Song

The Inner Light

Release date: 15 March 1968

Without going out of my door
I can know all things on earth
Without looking out of my window
I could know the ways of heaven

The farther one travels
The less one knows
The less one really knows

Without going out of your door
You can know all things on earth
With out looking out of your window
You can know the ways of heaven

The farther one travels
The less one knows
The less one really knows

Arrive without traveling
See all without looking
Do all without doing

"The Inner Light"
Single by The Beatles
A-side "Lady Madonna"
Released 15 March 1968
Format 7"
Recorded EMI Studios, Bombay, India, 12 January 1968; EMI Studios, London, 6 and 8 February 1968
Genre Raga rock, psychedelic rock, Hindustani classical
Length 2:36
Label Parlophone/EMI(UK)
Capitol Records(US)
Writer(s) George Harrison
Producer George Martin
The Beatles singles chronology
"Hello, Goodbye"
(1967)
"Lady Madonna"
(1968)
"Hey Jude"
(1968)

"The Inner Light" is a song written by George Harrison that was first released by the Beatles as a B-side to "Lady Madonna". It was the first Harrison composition to be featured on a Beatles single. The lyrics are a rendering of the 47th chapter (sometimes titled "Viewing the Distant" in translations) of the Taoist Tao Te Ching. The song is also available on the Beatles' compilation albums Por Siempre Beatles; Rarities; Past Masters, Volume Two; and Mono Masters (the companion edition to Past Masters), the latter CD available only on The Beatles in Mono box set.

The song features lead vocals from Harrison and brief backing vocals from John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The instrumental track was recorded in Mumbai, India, during the sessions for Harrison's Wonderwall Music (a soundtrack album), during January 1968.

©1968 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Related Articles