Ding Dong, Ding Dong
Encyclopedia
"Ding Dong, Ding Dong" is a song by George Harrison
, released 6 December 1974 on Apple Records
.
's holiday song for New Year's Day
. The song, which also appeared on the album Dark Horse, was a modest hit when it was released (peaking at #36 in the United States, #38 in the United Kingdom and #31 in Germany), but nowadays rarely gets airplay during the Christmas season. A video was made in which — as the song's lyrics suggest — George "rang out the old" by appearing in a grey collarless suit and playing his Rickenbacker
12-string guitar, as he had during The Beatles' early years. He also appears briefly in his Sgt. Pepper uniform for the first time since the "Hello Goodbye" promos in late 1967.
The lyrics were taken largely from engravings that George had seen carved on the walls of his Friar Park Mansion.
The B-side, "I Don't Care Anymore", which is thought to refer to his frustration with the long drawn-out court case relating to his major hit "My Sweet Lord
", has yet to be released on CD.
The other musicians include Gary Wright
on piano, Mick Jones
, Alvin Lee
and Ron Wood
(or 'Ron Would If You Let Him' on the album inner sleeve credits) on guitars, Klaus Voorman on bass, Ringo Starr
and Jim Keltner
on drums, and Tom Scott
on horns.
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...
, released 6 December 1974 on Apple Records
Apple Records
Apple Records is a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968, as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for the Beatles, both as a group and individually, plus a selection of other artists including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger, and Billy Preston...
.
Background
"Ding Dong, Ding Dong" was George HarrisonGeorge 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 holiday song for New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
. The song, which also appeared on the album Dark Horse, was a modest hit when it was released (peaking at #36 in the United States, #38 in the United Kingdom and #31 in Germany), but nowadays rarely gets airplay during the Christmas season. A video was made in which — as the song's lyrics suggest — George "rang out the old" by appearing in a grey collarless suit and playing his Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
12-string guitar, as he had during The Beatles' early years. He also appears briefly in his Sgt. Pepper uniform for the first time since the "Hello Goodbye" promos in late 1967.
The lyrics were taken largely from engravings that George had seen carved on the walls of his Friar Park Mansion.
The B-side, "I Don't Care Anymore", which is thought to refer to his frustration with the long drawn-out court case relating to his major hit "My Sweet Lord
My Sweet Lord
"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
", has yet to be released on CD.
The other musicians include Gary Wright
Gary Wright
Gary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
on piano, Mick Jones
Mick Jones (Foreigner)
Michael Leslie "Mick" Jones is an English guitarist, songwriter, and record producer best known as the founding member of the rock band Foreigner.-Life and career:...
, Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
and Ron Wood
Ron Wood
Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
(or 'Ron Would If You Let Him' on the album inner sleeve credits) on guitars, Klaus Voorman on bass, Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
and Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
on drums, and Tom Scott
Tom Scott (musician)
Tom Scott is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, conductor and bandleader of the west coast jazz/jazz fusion ensemble The L.A. Express.-Biography:Scott was born in Los Angeles, California...
on horns.