I've Got My Mind Set On You

Frustrated with the changing musical climate of the early 1980's, George Harrison decided to take a break from his recording career and pursue his other interests, such as film production with his own company, Handmade Films. The odd soundtrack or charity song would surface on occasion, but otherwise it was a musically silent period for Harrison. By late 1986, Harrison felt the desire to make music again and he asked former Electric Light Orchestra leader Jeff Lynne to co-produce an album with him. This collaboration was likely the spark that took form in 1988 as The Traveling Wilburys, with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison joining in on that project.

After a round of new compositions were written, Harrison entered his home studio at Friar Park on January 5, 1987 to begin recording his first new album in five years. Besides Harrison and Lynne, the sessions also included both Jim Keltner and Ringo Starr on drums, Eric Clapton on guitar, and on piano, both Gary Wright and Elton John, who was recovering from a vocal surgery at the time and needed something to do. Harrison actively promoted the album, entitled "Cloud Nine", with a new found enthusiasm by making a few music videos, which proved popular and greatly boosted the album's sales. He even made a rare concert appearance with Ringo at the Prince's Trust Concert that June.

The first single from "Cloud Nine" was a cover of an old favorite of George's called "I've Got My Mind Set On You", originally recorded by rhythm & blues singer James Ray in 1963. Of Harrison's three number one singles in the US, it was the only song not written by Harrison and the only one without religious overtones. Not only was this the last US number one hit by Harrison, but of any from the other Ex-Beatles in the US. When the song hit #1, it broke a three way tie among Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr, all of whom had two #1 hit singles as solo artists. Paul McCartney still leads in this category with nine #1 hits in the US.

It is likely that Harrison first heard the song as a young Beatle, while on a stateside trip to visit his sister, Louise in September 1963, when The Beatles were still relative unknowns in the US. Personal travel like this would be unthinkable for George in just a few short months.

The song was written by Rudy Clark, who later wrote "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)". Singer James Ray, who lived on a rooftop and was said to be a troubled soul with a 'difficult' personality, recorded the song for his first and only album in 1962. In September of 1963, producer Gerry Granahan released an edited single as "I've Got My Mind Set On You, Parts 1 & 2" as was the vogue of the day with R&B singles. Reportedly, James Ray died as he lived, on the streets, of a drug overdose in 1964.

As you might imagine, all things from George Harrison are available at Amazon and your local indie record store. For all you early soul collectors, a reissue of James Ray's sole album can be found at Amazon.

As a bonus for all you guitar gearheads, George's black 1957 Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet pictured on the cover of the "Cloud Nine" album, is now available as a reproduction from Gretsch guitars. But don't even think about it if you're not ready to bring your checkbook. They're only making 60 of them and they're going for $20,000 each. This video from Gretsch tells the story of the guitar and the intensive replication process.