Everything Flows: Here Comes The Sun

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Here Comes The Sun

Cover version of the month #47

Nina Simone and Richie Havens covers The Beatles

Incredible picture by Elliott Landy of Richie Havens at Woodstock

George Harrison's Here Comes The Sun is just perfect. Sublime, heartfelt, simple, melodic and pure pop.

One day I decided I was going to sag off Apple and I went over to Eric Clapton's house. The relief of not having to go and see all those dopey accountants was wonderful and I walked round the garden with one of Eric's acoustic guitars and wrote Here Comes The Sun.

George Harrison, from I Me Mine

The riff is infectious, everything about the song is warm and welcoming. The ice is melting, smiles are returning to faces and everything is alright. Starr's drums are brilliant, really capturing an upbeat feel that fits in with everything else going on.

It is simple, pure and pop. Perfect and Harrison arguably steals Abbey Road with its inclusion alongside the stunning Something.

It is such a gorgeous song that you'll not be surprised to hear that it has been covered by multiple artists but I'll focus on two of them.

Nina Simone's version begins like a nursery rhyme. there is a tender gentleness applied to the melody and vocal. It picks up, adds power, effortless power, you get the impression she could do so much more, but her respect and command in her version is just stunning to hear.

Richie Havens, like everything he does, makes it super cool. Even cooler by the fact that he performed it at Woodstock. Can you imagine being at Woodstock in the sunshine and hearing this? Havens plays with it, driving the rhythm guitar and his rich, soulful voice just sounds like heaven.

Both Simone appreciate the perfection of the original but add their own little magic to the song. I love them both, but in this case, the original is my favourite.