Dark Horse (song)
Encyclopedia
"Dark Horse" is the title track to George Harrison
's 1974 album Dark Horse, and later the name of his record label
Dark Horse Records
.
" is usually a reference to an unlikely or surprise winner, Harrison explained in his autobiography, I Me Mine
, that he actually didn't know that meaning of the term, at the time. His lyrics instead referred to a man who carried on one or more clandestine sexual relationships with women; a "dark horse" in Liverpudlian terms. The song drew on his feelings toward his disintegrating marriage to Pattie Boyd
, who had left him for guitarist (and mutual friend) Eric Clapton
.
, but it remained unfinished when it came time to mount his 1974 American tour. With the album's release date pending, and Harrison's throat wracked by laryngitis
, the track was re-recorded quickly in an American studio, with his tour band, including Billy Preston
on keyboards.
. The single's B-side was a non-album track, "I Don't Care Anymore." It was released as a single in the UK in February 1975, with the album track, "Hari's on Tour (Express)", on the B-side, but like the album it failed to chart in Britain at all.
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's 1974 album Dark Horse, and later the name of his record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Dark Horse Records
Dark Horse Records
Dark Horse Records is a record label founded by George Harrison in 1974.-History:Harrison had recorded for EMI under a contract which expired in 1976. All his subsequent recordings were released through Dark Horse Records, starting with Thirty Three & 1/3 in 1976 and ending with Live in Japan in 1992...
.
Background
While "dark horseDark horse
Dark horse is a term used to describe a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort.-Origin:The term began as horse racing parlance...
" is usually a reference to an unlikely or surprise winner, Harrison explained in his autobiography, I Me Mine
I Me Mine
"I Me Mine" is a song by The Beatles, written and sung by George Harrison. I Me Mine is also the title of Harrison's autobiography. The song traces its origins to the January 1969 Get Back/Let It Be sessions, when it was rehearsed by the band at Twickenham Film Studios.-Origin:The set of pronouns...
, that he actually didn't know that meaning of the term, at the time. His lyrics instead referred to a man who carried on one or more clandestine sexual relationships with women; a "dark horse" in Liverpudlian terms. The song drew on his feelings toward his disintegrating marriage to Pattie Boyd
Pattie Boyd
Patricia Anne "Pattie" Boyd is an English model and photographer, and the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
, who had left him for guitarist (and mutual friend) Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
.
Recording
Harrison had begun the recording of the song at Friar ParkFriar Park
Friar Park is the 120-room Victorian neo-Gothic mansion previously owned by the eccentric Sir Frank Crisp in Henley-on-Thames and bought by the musician George Harrison in 1970, as he left his former home Kinfauns, in Esher.-History:...
, but it remained unfinished when it came time to mount his 1974 American tour. With the album's release date pending, and Harrison's throat wracked by laryngitis
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds . Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause....
, the track was re-recorded quickly in an American studio, with his tour band, including Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
on keyboards.
Release
A single was issued in the US on November 18, 1974, reaching #15 in the U.S. pop singles chartBillboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The single's B-side was a non-album track, "I Don't Care Anymore." It was released as a single in the UK in February 1975, with the album track, "Hari's on Tour (Express)", on the B-side, but like the album it failed to chart in Britain at all.