Dark Horse

George Harrison

About Dark Horse

"Dark Horse" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released as the title track to his 1974 solo album on Apple Records. The song was the album's lead single in North America, becoming a top-20 hit in the United States, but it was Harrison's first single not to chart in Britain when issued there in February 1975. While the term "dark horse" had long been applied to Harrison due to his success as a solo artist following the Beatles' break-up in 1970, commentators recognise the song as Harrison's rebuttal to a number of possible detractors: those reviewers who criticised the spiritual content of his 1973 album Living in the Material World; his first wife, Pattie Boyd; and his former bandmates John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Harrison also used the title for that of his record label, and his 1974 North American tour with Ravi Shankar would come to be known as the Dark Horse Tour. Harrison taped an early version of the song with Ringo Starr in 1973, intending to finish this recording for the album. The officially released version was recorded during rehearsals for his 1974 concerts, at a time when Harrison's exhaustion through overwork contributed to him contracting laryngitis and losing his voice. Harrison's singing was similarly affected throughout the ensuing tour. A number of music critics rate "Dark Horse" as one of Harrison's finest post-Beatles compositions and believe that the single would have achieved greater success with a cleaner vocal performance. The recording reflects Harrison's embracing of the jazz-funk musical genre, and features contributions from musicians such as Tom Scott, Jim Horn, Billy Preston, Willie Weeks and Andy Newmark. 


Year:
1995
4:18
105 
#1

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You thought that you knew where I was and when
But it looks like they've been foolin' you again,
You thought that you'd got me all steaked out
But baby looks like I've been breaking out

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I stepped from out of the womb
I've been a cool jerk
Looking for the source
I'm a dark horse.

You thought you had got me in your grip
Baby looks like you was not so smart
And I became too slippery for you
But let me say that was nothing new.

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I picked up my first spoon
I've been a cool jerk
Looking for the source
I'm a dark horse

I thought that you knew it all along
Until you started getting me not right
Seems as if you heard a little late
But I warned you when
We both were at the starting gate

I'm a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I'm a blue moon
Since I stepped from out of the womb
I've been a cool jerk
Cooking at the source
I'm a dark horse.

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George Harrison

George HarrisonMBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Often referred to as the "quiet Beatle", Harrison over time became an admirer of Indian culture and mysticism, introducing it to the other Beatles, as well as to their Western audience. Following the band's break-up, enjoyed a successful solo career, and in 1988 he co-founded the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Harrison number 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". more »

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Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

TRACK HISTORY
"Dark Horse" is a song by British musician and former Beatle George Harrison. It was released in 1974 as the title track to his fifth studio album "Dark Horse".
ALBUM TITLE PIECE
George Harrison used the term "Dark Horse" for both his record label (Dark Horse Records) and to title one of his albums. The single was released three days before the album, named after the song itself.
MEANING
The expression “Dark Horse” typically refers to an underestimated competitor in a race or contest, usually with little odds of winning. Through this song, Harrison essentially expressed his feelings about being overlooked or underrated in the context of his musical career, especially when compared to his more widely acclaimed former Beatles bandmates.
CHART POSITION
"Dark Horse" charted at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. However, it failed to make an impact in the United Kingdom top charts, attributable to Harrison's reduced popularity in the UK during the mid-1970s.
INFLUENCE
Indian classical motifs are prevalent in the "Dark Horse" song, illustrating the significant influence of Indian music on Harrison's songwriting style.
UNIQUE VOCALS
Harrison's voice sounds rough and strained on this track mainly because he had laryngitis during the recording of the song. Some critics, however, argued that this roughness added emotional depth to the song.
PROMOTION
The song's release was concurrent with Harrison's 'Dark Horse Tour' – his first tour as a solo artist and the first by a former Beatle after the band disbanded. The tour was a significant promotional stint for the song.
CRITICAL RECEPTION
"Dark Horse" received mixed reviews from music critics over the years. Some appreciated its unique arrangement and lyrical depth, while others felt that the overall production was lackluster compared to Harrison's previous works.
UNIQUE PERFORMANCE
In live performances during his Dark Horse Tour, George Harrison would add a humorous introduction, dedicating the song to "a mascot of the 70s" – Patty Hearst.
LEGACY
Despite its divisive critical reception, "Dark Horse" remains one of Harrison's most intriguing works. Over the years it has been examined and re-evaluated and is respected for its daring stylistic approach, standing as a testament to Harrison's talent for integrating different musical genres and styles.

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    Dark Horse

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1975

    Billboard #15


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