Although Peter Jackson’s documentary Get Back focuses on the positive aspects of the Beatles’ recording sessions, it also depicts moments of tension and disagreement. One notable incident occurred when George Harrison expressed frustration with Paul McCartney, which resulted in the creation of a solo song.
After nearly a decade as the world’s biggest band, members of The Beatles had evolved into distinct individuals from those who had started their magnificent journey. Most notably, their creative intentions had diverged, making their future untenable. It became clear during recording that they were approaching the end of their rodeo career.
While Abbey Road, released in 1969, was The Beatles’ last album, Let It Be was their final record. The recording of the album was a temperamental affair, and on January 10th, 1969, Harrison wanted to be anywhere other than Twickenham Film Studios for rehearsals.
According to video director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who was present, Harrison was not his usual self. There was something wrong with the guitarist even during breakfast. Lindsay-Hogg claimed in Luck And Circumstance that “I could tell by his silence and withdrawal that something was simmering inside him” before abruptly leaving.
His argument with McCartney had been captured on camera, and Harrison couldn’t bring himself to stay in the situation. The events of the day had turned his mind to jelly. George Harrison felt comfortable expressing his anguish by distorting his guitar, creating an equally chaotic soundscape.
The end result was ‘Wah-Wah‘, named after a guitar pedal and released on his solo album All Things Must Pass in 1970. In Anthology, he said of the song: “Everybody had been through that. Ringo had left at some point. I know John wanted out. It was a very difficult, stressful time, and being filmed having a row was especially bad. I got up and decided, ‘I’m not doing this anymore. I’m out of here.’ So I got my guitar and went home and that afternoon wrote ‘Wah-Wah’.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Crawdaddy, Harrison explained why he decided to walk out. “That was the song. When I left from the Let It Be movie, there’s a scene where Paul and I are having an argument, and we’re trying to cover it up.” Then, in the next scene, I’m not present, and Yoko is simply screaming, performing her screeching number. So that’s where I left, and I went home to write ‘Wah-Wah’. It gave me a wah-wah, as if I had a headache from the entire argument. “It was such a headache.”
Although Harrison’s departure from the band was only temporary, and he would eventually cool down enough to rejoin the group, it speaks volumes about the discontent in their ranks. The group was no longer singing from the same hymn sheet. George Harrison had grown more confident in his songwriting abilities, prompting him to demand more creative freedom. However, one positive outcome of the dreaded situation was ‘Wah-Wah‘.
