“For You Blue” is a Beatles’ song which is on their 1970 album, “Let It Be”.
In Detail
Album
Recorded: 25th January, 1969, 8th January, 1970
Studios: Apple Studio, London; Olympic Sound Studios, London
Genre: Country blues
Track Duration: 2:32
Record Label: Apple
Songwriter: George Harrison
Producer: Phil Spector
Performers
George Harrison: lead vocal, acoustic guitar
John Lennon: lap steel guitar
Paul McCartney: piano, bass
Ringo Starr: drums
Track Sources
Let It Be
Anthology 3
Let It Be… Naked
For You Blue
Written and sung by George Harrison, “For You Blue” became the B-side to “The Long and Winding Road” in some countries during 1970, but not the UK. Indeed, this was a country blues style love song to his wife, Pattie Boyd.
“It’s a simple 12-bar song following all the normal 12-bar principles, except that it’s happy-go-lucky!”
George Harrison
Let It Be Album (1970)
Anthology 3 Album (1996)
Let It Be… Naked Album (2003)
Influence
Harrison wrote the song after much influence from a visit to Woodstock in late 1968. There he found a different atmosphere to that which he experienced while recording the “White Album” with the other Beatles. During his visit, he met up with Bob Dylan and was able to jam along with other musicians. Not only that but his creative side came to the fore in the relative calm across the Atlantic.
The dominant Lennon-McCartney partnership was behind him and he knew he had a lot to offer in terms of songwriting. In fact, Harrison’s confidence was growing stronger, helped on by his friend, Eric Clapton. However, Harrison was still a member of The Beatles and in January, 1969, the “Get Back/Let It Be” sessions were about to begin.
Recording Studio
The Beatles were about to embark on their first live performance since their tour of North America in 1966. Their intention was to make a documentary film of them in rehearsal getting ready for this live act. So, rehearsals began in the Twickenham Film Studios, London.
Even though Harrison was optimistic about the venture after his character building in the US, things didn’t start well. After presenting his song on the 9th January, 1969, he also gave suggestions as to its arrangement. But, he walked out the next day. This was due to the attitude of both Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Somehow the band got their act together and recording eventually began on the 25th January. They recorded 6 takes of which the last one was suitable for the master track. Meanwhile filming continued. However, the film needed much attention, so before its release, they began work on the “Abbey Road” album.
The song’s final mixing took place on the 8th January, 1970, but Harrison recorded his vocals again prior to this. This version of “For You Blue” appears on the 1970 album, “Let It Be”.
They use take 1 from the Savile Row sessions (25th January, 1969) on the 1995 album, “Anthology 3”. On the 2003 album, “Let It Be… Naked”, there is a new mix of the master take minus John Lennon’s speech at the beginning which Phil Spector added to the original version. That was John Lennon still showing humour saying “Queen Says ‘No’ to Pot-Smoking FBI Member.”
