Beware of Darkness (song)

"Beware of Darkness"
Song by George Harrison
from the album All Things Must Pass
Published	Harrisongs
Released	27 November 1970
Genre	Rock
Length	3:48
Label	Apple
Songwriter(s)	George Harrison
Producer(s)	George Harrison, Phil Spector
All Things Must Pass track listing
23 tracks  Side one "I'd Have You Anytime" "My Sweet Lord" "Wah-Wah" "Isn't It a Pity" Side two "What Is Life" "If Not for You" "Behind That Locked Door" "Let It Down" "Run of the Mill" Side three "Beware of Darkness" "Apple Scruffs" "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" "Awaiting on You All" "All Things Must Pass" Side four "I Dig Love" "Art of Dying" "Isn't It a Pity (Version Two)" "Hear Me Lord" Side five "Out of the Blue" "It's Johnny's Birthday" "Plug Me In" Side six "I Remember Jeep" "Thanks for the Pepperoni"

"Beware of Darkness" is a song written by English musician George Harrison and originally released on his 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass. It has also been covered by artists such as Leon Russell, Marianne Faithfull, Spock's Beard, Concrete Blonde, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Harrison and Russell performed the song at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, and Eric Clapton performed it at the Concert for George in 2002. The song warns against permitting illusion from getting in the way of one's true purpose, an admonition that, like the content of "My Sweet Lord", reflects the influence of the Radha Krishna Temple.

"Beware of Darkness" is a ballad containing dense imagery. The song marks a return to the spiritual concerns of Harrison's songs with the Beatles such as "Within You Without You". The lyrics of "Beware of Darkness" reflect the philosophy of the Radha Krishna Temple, with which Harrison was involved, in which spiritual concerns must always override material things. In the verses, the listener is warned against various influences that may corrupt him or her. Among the potential corrupting influences are con men ("soft shoe shufflers"), politicians ("greedy leaders") and pop idols of little substance ("falling swingers"). In addition, the lyrics warn against negative thoughts ("thoughts that linger"), since these corrupting influences and negative thoughts can lead to maya, or illusion, which distracts people from the true purpose of life. The middle eight delivers the message that this "can hurt you", and that "that is not what you are here for."

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Wikipedia