Listen on Spotify
Overview
"The Inner Light" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by George Harrison. It was released on a non-album single in March 1968, as the B-side to "Lady Madonna". The song was the first Harrison composition to be issued on a Beatles single and reflects the band's embrace of Transcendental Meditation, which they were studying in India under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at the time of the single's release. [Wikipedia]
Background
The Inner Light is a song by The Beatles, written by Harrison and led on vocal by George Harrison. First George composition on a Beatles single (B-side); Indian musicians, lyric from Tao Te Ching. Within the catalogue, its indian-classical thread connects it to Love You To, Within You Without You. George Harrison flew to Bombayto continue work on the Wonderwall film soundtrack. After completing that project, he produced several ragas with local Indian musicians, including this exquisite melody that would become the Beatles' only recorded Indian composition released on vinyl. The lyrics were taken directly from Juan Mascaro's translation of the Tao Te Ching, recommended to Harrison by the Sanskrit teacher at Cambridge University. (ennon uses a gently lyrical melody, as beautiful and wrenching in its way as the Kozinn 1995, p.174)
What's distinctive
One of 28 songs led primarily by George. One of 22 solely Harrison-credited compositions in the canon. Recorded approximately 1 of 34 into the The White Album (1968) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'tao-te-ching' — no other song shares it. Take count: 8 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "Without going out of my door…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Pattern analysis
Recording
The session work falls within the band's The White Album (1968) period, recorded 12 Jan 1968 at EMI Studios + Trident Studios (Soho). George Martin (with Chris Thomas covering) produced; Ken Scott (early), Geoff Emerick walked off — replaced engineered. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.132 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below). The instrumental track was recorded at EMI's studio in Bombay on 12 January 1968 with a selection of Indian musicians including sarod player Ashish Khan and tabla player Mahapurush Misra. Only the instrumental foundation was captured at this session on quarter-inch two-track mono and stereo tape. Harrison overdubbed his vocal at Abbey Road on 6 and 8 February, with the engineer adding multiple vocal layers in harmony to create the final four-track version.
(ded a muffled mid-rangey tone Emerick 2006, p.572)
| Studio | EMI Studios + Trident Studios (Soho) — first Beatles 8-track sessions: 'Hey Jude' onward |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Ampex AG-440 8-track (Trident); 3M M23 8-track at EMI from late 1968 (J37 four-track until then) |
| Console | REDD/TG12345 prototype; Sound Techniques 20/8 (Trident) |
| Microphones | U47/U48, AKG C12, U67 introduced |
| Outboard / effects | EMI RS124, EMT 140 & 250 (Trident), Fairchild 660, ADT, tape flanging, fuzz, wah (Vox/CryBaby) |
| Guitars | Epiphone Casino, Fender Strat (Rocky), Gibson J-200 acoustic, Martin D-28, Fender Telecaster Bass |
| Amplifiers | Fender Twin Reverb, Fender Bassman, Vox UL730 |
| Producer | George Martin (with Chris Thomas covering) |
| Engineer / 2nd | Ken Scott (early), Geoff Emerick walked off — replaced • John Smith, Mike Sheady, Barry Sheffield (Trident) |
| Estimated takes | 8 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it on the single Lady Madonna. Documented alternate versions include Mono Masters (2009 box), White Album 50th Anniversary (2018). Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below. George Harrison lead vocals appear in 28 canon songs, with 5 in the White era. At 2m 36s duration (57th percentile), it exemplifies the White Album's unprecedented stylistic expansion beyond Western pop traditions. As the only Beatles-recorded raga to reach vinyl and Harrison's first sole composition on a Beatles single B-side, the track confirmed the band's willingness to foreground Indian classical music. (1967 Odeon Released: December 1967 Magical Mystery Tour (EP)
Mono & stereo
- Both mono and stereo mixes were prepared; the UK mono White Album (PMC 7067/8) has many distinct edits, mixes and effects vs. the stereo (PCS 7067/8) — collectors prize the mono.
Documented alternate versions
- Mono Masters (2009 box) — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
- White Album 50th Anniversary (2018) — Giles Martin stereo remix
Released on
- Lady Madonna — Single, 15 March 1968
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (tao-te-ching, bombay-recording, indian-classical, first-george-single, b-side)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
tao-te-chingbombay-recordingindian-classicalfirst-george-singleb-side
References & external databases
Frequently asked
Who wrote The Inner Light?
“The Inner Light” was written by George Harrison.
Who sings lead on The Inner Light?
The lead vocal on “The Inner Light” is by George Harrison.
When was The Inner Light recorded?
“The Inner Light” was recorded 12 Jan 1968 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road.
How many takes did The Inner Light require?
Mark Lewisohn's session log documents up to 8 numbered takes for “The Inner Light”.