When George Harrison released “Blow Away” in 1979 as part of his self-titled album, he had already lived through several emotional storms: the breakup of the Beatles, the intensity of early solo fame, personal and spiritual struggles, and the weight of being seen as the “quiet” Beatle who nonetheless carried a profound inner world. What makes “Blow Away” remarkable is its simplicity — a song born not from agony or anger, but from a moment of clarity that came to George in the middle of a rainstorm.
The story behind the song is unusually humble for such an uplifting track. One day, George found himself frustrated, stuck in bad weather, troubled by worries that felt heavier than they should have been. Then, in a moment he later described almost humorously, he realized how unnecessary his own negativity was. He saw that the rain wasn’t the problem — his mindset was. That sudden shift of awareness became the seed for “Blow Away”: a gentle anthem about letting go of the internal clouds we create and choosing sunlight instead.
The song opens with warm, clean guitar chords that feel like a clearing sky. George’s voice enters with its familiar softness — not forceful, not dramatic, simply honest.
“Day turned black, sky ripped apart…”
These words reflect the emotional turbulence that precedes the revelation. But George does not linger there. Instead, he moves quickly toward acceptance:
“All I got to do is to love you.”
That “you” is intentionally wide in meaning.
It can be God.
It can be love itself.
It can be a person, a friend, a guiding spirit.
But at the heart of the song lies George’s lifelong belief that love — not as romance, but as awareness and compassion — is the path to inner peace.
The chorus is bright, effortless, and instantly memorable:
💬 “All I’ve got to do is to love you, all I’ve got to do is to love you — and everything else will blow away.”
In Harrison’s philosophy, love is not an escape; it is clarity. It strips away needless worry, dissolves fear, and frees the heart to breathe. When he sings “blow away,” the words sound weightless, as if the wind itself is lifting burdens from his shoulders.
Musically, “Blow Away” is one of George’s most joyful arrangements.
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The guitars shimmer with positivity.
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The rhythm section moves with easy confidence.
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The harmonies are light and buoyant, adding to the song’s sense of renewal.
Unlike the deep spiritual searching of “My Sweet Lord” or the introspective melancholy of “All Things Must Pass”, this song carries a refreshing simplicity. It is spirituality made accessible — not a sermon, not a struggle, but a smile after rain.
Part of the song’s lasting charm comes from George’s sincerity. He doesn’t pretend life is easy. He doesn’t deny that storms come. Instead, he shares a small, deeply human truth:
sometimes the hardest part is remembering that we have the power to step out from under the clouds.
When George performs “Blow Away”, his voice feels rejuvenated, full of gratitude. The track stands as one of his purest declarations of optimism — a reminder that even in the hardest moments, the heart can choose light.
Ultimately, “Blow Away” is George Harrison at his most gentle and most wise.
A man who faced the storms of fame, loss, and expectation learned that peace was not earned through struggle, but through surrender — not giving up, but letting go.
A song like a clearing sky.
A gentle smile after rain.
A reminder that the sun is always waiting,
if we allow the clouds to blow away.