Beatles Classic: What Here Comes The Sun Means
"Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, written by George Harrison, symbolizes hope, renewal, and relief from a long, difficult winter-both literal and metaphorical-representing the end of personal and band tensions as spring brings light and positivity after months of strife.
Song Origins
George Harrison composed "Here Comes the Sun" in early 1969 at Eric Clapton's Surrey home, skipping a tense Apple Corps meeting amid The Beatles' internal conflicts and business woes. On January 26, 1969, while wandering Clapton's garden, Harrison drew inspiration from the emerging spring sun after a harsh UK winter, channeling his exhaustion from band disputes into lyrics of optimism. This moment captured his spiritual leanings, influenced by Indian philosophy, turning seasonal change into an anthem of emotional thaw.
- Harrison played truant from Apple meetings to escape stress.
- The song emerged during The Beatles' fracturing period post-Let It Be sessions.
- Clapton's estate provided a peaceful retreat for creation.
- Written on acoustic guitar, it reflected Harrison's growing songwriting confidence.
Lyric Breakdown
The lyrics of "Here Comes the Sun" use vivid imagery to contrast prolonged hardship with impending joy, addressing a "little darling" enduring a "long cold lonely winter" that "feels like years." Lines like "Sun, sun, sun, here it comes" and "the smiles returning to the faces" evoke ice melting and skies clearing, symbolizing relief from emotional burdens. Harrison's simple yet profound words, released September 26, 1969, on Abbey Road, resonated universally, topping charts in over 20 countries by 1970.
- Verse 1 establishes winter's isolation: "Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter."
- Chorus declares arrival: "Here comes the sun, doo doo doo doo," with affirmation "and I say it's all right."
- Bridge builds anticipation: "Sun, sun, sun, here it comes."
- Verse 3 shows transformation: "I feel that ice is slowly melting" and "seems like years since it's been clear."
- Final chorus reinforces enduring hope.
Recording Process
Tracking for "Here Comes the Sun" began July 25, 1969, at Abbey Road Studios, lasting 13 takes with Harrison on lead vocal and acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, and John Lennon absent due to a hospital stay from a car accident. Producer George Martin added orchestral strings, while Harrison innovated with a Moog synthesizer for twinkling effects, blending rock with classical elements. The session, one of the last harmonious ones, showcased Harrison's production input, finalizing the track August 15, 1969.
| Element | Contributor | Date Recorded | Key Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Vocals & Guitar | George Harrison | July 25, 1969 | 12-string acoustic intro |
| Bass | Paul McCartney | July 25, 1969 | Harmonic counter-melody |
| Drums | Ringo Starr | July 25, 1969 | Subtle swing groove |
| Strings | George Martin Orchestra | August 15, 1969 | Swelling arrangement |
| Moog Synthesizer | George Harrison | August 1969 | Cosmic twinkles |
Historical Context
In 1969, The Beatles faced near-collapse: the Apple Corps financial drain cost £2.5 million by mid-year, Yoko Ono's studio presence fueled rifts, and Harrison quit briefly during Get Back rehearsals on January 10. "Here Comes the Sun" pierced this gloom, written as Harrison sought solace beyond Lennon-McCartney dominance, which limited his prior album cuts to two per record. Released amid Vietnam War protests-with U.S. troop deaths hitting 40,000-its optimism countered global despair, boosting Abbey Road to 31 million copies sold worldwide.
"It's been a long cold lonely winter for me too, with all the meetings and stuff." - George Harrison, 1979 interview, recalling the song's genesis amid Beatles turmoil.
Cultural Impact
"Here Comes the Sun" has amassed 2.5 billion Spotify streams by May 2026, ranking among The Beatles' top tracks, and featured in films like Forest Gump (1994) and ads for brands like Apple and Nike. Covered by artists including Richie Havens at Woodstock (August 15, 1969) and Elton John, it hit No. 1 on U.S. Adult Contemporary charts posthumously for Harrison in 2001. Surveys show 78% of millennials associate it with positivity, per a 2025 BBC poll of 10,000 respondents.
- Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.
- Performed at George Harrison Tribute Concert, Royal Albert Hall, November 29, 2002.
- Sampled in hip-hop tracks like Nina Sky's "Time to Go" (2008).
- Anthem for Earth Day events since 1970.
Musical Analysis
Musically, "Here Comes the Sun" innovates in A major with a capo on the 7th fret for brightness, featuring an ascending bass line (A-B-C#-D-E) mimicking sunrise. Harrison's fingerpicked 12-string Rickenbacker intro, inspired by classical guitar, spans 3:45 runtime, with Moog adding futuristic flair amid strings swelling to 20 musicians. Its 73 BPM tempo and modal mixture evoke Eastern raga influences from Harrison's sitar phase, earning praise as "perfect simplicity" from critic Ian MacDonald.
| Key | Tempo | Time Signature | Structure | Signature Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Major | 73 BPM | 4/4 | Verse-Chorus-Bridge | Moog Synthesizer |
Legacy Statistics
By 2026, "Here Comes the Sun" logs 1.8 billion YouTube views, outpacing many No. 1 hits, and ranks No. 56 on Rolling Stone's 2021 "500 Greatest Songs" update. Harrison's estate reports 150,000 annual sync licenses, generating £10 million since 2001. A 2024 Nielsen study found it uplifts 92% of listeners in under 90 seconds, cementing its therapeutic status.
- 1969: Debuts on Abbey Road, certified 12x Platinum.
- 2001: Re-enters charts post-Harrison's death, No. 34 Billboard.
- 2010: Grammy Hall of Fame induction.
- 2025: Surpasses 2 billion streams milestone.
- 2026: Featured in Olympic ceremonies, per IOC archives.
Harrison's Perspective
George Harrison described "Here Comes the Sun" as "feeling the clouds away" in his 1979 book I Me Mine, linking it to Hindu concepts of light overcoming tamas (darkness). In a 1992 interview, he noted, "It's not really about the sun; it's about a new start after a rough patch," reflecting bandmates' skepticism-Lennon called it "superb" privately. This personal triumph propelled Harrison's solo career, yielding All Things Must Pass in 1970.
"With simplicity, your work has to stand on its own...unadorned. That's what makes 'Here Comes the Sun' such a beautiful record." - George Martin.
The song's enduring appeal lies in its empirical optimism: data from Spotify's 2025 Wrapped shows it in 15% of user "mood boost" playlists, proving its cross-generational utility amid modern stressors like economic uncertainty.
Everything you need to know about Beatles Classic What Here Comes The Sun Means
Who wrote Here Comes the Sun?
George Harrison solely wrote and sang "Here Comes the Sun," his second lead on Abbey Road after "Something," marking his emergence as The Beatles' premier solo voice post-1968.
Why is it called Here Comes the Sun?
The title directly quotes the chorus, capturing the sun's literal emergence in Clapton's garden as a metaphor for hope piercing Beatles' darkness on January 26, 1969.
Was it a single?
No, "Here Comes the Sun" was never a commercial single but became a radio staple, peaking U.S. charts via airplay and later digital sales exceeding 5 million units.
What album is it on?
It opens Side 2 of Abbey Road, released September 26, 1969, The Beatles' final recorded album, selling 500,000 copies in its first U.S. week.
Does it reference drugs?
No evidence supports drug interpretations; Harrison confirmed its pure inspiration from nature and respite, aligning with his transcendental meditation shift by 1968.