Living in the Material World (song)

"Living in the Material World"
Cover of the original Hansen Publishing sheet music for the song
Song by George Harrison
from the album Living in the Material World
Published	Material World Charitable Foundation (administered by Harrisongs)
Released	30 May 1973
Genre	Rock
Length	5:31
Label	Apple
Songwriter(s)	George Harrison
Producer(s)	George Harrison
Living in the Material World track listing
11 tracks  Side one "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" "Sue Me, Sue You Blues" "The Light That Has Lighted the World" "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" "Who Can See It" "Living in the Material World" Side two "The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)" "Be Here Now" "Try Some, Buy Some" "The Day the World Gets 'Round" "That Is All"

"Living in the Material World" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released as the title track to his 1973 solo album. In the song's lyrics, Harrison presents a contrast between the world of material things and his spiritual goals, and the conflicting themes are represented in the musical arrangement, via juxtaposing sections in the rock genre and an Indian music setting. Inspired by Gaudiya Vaishnava teacher A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the song promotes the need to recognise the illusory nature of human existence and escape the constant cycle of reincarnation, and thereby attain moksha in the Hindu faith. The contrasts presented in "Living in the Material World" inspired both a photograph by Ken Marcus that appeared inside the album's gatefold cover, and designer Tom Wilkes's incorporation of Krishna-related symbolism elsewhere in the packaging.

Harrison references his Beatles past as one of the trappings of the material world and refers by name to former bandmates John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The latter played drums on the track, recording for which took place in England between October 1972 and February 1973, while the other contributing musicians include Jim Horn, Gary Wright and Jim Keltner. In a production that is highly regarded by some commentators, the rock portions of "Living in the Material World" include a slide guitar solo by Harrison, saxophone, two drummers and prominent Hammond organ, whereas the meditative Indian interludes feature flute, Zakir Hussain on tabla, and a rare post-Beatle sitar performance by Harrison. Amid the favourable critical reception to the song on release, Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone termed it "an incantatory, polyrhythmic rocker with a falsetto-on-sitar refrain".