When We Was Fab

"When We Was Fab"
Single by George Harrison
from the album Cloud Nine
B-side	"Zig Zag", "That's The Way It Goes (remix)", "When We Was Fab (reverse end)"
Released	25 January 1988
Format	7", 12", CD
Genre	Psychedelic rock
Length	3:59
Label	Dark Horse Records
Writer(s)	Jeff Lynne, George Harrison
Producer	Jeff Lynne, George Harrison
George Harrison singles chronology
"Got My Mind Set on You" (1987) "When We Was Fab" (1988) "This Is Love" (1988)
Picture disc 12" (W8131TP) Cloud Nine track listing "This Is Love" (5) "When We Was Fab" (6) "Devil's Radio" (7)

"When We Was Fab" is a song written by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne about the days of Beatlemania, when The Beatles were first referred to as the "Fab Four". The song appears as the sixth track on Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine and was later released as the second single from that album in January 1988. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #25 in the UK Singles Chart, and in the United States, the song peaked at #23 in Billboard magazine's Hot 100 singles chart. It is Harrison's last Top 40 hit in the U.S., and the second such hit in which the lyrics reflect on his years as a Beatle - the other being All Those Years Ago.

The lyrics make direct references to at least three songs associated with the 1960's, though only one is a Beatles original. One is Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." Another is "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", a song by Smokey Robinson which The Beatles covered on the 1963 album With The Beatles. The last is "Taxman" by The Beatles. There is also a reference to "Strangers in the Night", a song by Bert Kaemfert who also produced the Beatles' first record as the backing band for Tony Sheridan.

In 2010, AOL radio listeners chose "When We Was Fab" as one of the 10 Best George Harrison Songs, appearing at #9 on the list.

Track listings

• 7" W8131

1. "When We Was Fab" - 3:59
2. "Zig Zag" - 2:45
   • An instrumental track originally appearing on the 1986 soundtrack for the film Shanghai Surprise.

• 12" W8131T, 12" picture disc W8131TP, 3" CD W8131CD

1. "When We Was Fab" (unextended version)
2. "Zig Zag" - 2:45
3. "That's The Way It Goes" (remix)
   • The original version appears on Harrison's 1982 album Gone Troppo.
4. "When We Was Fab" (reverse end)
   • The extended version of the song, containing the last few seconds of the song played in reverse.

Cover art

The single cover incorporates Klaus Voormann's 1966 line drawing of Harrison, which was used in the album art for The Beatles' album Revolver (the letters ER from the title are visible), along with a similar, updated drawing of Harrison 22 years later.

Music video

The music video that accompanied the song (directed by Godley & Creme) also referenced the other three former Beatles. George suddenly appears dressed with his Sgt. Pepper's costume, which he had only reacquired after many years shortly before shooting the video. Ringo Starr appears prominently first as Harrison's "assistant" and then as the drummer. A man dressed up in a Walrus costume playing a bass left-handed refers to Paul McCartney (who was asked to appear but was not available). John Lennon, who died in 1980, is represented by a passer-by (Phil Collins) carrying his Imagine album. Also making guest appearances in the video are Gary Wright, Elton John, Paul Simon, Derek Taylor, Jeff Lynne, Ray Cooper and Neil Aspinall.

The green apple passing through George's hands, interrupting his guitar playing, is symbolic of the Apple Records label. The video received six nominations at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, including best art director for Sid Bartholomew, famous for his work on Pee-wee's Playhouse.

External links

• George Harrison - When We Was Fab at Graham Calkin's Beatles Pages.