There is a little bit of history behind this sordid Beatles tune. George Harrison was part owner of a song publishing company – which was also wholly owned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney – called Northern Songs. This music publishing company was actually created so that the band members could make more money off their music via its always omnipresent demand and the many different avenues of mechanical and licensing synchronization incomes that could be derived. Many people think that Harrison wrote this song to speak out against the publishing company, as he only owned .8%. When compared to Lennon or McCartney who owned about 15% each.

Obviously, because Lennon and McCartney had more vested financial interest in the company, they would make more money from the profits than Harrison would. The song speaks out from a personal note that expresses Harrison’s frustrations with not making nearly as much money from doing the same amount of work that McCartney and Lennon were earning.

These lyrics, (quoted below) are pulled directly from the song and serve to  exemplify how Harrison was feeling at the time. Keep in mind, Harrison had been growing ever impatient with the band up to this point and had already threatened to leave the group on several prior occasions. His dissatisfaction with the band and that he was earning less money ultimately would lead to him leaving the group for good.

“It doesn't really matter what chords I play…what words I say, or time of day it is….As it's only a Northern Song.”

“Only a Northern Song” was featured as a cartoon in the smash hit animated album “Yellow Submarine” in 1968 – one of the most famous animated movies of all time. It would never really become that great of a hit. But from the mind of Harrison, perhaps, it was his way of saying his piece and leaving it at that.

Only a Northern Song Video Included Below
I have included a clip that features this song for your listening enjoyment. The video I found on Youtube.com and it is not of the greatest quality, I am sad to say. However, it does allow you to get an earful gander at this tune. See if you can catch how frustrated George Harrison comes off in his lyrics. Can you tell if he is expressing annoyance at the band, and that he is not being offered fair amounts of royalties from the publishing company? Have a listen and see for yourself!