle instead of Truffle! *embarrassed* Must proofread.
I didn’t notice, but I would love to see the lyrics shifted to dance moves instead of types of candy, wouldn’t you?
Dance moves would be awesome. 😀
You can shuffle for a truffle. It works. LOL!
Vic, since you know a *lot* about dances and such, I want to dare you to re-write the lyrics with shuffles instead of truffles! If you do, I’ll write you a poem on any topic you choose 🙂
I know a *lot* about a few dances and know a little about a *lot* of dances. I re-wrote the lyrics. Where shall I share?
Fantastic! You can share them where you choose, either here or at my blog — or both!
Tamborin and Moreago
A Giddha with a Poco-Poco
A Cocolo, yes, you know it’s good news
But you’ll have to have them all reviewed
After the Savoy Shuffle
Cool Chakacha, nice Apu Inka
I know your desire all the time we’re apart
A Contra Dance really blows down those blues
But you’ll have to have them all reviewed
After the Savoy Shuffle
You might not feel it now
But when the pain cuts through
You’re going to know and how
The sweat is going to fill your brow
When it becomes too much
You’ll shout aloud
[Instrumental/Solo]
But you’ll have to have them all reviewed
After the Savoy Shuffle
You know that what you dance you become
But what is so sweet is now done
We all know Ob-La-Di-Ob-Bla-Da
But can you show me where you’ve gone?
Tamborin and Moreago
A Giddha with a Poco-Poco
A Cocolo, yes, you know it’s good news
But you’ll have to have them all reviewed
After the Savoy Shuffle
Yes you’ll have to have them all reviewed
After the Savoy Shuffle
::::::: applause ::::::::: I knew you would do it up right 🙂
Heh. I love sweet treats & dancing. I’m not much of a lyricist or poet but, I can add to or modify stuff…with a little tongue in cheek. 😉😊🤓😎
You did great. Now we need to find a band to play it or someone to sing it. Max????
LOL! Yeah…Max. Heh.
OK, Vic, what person/place/thing/subject would you like your poem to be about?
Our Galactic Center of the Galaxy. Sagittarius’ Teapot spout tip points right to it. Have fun with that…
!!!!! Is the GCG Sagittarius’ teapot? or are these 2 different things??
The constellation of Sagittarius is an Archer and Centaur. There is a fixed star in that constellation that is/was called Alnasl…or Gamma2 Sagittarii, now. It is a main star that forms part of the archer’s bow and it is the tip of the teapot, pointing towards the center of our galaxy. I will send links to your blog.
:::scribbling notes::::
🤓
Excellent pick Lisa…like Dave said you can’t go wrong with George. A great song on a great album. The sound is so huge.
Thank you, Max. I love all of the sounds that interact with each other on this. I go to aural heaven when I listen to it.
aural heaven! I have to remember that.
🙂
As I’ve mentioned on previous posts about other songs, even though I’ve loved music my entire life, up until about 10 years ago I was mainly a Top 40/singles guy. Back in those days before YouTube or music streaming platforms came into existence, if a song wasn’t a chart hit that got played on the radio, I didn’t hear it unless I purchased the album or a friend played it for me. I loved, and bought, the 45 singles of both “My Sweet Lord” and “What is Life”, but didn’t buy the album “All Things Must Pass”, consequently, I never heard most of its tracks until only a few years ago.
At any rate, this is one of many great songs from Harrison’s masterpiece, and I commend your choice of it for the song draft Lisa.
I did the same. I loved those two songs, as well but, never got the album. I missed this track, too.
Vic, the whole album is so danged good. I hope one day you can hear it.
I’d bet that an actual album of it would be very expensive.
Looks like between $60-$65 (on amazon)
OY!
Jeff, thank you very much and I am so happy you managed to pull yourself out of that Top 40 state of listening. I was blessed to have an AOR station close enough to hear when I was a teenager and also friends, lovers, etc. that had AOR leanings. You’ve moved into another world of music now and it’s good to know you’ve heard the album now.
Yes, it was very limiting, which is why by the late 2000s I no longer had much interest in new music, as a lot of pop music was crap, dominated by shitty hip hop and cute but vapid teeny boppers. I’ve been playing catch-up for the past 10 years, and still discovering more music I’d previously missed out on hearing.
Jeff, I think we are all so far behind on hearing all music we will never catch up. I think God planned it that way 🙂
Well said.
This song has been popping up with ll sorts of folks I visit. I guess CB better pay attention. He’s meant to hear it..
You’re darn tootin you do!
Damn rights. Im listening to some “rootin tootin” music right now that I know George would have dug.
Oh? What is it? Wasn’t it you who told me about Muse? I got a couple of albums from the library and have been rocking out to them. I think Geo would have dug them also.
No on the Muse thing. Wasnt me. I was listening to some bluegrass and the harmonies always remind me of the Everly Brothers who I know George dug.
This is a good one, easily my favourite solo Beatles record.
I knew you had good taste 😉 Happy to hear it.
Nice pick Lisa – I was familiar with this son g at all. Great back story and absolutely love this line in your blog –
It’s as complex and tasty as a stew that’s been simmered all day with seasonings, put in the fridge overnight for the flavors to merry, and heated up the next day and served with still-warm sourdough bread. “
Paul, thank you very much. I’m happy to have introduced you to it.