Was the Beatles’ song “Only A Northern Song” written by George Harrison as a middle finger extended at Lew Grade? I read the column and I remembered how the song made references to how the songs are played wrong because “it’s only a Northern song.”
Doesn’t really matter what chords I play, what
words I say or time of day it is
As its only a Northern Song
If you think the harmony
Is a little dark and out of key You’re correct
There’s nobody there
We are talking about: Does Michael Jackson control the Beatles music library?.
And to answer your question, the finger is pointed at Dick James, not Lew Grade. George explains all in this interview.
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Cecil’s column can be found on-line at the link provided by Perderabo.
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Perderabo, thank you for providing the link, and also for teaching me a new bit of Beatles trivia! I never knew that “Only A Northern Song” was intended by George to be a jab at his publisher. I always thought he was poking fun at his (more famous) bandmates.
As my nephew once said “It’s better to die in the evening than in the morning because you’re smarter in the evening.”
And, BTW, Mike Jackson doesn’t control the Beatles songs anymore. Sony does. Jackson sold them a few years ago when he was having financial troubles.
Cecil’s column must be a lil old.
It’s dated October 27, 1995. Old enough for ya? 