“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” a track off George’s 1973 album Living in the Material World,
represents the singer/songwriter at his best. Its memorable melody,
excellent slide guitar work, and poignant lyrics deliver a message that
resounds with all listeners — particularly during the turbulent world
events of 2015.
Under pressure to follow up the massively successful All Things Must Pass, George recorded Living in the Material World
with many of the same musicians along with new collaborators such as
drummer Jim Keltner, who
had worked with him during the Concert for
Bangladesh. The album would see Harrison delving fully into his
spiritual interests; the LP artwork even incorporates an illustration
from the Bhagavad-Gita.
Recording sessions took place from October-November 1972 and
January-March 1973, with George assuming the producer role (with the
exception of “Try Some, Buy Some,” which was co-produced with Phil
Spector). Held at Apple Studios, the sessions featured an all-star
supporting cast: Nicky Hopkins and Gary Wright on keyboards; Klaus
Voormann on bass; and Keltner, Ringo and Jim Gordon on drums.
In his autobiography I, Me, Mine, George reflected
on the composition of “Give Me Love”: “This song is a prayer and
personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it,” he
explained. According to Andrew Grant Jackson’s Still the Greatest: The Essential Songs of the Beatles’ Solo Careers,
George wrote the hopeful track in the midst of an otherwise
depressing period. Monetary issues resulting from the Concert for
Bangladesh remained, with George battling the artists and record
companies to donate all royalties to the country’s people.
When the U.S. and U.K. governments refused to waive their taxes,George was forced to personally pay over a million pounds to cover the
costs. Making matters worse, Allen Klein (onetime Beatles manager and
co-organizer of the Concert for Bangladesh) was accused of pocketing
some of the revenue generated from the concert. Ultimately, the event
raised 15 million pounds, but the money was tied up in courts for two
years.
Despite these setbacks and the sometimes pessimistic tone of Living in the Material World,George composed the ultimately upbeat “Give Me Love.” Featuring
stripped-down production, the song includes Hopkins on keyboards,
Voormann on bass, and Wright on organ. The star, however, is George
Harrison’s exquisite slide guitar, a constant presence throughout the
track.
Beginning with acoustic guitar, slide guitar, and subtle percussion,
“Give Me Love” immediately sets a gentle tone. Hopkins’ gospel-tinged
piano and Wright’s organ underscore the song’s spiritual connotations,
the track gradually increasing in volume and intensity until reaching a
crescendo: the repetition of the chorus. At the song’s conclusion,
the instruments gradually fade out until only the acoustic guitar can be
heard, as if coming down from spiritual ecstasy.
Lyrically, according to Jackson, “Give Me Love” represents the
“purest expression of the Aquarian Age dream,” a plea to God for support
and guidance. In a plaintive voice, Harrison calls upon the Lord to
“help me cope with this heavy load” and help him in his quest for
understanding. The narrator is “trying to touch and reach you with heart
and soul,” wanting to clasp hands with God in order to gain knowledge
and empathy. Love and peace on earth,George, will help
humankind achieve wisdom (“give me light, give me life,” he cries) and
serenity.
Clearly, audiences connected with the tune, as George performed it
during the Dark Horse Tour as well as the 1991 concerts in Japan with
Eric Clapton. In 2002, Jeff Lynne paid tribute to his friend and
frequent collaborator by performing the track during the Concert for
George.
“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” may have been a No. 1 hit for
George, but it remains unappreciated as a song for the holiday
season, as well as the rest of the year. Wishing for love and peace on
earth is a common denominator of numerous carols, although George’s lyrics add another dimension of struggle toward
understanding. These are messages that are welcome as we enter 2016 with
hope for a better world.
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