Isn't It a Pity
"Isn't It a Pity" is a song by English musician George Harrison from his 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass. It appears in two variations there: one the well-known, seven-minute version; the other a reprise, titled "Isn't It a Pity (Version Two)". Harrison wrote the song in 1966, but it was rejected for inclusion on releases by the Beatles. In many countries around the world, the song was also issued on a double A-side single with "My Sweet Lord". In America, Billboard magazine listed it with "My Sweet Lord" when the single topped the Hot 100 chart, while in Canada, "Isn't It a Pity" reached number 1 as the preferred side.
An anthemic ballad and one of Harrison's most celebrated compositions, "Isn't It a Pity" has been described as the emotional and musical centrepiece of All Things Must Pass and "a poignant reflection on The Beatles' coarse ending". Co-produced by Phil Spector, the recording employs multiple keyboard players, rhythm guitarists and percussionists, as well as orchestration by arranger John Barham. In its extended fadeout, the song references the closing refrain of the Beatles' 1968 hit "Hey Jude". Other musicians on the recording include Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Gary Wright and the band Badfinger, while the reprise version features Eric Clapton on lead guitar.
Isn't It a Pity?
"Isn't It a Pity?" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for the 1933 musical Pardon My English. It was introduced by George Givot and Josephine Huston.
Notable recordings
References
Isnt It A Pity
Isn't it a pity
You don't know what I'm talking about yet
But I'm gonna tell you soon
It's a pity
Isn't it a pity
Isn't it a shame
Yes, how we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back, forgetting to remember
Just forgetting a note of thank you
Isn't it a pity
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
Why not too many people can see that we are all just the same
We're all guilty
Because all the tears
Our eyes just can't hope to see
But I don't think it's applicable to me
The beauty that surrounds them
Child, isn't it a pity
How we take each other's love
The most precious thing without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back, forgetting to keep open the door
But I understand some things take so long
But how do I explain
Why not too many people can see, we're just the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
God, isn't it a pity
The beauty that surrounds them
It's a pity
The beauty that surrounds them
It's a pity
The beauty that surrounds us
And we don't see it
We think things are just the same
We've been programmed that way
Isn't it a pity
If you want to feel sorry
Isn't it a pity, isn't it a pity
The beauty sets the beauty that surrounds us
Because of all our tears
Our eyes can't hope to see
Maybe one day at least I'll see me
And just concentrate on givin', givin', givin', givin'
And till that day mankind don't stand a chance
Don't know nothin' about romance, everything is plastic
Isn't it a pity
