Blow Away

For the song by A Fine Frenzy, see Bomb in a Birdcage.
"Blow Away"

US picture sleeve
Single by George Harrison
from the album George Harrison
B-side "Soft-Hearted Hana" (US)
"Soft Touch" (UK)
Released 14 February 1979 (US)
16 February 1979 (UK)
Format Vinyl record 7"
Recorded 1978
Genre Rock
Length 3:59
Label Dark Horse (US)
Producer(s) George Harrison
George Harrison singles chronology
"It's What You Value"
(1977)		 "Blow Away"
(1979)		 "Love Comes to Everyone"
(1979)
George Harrison track listing

"Blow Away" was a 1979 hit single by George Harrison, taken from his eponymous album.

Writing and recording

The song is one of Harrison's most popular and beloved post-Apple singles, but also one of the simplest. Its uptempo pop sound fell far outside of the dominant genres of the era, disco and punk. "Blow Away", written on a rainy day (that's why first verses are about clouds), was included in Nuns on the Run – a comedy with Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane.

In his autobiography I, Me, Mine, Harrison wrote that the song arose from feelings of melancholy and inadequacy that served as a reminder that he, in fact, "loved everybody" and should seek to be more optimistic. Additionally, he noted that, while he initially disliked the melody, thinking it too simple, the track grew on him when he began to record it.

Music video

The accompanying video was a simple affair; featuring various shots of George singing the song superimposed over shots of moving clouds and land, and in some instances, singing with full sized toys (a wind-up duck; sitting in a toy swan and on a dog). There are even a few quick instances of George acting silly - breaking into a quick smirk as the camera closes in on the lyric "be happy," and doing a very simple dance step are two of them.

As this was early in music videos, the simplistic style wasn't out of the norm; however this received nominal airplay on MTV and was featured more on VH1.

Over time, "Blow Away" has proven to be one of Harrison's more popular songs among fans. In 2010, AOL radio listeners chose "Blow Away" as one of the 10 Best George Harrison Songs, appearing at #2 on the list, only behind "My Sweet Lord."[1]

"Blow Away" has been included on Harrison's compilations Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 (1989), as well as his posthumous career-spanning set, Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison (2009).

Reception

The song reached #51 on UK charts (his first notable chart appearance since "You" in 1975, that reached #38). More impressively, the single charted in the US and Canada – #16 and #7, respectively. Furthermore, on the US Adult Contemporary chart it reached #2.

Chart performance

Weekly singles charts

Chart (1979) Peak
position
Canadian RPM 100[2] 7
New Zealand Singles Chart[3] 30
UK Singles Chart[4] 51
U.S. Billboard AC[5] 2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] 16
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[6] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (1979) Position
Canada 75
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[7] 99

References

  1. ↑ Dickinson, Boonsri. "10 Best George Harrison Songs". AOL.
  2. ↑ "RPM 100 Singles, 26 May 1979", Library and Archives Canada (retrieved 4 June 2015).
  3. ↑ "George Harrison – Blow Away", charts.org.nz (retrieved 4 June 2015).
  4. ↑ "Artist: George Harrison", Official Charts Company (retrieved 4 June 2015).
  5. 1 2 "George Harrison > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles", AllMusic (retrieved 4 June 2015).
  6. ↑ http://50.6.195.142/archives/70s_files/19790512.html
  7. ↑ http://50.6.195.142/archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html
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