Two #1 hits, head to head. George Harrison’s 1970 hit “My Sweet Lord” versus Paul McCartney’s 1973 hit “Band on the Run.” Which of the two is the better song?
Let’s start with Harrison. A straightforward paeon to Krishna, bolstered by Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” provided by Derek and the Dominoes, backing vocals by Badfinger, and some exquisite slide guitar work by Harrison.
Then, McCartney. A sound suite with five distinct movements in the span of about five minutes, recorded in Lagos by Wings after two members quit, with McCartney doing almost everything on the track from vocals to guitar to drums.
On a purely technical level, I give it to McCartney. “Band on the Run” is a more technically accomplished piece. Every minute, the song shifts gears entirely and becomes something new and different. It’s a classic McCartney story song (“Rocky Raccoon,” “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”) melded to an Abbey Road medley-esque song suite.
On a purely emotional level, I give it to Harrison. “My Sweet Lord” knows what it is, it does it impressively, and it carries the listener along into its ecstasic yearning for the supernatural.
They’re such different songs, I can’t decide! I love them both! I even appreciate “My Sweet Lord 2000” as its own thing.
I don’t know which is best. I don’t want a “best.” Why do we need a “best”? Can’t we just love them both?
I love them both.
That’s enough. 🙂