The Rejected Beatles Song That Became a Hit for George Harrison: A Key Factor in the Band’s Breakup

George Harrison’s song “Isn’t It A Pity” was rejected three times by The Beatles during his tenure with the band before becoming one of his most celebrated solo hits in 1970.

Written by Harrison in 1966, the somber track reflects on heartache and mutual responsibility in relationships, with lyrics including “Isn’t it a pity? / Isn’t it a shame? / How we break each other’s hearts / And cause each other pain.” Harrison later explained that the song served as an observation of how people take each other for granted and forget to give back, noting that if he felt let down by someone, there was a good chance he was letting someone else down as well.

The song’s rejection by John Lennon and Paul McCartney highlighted the growing creative tensions within the band, particularly Harrison’s feeling of being pushed out of the songwriting process. This dynamic was cited as one factor in The Beatles’ eventual breakup, with Harrison expressing frustration over the dominance of the Lennon-McCartney partnership in the group’s musical direction.

Despite the repeated rejections, Harrison persisted with the song, which eventually appeared on his landmark triple album All Things Must Pass released in November 1970. The track was issued in two versions: a seven-minute rendition and a shorter reprise titled “Isn’t It a Pity (Version Two).” In the United States, it was released as a double A-side single with “My Sweet Lord,” and Billboard magazine listed both songs together when the single topped the Hot 100 chart.

Co-produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, the recording features extensive orchestral and choral arrangements by John Barham, multiple keyboard and rhythm guitarists, percussionists, and a prominent slide guitar performance by Harrison — a technique he introduced on the album. The song’s long fadeout includes a reference to the closing refrain of The Beatles’ 1968 hit “Hey Jude.”

Critics and fans have long regarded “Isn’t It A Pity” as the emotional and musical centerpiece of All Things Must Pass, with some describing it as a poignant reflection on the band’s fractured ending. Its enduring resonance lies in its universal themes of empathy, accountability, and the quiet sorrow of human disconnection.