The Beatles’ Most Exotic B-Side – “The Inner Light” The Beatles once recorded a song… without three of the Beatles!
🎙️ [Fact 1]
“The Inner Light” was written and sung by George Harrison, but John, Paul, and Ringo didn’t play a single note on its backing track.
📚 The Beatles Recording Sessions – Mark Lewisohn (1988)
🎙️ [Fact 2]
George recorded the instrumental in Mumbai (then Bombay) during sessions for the Wonderwall soundtrack — using Indian classical musicians from the Bombay Philharmonic Orchestra.
📚 The Beatles Anthology (2000)
📚 Wonderwall Music liner notes (Apple Records, 1968)
🎙️ [Fact 3]
The lyrics were adapted from the Tao Te Ching, not Indian scripture — a Chinese philosophical text translated by Juan Mascaró, who mailed it to George.
📚 I Me Mine – George Harrison (2002)
📚 Revolution in the Head – Ian MacDonald (1994)
🎙️ [Fact 4]
It was the first Beatles song released with George as sole lead singer — and it was the B-side to “Lady Madonna” in March 1968.
📚 The Beatles Bible / Lewisohn – Chronicle
🎙️ [Beatle Trivia]
John Lennon said he loved it — calling it “a great piece of Indian music.”
📚 The Beatles Anthology
🎙️ [Call to Action]
Ever notice “The Inner Light” is missing from most Beatles albums?
Drop a 🌕 if George’s spiritual side moves you.