This 2001 Song Became Beatles Guitarist George Harrison's Final Recording Before His Death

Before George Harrison's death at 58, the Beatles’ lead guitarist delivered one final hit that carried deep personal meaning. In 2001, Harrison recorded the only song he's ever developed with his son, Dhani Harrison.

In his music career, Harrison had previously written a song in honor of his song after his birth in 1978. The song "Unknown Delight" was released on his 1982 album Gone Troppo. It took almost 20 years before Harrison could record a song with his son, and it unknowingly became his last.

The song "Horse to the Water" was recorded by Harrison on guitar and on lead vocals, while his son also played guitar. Instead of the song being released as their own, it became part of the 2001 album Small World, Big Band. It was performed by Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and Friends.

According to American Songwriter, Harrison and his son's parts were sent out to Holland in London, where his band finished the rest. All the while, Harrison sang the track while battling throat cancer.

"Horse in the Water" was recorded in early October 2001, with Harrison having died almost two months later on November 29, 2001. The song was later released shortly after his death in December.

In May of that year, Harrison had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs, and in July underwent treatment for a brain tumor. The month of his death, he was in New York getting radiotherapy for non–small cell lung cancer that had spread to his brain.

The Beatles' guitarist died on a property belonging to Paul McCartney and was in the company of his wife, son, his daughter Olivia, and close family and friends present, including musician Ravi Shankar.

Fans have long seen the song as Harrison’s lighthearted reflection on his continued smoking habits, despite their risks and his cancer diagnosis. True to his wit, he listed the copyright under "R.I.P Music Ltd." instead of "Harrisongs."

Source: Gabriela Silva/yahoo.com