I Wrote a Simple Song (song)

"I Wrote a Simple Song" is a song by American soul musician Billy Preston that was first released as the title track to his album of the same name in November 1971. It was written by Preston and his regular collaborator, Joe Greene.[2] The song was also Preston's first single on A&M Records, following the end of his tenure on the Beatles' Apple record label.[3] In the United States, it peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4][5] Radio programmers there soon favored the B-side, the instrumental "Outa-Space", which had been Preston's choice for the lead side.[3] "Outa-Space" became a breakthrough US hit for Preston and his first RIAA-certified gold single.[6] The single was released in Britain on January 21, 1972.[1]

"I Wrote a Simple Song"
French picture sleeve
Single by Billy Preston
from the album I Wrote a Simple Song
B-side"Outa-Space"
ReleasedDecember 20, 1971[1]
GenreSoul, rock
Length3:28
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Billy Preston, Joe Greene
Producer(s)Billy Preston
Billy Preston singles chronology
"My Sweet Lord"
(1970)		 "I Wrote a Simple Song"
(1971)		 "Slaughter"
(1972)

The recording features a guest appearance from Preston's Apple producer, George Harrison, on dobro,[7] and an orchestral arrangement by Quincy Jones.[8] The song serves as an example of Preston's continuing association with Harrison after the Beatles' break-up, despite his departure for A&M.[8] Its release followed Preston's well-received performance of "That's the Way God Planned It" at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh shows on August 1, 1971, which had raised Preston's public profile.[9]

References
  1. Castleman, Harry; Podrazik, Walter J. (1976). All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975. New York, NY: Ballantine Books. p. 109. ISBN 0-345-25680-8.
  2. I Wrote a Simple Song/Music Is My Life (CD booklet, song credits). Billy Preston. BGO Records. 2011.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Hogan, Ed. "Billy Preston 'Outa-Space'". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. "Billy Preston 'I Wrote a Simple Song' Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. "Billy Preston: Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. Romanowski, Patricia; George-Warren, Holly (eds.) (1995). The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. New York, NY: Fireside/Rolling Stone Press. pp. 786–87. ISBN 0-684-81044-1.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  7. Leng, Simon (2006). While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard. pp. 108–09. ISBN 978-1-4234-0609-9.
  8. Tobler, John (2011). I Wrote a Simple Song/Music Is My Life (CD booklet). Billy Preston. BGO Records. p. 4.
  9. Ginell, Richard S. "George Harrison The Concert for Bangladesh [Bonus Track]". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
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