US album release: Living In The Material World by George Harrison ā 30 May 1973
Wednesday 30 May 1973 | George Harrison, Release
On Wednesday 30 May 1973, George Harrison released his fourth solo album, Living In The Material World, in the United States. It was his second solo album following The Beatles' split, and the highly anticipated follow-up to the landmark triple album All Things Must Pass.
The Lead Single: Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
Ahead of the album, Harrison released 'Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)' as a US single on 7 May 1973, with 'Miss O'Dell' on the B-side. The UK release followed on 25 May 1973.
The single was a major international hit:
- US: Topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week at the end of June 1973
- UK: Peaked at number eight
- Also a top ten hit in: Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway
The Album
Living In The Material World was released in the US on 30 May 1973, with the UK release following on 22 June 1973. It was an immediate commercial success:
- Entered the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart at number 11, reaching number one the following week
- Certified gold by the RIAA within two days of release, for sales of over 500,000
- In the UK it peaked at number two, held off the top spot by the soundtrack to the Ringo Starr film That'll Be The Day
However, sales declined when Harrison chose not to release 'Don't Let Me Wait Too Long' as a second single.
Promotion
Harrison opted not to promote the album in the conventional sense. The exceptions were pre-recorded interview tapes sent to BBC Radio 1. His only public appearance at the time was as part of a religious procession through central London on 8 July 1973.
Key Facts: 30 May 1973
- Release: Living In The Material World (US)
- Artist: George Harrison
- Label: Apple Records
- US release date: 30 May 1973
- UK release date: 22 June 1973
- Album number: Fourth solo album; second post-Beatles
- US chart peak: Number one (Billboard Top LPs & Tape)
- UK chart peak: Number two
- RIAA certification: Gold (within two days of release)
- Lead single: 'Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)' / 'Miss O'Dell' ā US number one
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Living In The Material World released?
Living In The Material World was released in the United States on 30 May 1973, and in the UK on 22 June 1973.
Did Living In The Material World reach number one?
Yes. The album entered the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart at number 11 and reached number one the following week. In the UK it peaked at number two, held off the top spot by the That'll Be The Day soundtrack.
What was the lead single from Living In The Material World?
'Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)', released in the US on 7 May 1973 with 'Miss O'Dell' on the B-side. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week and was a top ten hit in multiple countries.
Why didn't Living In The Material World sell as well as All Things Must Pass?
Sales declined partly because Harrison chose not to release 'Don't Let Me Wait Too Long' as a second single, and also because he did not promote the album publicly, aside from pre-recorded interview tapes for BBC Radio 1.
What was George Harrison's only public appearance around the time of Living In The Material World?
Harrison's only public appearance at the time was as part of a religious procession through central London on 8 July 1973.
Shop Beatles Merch: Beatles T-Shirts & Tops | Shop by Era
0 comments