isn’t it a shame?
How we break each other’s hearts/
And cause each other pain?
Coming out of the breakup of The Beatles, George Harrison was on fire. His songs were often left off Beatles albums because he just happened to be in a band with the best song writing duo of all-time. By 1970, Harrison had a lot to say.
“Isn’t it a Pity” is an outstanding song, though it never received much commercial success. He couldn’t find a mix he loved, and the song is rather somber and long. But the song is insightful and shows a tender side of Harrison that we have all come to love.
There are a couple of ways to interpret this song. Is this song about a love gone sour? Or is it about how people in general treat each other poorly? Each reading makes sense and both are familiar themes in Harrison’s work.
I am inclined to lean toward the former reading. It is tragic that people can love each other for some time and then turn into the worst of enemies—or at least people who hurt each other. It seems we are hurt much more often by people we love than by people we hate or people we are indifferent to. It’s tragic. It’s a pity.
Is this just how life must be, or could we do better? We can hear Harrison’s disillusionment. He doesn’t have the answer any more than we do. Note he isn’t blaming other people for their shortcomings. He recognizes that he lets down others just as others do to him.
There are two versions: the 4 minute and the 7-minute version. Both are good, but the 7 minute is superior. It is produced by Phil Spector. The best aspect of the recording is the choir. It adds a weightiness to the sound that would otherwise be missing. The orchestration and lead guitar by Eric Clapton are also highlights.
Isn’t It A Pity Lyrics
Isn’t it a pity
Now, isn’t it a shame
How we break each other’s hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other’s love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn’t it a pity
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we’re all the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can’t hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn’t it a pity
Isn’t it a pity
Isn’t is a shame
How we break each other’s hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other’s love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn’t it a pity
Forgetting to give back
Isn’t it a pity
Forgetting to give back
Now, isn’t it a pity
What a pity
What a pity, pity, pity
What a pity
What a pity, pity, pity
written by George Harrison