Bangla Desh – George Harrison

A charity single for the people of East Pakistan (Bangladesh) provided George Harrison with his second top 10 hit in 1971.

Bangla Desh on YouTube. (Opens a new window. Listen to the music of George Harrison as you read on.)

This week in 1971, Bangla Desh by George Harrison peaked at number 10 in the UK singles chart. It had entered the top 40 two weeks previously at number 27. After only one week in the top 10 it started to slide down the chart, spending another four weeks in the top 40 before leaving.

Bangla Desh was released on the Apple record label. George Harrison wrote and recorded the song to raise money to help the people of what was then East Pakistan following a cyclone and the Bangladesh Liberation War. A fund raising concert took place in Madison Square Garden, New York on 1 August 1971 where Harrison performed the song live.

More from George Harrison

UK singles chart for the week ending 28 August 1971

1. I'm still waiting – Diana Ross
2. Never ending song of love – New Seekers
3. What are you doing Sunday – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
4. Get it on – T Rex
5. In my own time – Family
6. Let your yeah be yeah – Pioneers
7. Devil's answer – Atomic Rooster
8. Soldier blue – Buffy Sainte-Marie
9. Hey girl don't bother me – Tams
10. Bangla Desh – George Harrison

12. Move on up – Curtis Mayfield