The Beatles and their legendary producer George Martin forged one of the most celebrated partnerships in music history. Known as “The Fifth Beatle,” Martin’s classical training and innovative spirit helped shape the band’s signature sound, blending pop, rock, and orchestral elements into a groundbreaking musical tapestry.
But even in such a fruitful collaboration, disagreements arose—and one of the most striking involved a George Harrison-penned song that Martin disliked so intensely, he removed it from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The song in question, “Only A Northern Song,” carried a backstory steeped in frustration and satire, making it a unique outlier in The Beatles’ catalog.
The Publishing Disparity That Sparked “Only A Northern Song”
At the heart of the story lies the inequity in Northern Songs Ltd, the publishing company that handled the Beatles’ music. Founded by manager Brian Epstein and publisher Dick James, Northern Songs was structured in a way that disproportionately favored John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The duo each owned 15% of the company, while George Harrison and Ringo Starr were relegated to a meager 1.6% stake each.
This disparity didn’t sit well with Harrison, especially as Lennon and McCartney’s dual roles as both bandmates and key shareholders amplified their financial gain. In his book A Hard Day’s Write, author Steve Turner notes that this lopsided arrangement motivated Harrison to channel his frustration into his songwriting.
“Only A Northern Song” emerged as a tongue-in-cheek critique of the situation. Harrison described it as a “piss-take,” openly mocking the business side of the Beatles. Lyrically, the song’s dry humor and self-awareness are apparent:
“It doesn’t really matter what chords I play / What words I say or time of day it is / As it’s only a Northern song.”
George Martin’s Strong Reaction
Despite Harrison’s clever commentary, “Only A Northern Song” didn’t resonate with George Martin. According to accounts, Martin found the track unpolished and lacking the creative spark he associated with The Beatles’ work, particularly during the Sgt. Pepper sessions. Allegedly, Martin’s distaste for the song was so pronounced that he vetoed its inclusion on the album, a rare move for the producer who usually championed artistic experimentation.
Instead, Harrison contributed the dreamy “Within You Without You,” a sitar-driven meditation on spiritual and philosophical themes, which perfectly complemented the album’s eclectic aesthetic.
The Song’s Later Redemption
While “Only A Northern Song” didn’t make it onto Sgt. Pepper, it wasn’t permanently shelved. The track eventually found a home on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack in 1969, allowing fans to hear Harrison’s pointed critique of the Beatles’ business dealings.
Though often overshadowed by Harrison’s later masterpieces like “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun,” “Only A Northern Song” remains a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of the world’s most famous band—a mix of wit, frustration, and artistic defiance that underscores Harrison’s unique voice within the Beatles.
