1. “Taxman” (1966)
This raucous diatribe snaps at the heavy-handed tax bracket the Fab Four found themselves in post-Beatlemania. Opening “Revolver” with Harrison’s gruff count-in, it borrows a melody from Batman and some lyrics from Lennon, but the line, “And my advice for those who die / Declare the pennies on your eyes,” is droll cosmic sarcasm that could only come from Harrison’s pen.
2. “What Is Life” (1970)
One instance where producer Phil Spector’s “the more, the merrier” production benefits Harrison’s 1970 solo debut “All Things Must Pass.” Lifted by exuberant horns, this track finds the ex-Beatle in a celebratory mood, but still cautious of life’s travails. “Tell me what is my life, without your love? / And tell me who am I, without you by my side?”
3. “For You Blue” (1969)
Harrison’s happy/sad writing style was never on better display than with this delightful 12-bar “blues,” recorded for “Let It Be.” The live version on “Anthology 3” features a more poignant vocal from Harrison and slide guitar from Lennon, proving The Beatles still could be a tight little band between arguments.
4. “Roll Over Beethoven” (1963)
When The Beatles toured Japan for the first time, Harrison’s version of this Chuck Berry rocker was so convincing the overzealous fans thought he had written it. Released on the underrated sophomore album, “With The Beatles,” it was a favorite from their days as a house band in the seedy bowels of Hamburg, Germany. Harrison’s blistering guitar is the glorious sound of four lads let off the leash.
5. “Got My Mind Set On You” (1987)
Harrison’s Number One pop hit was actually several years in the making and made “Cloud Nine” his first Top 10 album since 1973. The song is still remembered for the goofy video in which “George” does flips and is backed by stuffed animals, but what a chorus.
6. “It’s All Too Much” (1968)
Kicked off by vintage Lennon gobbledygook and a riff stolen more than any other in the last 30 years, this track was recorded for “Sgt. Pepper” but had to wait for the “Yellow Submarine” soundtrack a year later to see release. Here Harrison summarizes London’s swinging ’60s in one line: “Sail me on a silver sun, a light now that I’m free / Show me that I’m everywhere, and get me home for tea.”
7. “Something” (1969)
Harrison’s first A-side single, this lush ballad is the emotional heart of The Beatles’ final masterpiece, “Abbey Road.” Unaware of its potential, Harrison offered the song to Joe Cocker before properly recording it himself. It has since become the second most covered Beatles’ song ever behind “Yesterday.” Ironically, Frank Sinatra referred to it several times as his favorite Lennon/McCartney tune.
8. “Bangla Desh” (1972)
Recorded live at the first all-star benefit, “Concert For Bangla Desh,” Harrison wrote this after hearing the plight of Indian refugees from his sitar instructor, Ravi Shankar. The concert set the standard for future events “Live Aid” and “We Are The World.” It featured Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Ringo Starr among others.
9. “I’d Have You Anytime” (1970)
A love song written with Dylan in Woodstock, it’s the moody introduction to “All Things Must Pass.” Contains minimalist Dylan verses with a classic Harrison chorus and unveils the electric slide that would soon become Harrison’s trademark solo sound.
10. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968)
Lennon and McCartney showed little interest when Harrison ran through this new composition for them in summer 1968. To get their attention he invited his friend Clapton to play lead guitar. It worked. McCartney’s galloping piano intro and vocal harmonies help make this lyrical wonder a “White Album” standout.
11. “All Things Must Pass” (1969)
This “Anthology 3” take on the title track to Harrison’s solo debut was written during the fractured “Let It Be” sessions. Sincere and still universal, this demo was recorded on Harrison’s 26th birthday and is free of the languid horns Spector would employ on the studio version.
12. “Long Long Long” (1968)
Predating both emo and Elliott Smith, this somber “White Album” track was written in Rishikesh, India while The Beatles were studying transcendental meditation. A soft, yearning ode to God, the song contains strident drumming from Ringo and what may be the best Harrison vocals ever.
13. “Here Comes The Sun” (1969)
Monty Python’s Eric Idle lists this “Abbey Road” classic as a favorite. Written in Clapton’s garden on the first day of spring, the album version is Lennon-less — he and Yoko had been in a car accident — but ranks among The Beatles’ most impeccable recordings.
14. “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” (1964)
When the other Beatles changed their last names for a 1960 tour of Scotland, Harrison changed his first to Carl, for Carl Perkins. His echo-drenched version of this Perkins tune closes the folkish “Beatles For Sale” with a riot. This crowd-pleaser was Harrison’s moment to shine in concert and remained a live staple for years.