Confessions of a Fanboy

One of the more poignant – if not personally devastating – moments of the vacation thus far was when my friend reminded me – repeatedly – we’ve now known each other for 10 years. A decade. I know… where does the time go, right? This little factoid has again reminded me that memories can be a lot like that loose thread on your sweater. Pulling this memory has caused a few others to unravel.

I met this particular friend in college, a time when I landed my first job in radio. It was about the least glamorous gig imaginable, but that’s where we all start. Besides, I was getting paid to listen to music and talk about music. There’s nothing in the world wrong with that. My first gig was a weekend graveyard shift at a classic rock station in Muscle Shoals, Alabama – itself an area with a deep, rich, significant musical history.

My graveyard shift ran from midnight until 6 a.m. That vampire-like existence can be a bit strange, even for a college student. I don’t know when it occurred to me, but early on in my burgeoning new radio career I came up with the idea of ending each shift with “Here Comes the Sun” by The Bealtes. I suppose the fact that I’ve always loved this song probably didn’t hurt. Each weekend morning on my way out the door I queued up “Here Comes the Sun” before the 6:00 hour began. It seemed the perfect apology for whatever sins against broadcasting I might have committed during those learning times, or the perfect bow on another fabulous presentation when I got it all right. That, and I really like the song.

“Here Comes The Sun” might be the best thing George Harrison ever did. I know there are some who will point to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” or “Something” while others will point to post-Beatles efforts. George wrote a lot of great songs during and after his time with The Beatles, all of them worth mentioning but none of them quite on par with this simple, beautiful song. How can your day strong not be better if this is the first thing you hear in the morning. It has a beautiful melody and it’s positivity is inspiring, not phony. Few Beatles songs better reflect the spirit of what the band was all about than “Here Comes the Sun.”

One of the surprising strengths of the song is the drumming of Ringo Starr. You might have thought a song written by the lead guitarist would be an exercise in six-string sorcery, but Ringo’s dexterous fills propel the song.

George Harrison’s famed quiet nature and desire to live out of the spotlight means he didn’t say much, musically or otherwise, during his lifetime. “Here Comes the Sun” is one of the treasures he left behind. I wonder if the greatest compliment that can be paid to an artist who is no longer with us is to tell them we’re still listening.

George, we’re still listening.

Filed under: Tags: George Harrison, Listening Room, The Beatles