"Something" in the Strings: George Harrison and the Joy of the Ukulele
- Rob Joyce
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
For all of George Harrison' s mystique-- the quiet Beatle, the spiritual one, the slide guitarist with a soul full of light-- there was another side to him that strummed with laughter and simplicity: his love of the ukulele. While many fans know Harrison as the sacred heart of The Beatles, his friends often remember him most for the sound of a ukulele in his hands and the warmth that followed.
George's affection for the instrument went back to his childhood, but it deepened later in life when he found that the ukulele embodied everything he valued-- joy, humility, and connection. He would buy them in bulk and hand them out to guests, urging them to "have a go." Tom Petty recalled that after dinner, George would pull out several ukes and the room would come alive with sing-a-longs. "You couldn't not play," Petty said. "He made you play."
For George, the ukulele wasn't just a pastime; it ws a way to bring people closer. He strummed with Paul McCartney, sang "Ain't She Sweet" on the porch with Eric Clapton, and found solace in its simple tone during quiet evenings at Friar Park. Even after his passing, Paul paid tribute by closing his concerts with "Something" -- beginning on a ukulele George had given him.
Tom Petty had also shared a story that perfectly captured George's spirit. One afternoon, Harrison showed up at Petty's house carrying a ukulele and insisted they spend the day playing.
When George was ready to leave, Petty walked him to his car-- and watched as Harrison popped open the trunk, revealing a pile of ukuleles. "We may need more," George said with a grin, leaving several behind. It turned out he always kept extras in his car, ready to hand out to friends so no one would be left out of the music.
That simple gesture spoke volumes about who George Harrison was. He believed in sharing joy, in the spontaneous togetherness that music creates.
His ukuleles weren't just instruments-- they were invitations to connect friends and joy.
Have a wonderful weekend. Rob
How has music helped bring you closer to the people in your life—just as George’s ukulele did for his friends?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Want to hear more fun George Harrison stories? Join me for The Traveling Wilburys on Thursday, Nov. 6th! Click here to learn more.
Paul McCartney performs on the ukulele George gave him and sings "Something" (2005)
Lovely story about George.