Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)

Written by: Harrison
Recorded: October 1972 – March 1973
Producer: George Harrison

Released: 7 May 1973 (US), 25 May 1973 (UK)

Available on:
Living In The Material World
Live In Japan

Personnel

George Harrison: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Nicky Hopkins: piano
Gary Wright: harmonium
Klaus Voormann: bass guitar
Jim Keltner: drums

‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ is the opening track on George Harrison’s fourth solo album Living In The Material World.

We did the tracking at Apple. The songs were just cool, simple little songs, but when we got to ‘Give Me Love’, I thought to myself, ‘This is hard work, this one!’ The drums are kind of subdued, but I was playing a very busy little syncopated part, trying to play with the guitar – and George was so easy to play with. When we finally got the take, I remember listening and thinking, ‘I wouldn’t have got away with that with anybody else.’ Any other producer would probably have said, ‘OK, that’s cool, now let’s have a proper backbeat and nail it down.’

The release

‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ was Harrison’s first single since ‘Bangla Desh’ in July 1971. Its release was delayed to make way for The Beatles’ compilations 1962-1966 and 1967-1970, and Wings’ Red Rose Speedway.

The single, with ‘Miss O’Dell’ on the b-side, was eventually issued on 7 May 1973 in the USA, and 25 May in the UK. The album Living In The Material World followed on 30 May and 22 June in the respective countries.

‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week, and peaked at number 8 on the UK singles chart. It was also a top 10 hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway.

By the time we got back to LA we were already hearing it on the radio. One day we got into the car. It was me and my wife Cynthia, George and Pattie, and Richard Perry and Joni Mitchell. We went to the Playboy Mansion and that night in the car they were playing ‘Give Me Love’ on the radio. It blew my mind. He always said it was a little prayer. I still well up to this day when I hear it.

In the studio

Nineteen takes of ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ were recorded on 9 October 1972. The song was listed as ‘Give Me Love, Give Me Life’ on the tape box.

The basic track had Klaus Voormann’s bass guitar on track one, and Jim Keltner’s drums on two and three. Harrison’s acoustic guitar was on five, and his vocals were on 10. Nicky Hopkins’s piano was recorded on tracks seven and eight, and Gary Wright’s harmonium was on 11 and 12.

Prior to take 11, Harrison suggested a joke chant based on the Hare Krishna mantra: “All together, Harry Nilsson, Harry Nilsson, Nilsson Nilsson, Harry Harry!”

Takes 12, 13, and 15 were complete, although the arrangement was not yet finalised. The master, take 19, was preceded with a version of Hank Williams’ ‘Lovesick Blues’, which was named ‘I’ve Got A Feeling Called The Blues’ on the tape box.

Live performances

Harrison performed ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ throughout his 1974 North American tour and his 1991 Japanese tour. A recording from the latter can be heard on 1992’s Live In Japan.

It was also played during Harrison’s concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 6 April 1992, his only full solo show in the UK.

Jeff Lynne performed ‘Give Me Love’ during the Concert For George tribute show at the Royal Albert Hall on 29 November 2002.

Music video

On 16 December 2025 a new music video for ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)’ was released. It was directed by Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, with the animation directed by Akash Jones.

Wolfhard met Dhani Harrison while working on Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in London, and later visited Dhani and Olivia Harrison at Friar Park. More than a year later he was contacted by comedian Fred Armisen, who put his name forward as a potential director for the video.

I got a random text from Fred after a few days and he was like, ‘Hey, the George Harrison estate is trying to figure out a director for ‘Give Me Love’, but they haven’t found anyone yet. I threw your name in the hat.’ I was shocked. It was flattering enough that he even mentioned me. Then it was a coincidence that I already knew Dhani.

The project was managed remotely, with Wolfhard sending photographs of his Friar Park visit, and even acting elements to send to the animators.

Sometimes I would send a video of myself doing the movement of George so that they could take it. From them, it was a lot of giving notes over the phone and texts, and having my friends round out and take liberties where I wasn’t able to. They did an unbelievable amount of work every day.