Here Comes The Sun – Abbey Road – Collaboration
Here comes the song …
Ever since we went to the Abbey Road Studios with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel back in 2016 we have been itching to share these recordings with you. We just got Steve’s “OK” to do so! Just to explain again how it all came about, let us summarise the project before we get to the music:
In the beginning of 2016, Steve Harley decided to work with an upcoming company called GrooveMe on a project where they took different artists and turned them into holographs.
They would invite artists to re-record their biggest hits at Abbey Road Studios and subsequently film a 3D video of them performing the tracks in front of a green screen with some special cameras that would later allow them to turn the footage into a holographic version of the performance.
They are producing those videos mainly for the Asian market, but how, and if, our performance was ever used, we don’t know.
Steve asked us, as well as his long-time violinist Barry Wickens, to be his backing band. We had just been on tour with Steve, Barry and the rest of “Cockney Rebel” a few months prior (as part of his band as well as his support act), so we were ready for the task. We didn’t think twice about it, and off we went to London! :-)You can watch our comprehensive photo collection of that day here.
We recorded 4 songs in total, one of them being a cover. A Beatles cover, to be precise, which was only fitting since we were literally stood in the same spot where John, Paul, George and Ringo had recorded so many times at Abbey Road.
We would like to share the Beatles cover with you today. Arguably, it’s much more than a simple cover, as Steve Harley has made this song very much his own ever since its release in ’76.
The two of us are on percussion, guitar and backing vocals here. The beautiful orchestral arrangement was done outside of the studio, we did not record the string parts that day 🙂
Have a listen …
LISTEN: Here Comes The Sun – Steve Harley ft. MonaLisa Twins
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Ever since its release it seems like this synth pop version has divided people’s opinions, but we love that Steve had the guts to go along with this unique take on a George Harrison classic.
If you’re from Europe or the UK you will probably remember it from the radio. It was a “Top 10” hit here in England and did really well in Austria too. It was actually the first song of his that we ever heard when we were kids!
Here is the 1976 “Top of The Pop” performance of the Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel version:
Can you imagine what a blast it was to open each show on our tour together with this song?
Steve has been working on a new album lately called UNCOVERED which should be out sometime early next year so keep an eye out for that if you enjoy his work! All info about the release and his upcoming shows can be found at www.steveharley.com.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes …
Mona & Lisa
WOW WOW WOW…that Here Comes the Sun with you girls would be a great song for Steve Harley to open with every night on tour..that is a “killer” version and should be made into a single release and it would get worldwide airplay !!!!
Hey Mona and Lisa,
I have a couple of thoughts/feelings to pass on to you. While there are a lot of amazing/wonderful bands from the 60’s and 70’s, I think that the Beatles are the best band of all time, and their music is in no way “stale”. It will stand the test of time forever. Having said that, your covers of the Beatles songs and the songs of other groups of the 60’s, bring a wonderful freshness to the songs of those amazing artists, and I want to listen to your covers rather than going to my cds of the original artists. I’m not exactly sure why that is, I only know that it’s how I feel. Your covers are wonderfully fresh and alive. I bet a bunch of your MLT Club members agree. Please keep doing your music and posting videos as often as possible. Take care and stay safe.
Kenny
I really appreciate your sharing this with us as it is interesting…but, to be completely honest, i personally do not like Steve Harley’s version of this beloved song at all. In fact I hate both the 1976 take (which I am hearing here for the first time) and this last effort (which, by the way, one cannot even hear or recognize the Twin’s voices.) I know I am in the minority here, but what can I say? This represents to me the beginning of what started to happen in the mid to late 70’s to the truly organic, heartfelt music we loved prior the invasion of the machines. Disco is but a step away. “Here Comes The Sun” is without a doubt one of my most cherished Beatles songs. One that I have been wishing MLT would someday cover knowing that they would give it the respect and honor that it richly deserves while giving it a freshness all their own. I actually prefer listening to MLT’s Beatles covers to the originals because they do such magic with them. I will continue to wait for Mona & Lisa to do a proper cover of this revered Harrison tune, the way they did on “If I Needed Someone” with Mike Masse’.
It’s a great cover and it clearly got it’s recognition. The new version is fantastic. I can’t imagine how it might have felt to record “Here Comes The Sun” at Abbey Road. One thing is certain. You deserve every bit of it. With all his talent, experience and hard work, Steve Harley knows to ask you for your talents in such a situation.
Have always loved Steve’s version of this classic Beatles song.
Wow!! really it’s wonderful I loved…but.. hearing your voices in the background in this iconic Beatles’s song isn’t enough for me.. Please girls, sing ” here comes the sun ” for us.. maybe an acoustic Duo.. It will beautiful I know..
Please please please !!??
I like Steve Harleys more upbeat version of Here Comes the Sun. With the leading instrumental part it gives it a very elegant feel. A great version in it’s own right. Your vocals in the background give it an extra lift to the song which is a very nice touch. I hope one day you get to see your holographic performance and get to share it with us. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh, little darlin’s, it’s seemed like years, but it’s finally here. I was watching the “Groove Me” project since close to the beginning, so I heard the barest clip from this in one of their promotional videos, and was extremely excited. Since then, I have looked for information on how or where the holograms are being used, or even what a venue might need to host them, and information is difficult to come by. So happy, though, to finally get to hear a good recording of you performing with the legendary Steve Harley, and on one of my favorite Beatles tracks (You know, along with my other hundred-or-so favorites.) Too bad the rest of the world will never get to hear this, but thank you so much for sharing it with us. Great version of a great song.
Whoa… Wow… I LUV this version!!!! … When all the perfect ingredients are gathered and then blended, the outcome is superb… In my view, when the right moment, people, opportunity all align to be, well this is what occurs… All covers are not treated equal and shouldn’t be but sometimes it takes the perfect combo of all aspects to create a special gem. Yes, while there are those whom may not like certain cover versions and it’s their perogitive to decide that, I believe in having an opened minded musical ear and with this version, my musical ears rejoiced and I give kudos to Team MLT and Steve Harley and all others who were recording that day… It just works… Fabulously!! ?
This is my favorite Harrison Beatles-era song. Good to hear new performers keeping it out there.
Such an incredible song. Thanks for sharing.
Nice version. I love it. ???
Wow! This was great! Thanks Ladies So much for sharing!
To be recorded at ABBY ROAD had to be surreal! To be standing where the Beatles stood, had to be an out of world experience. Hearing both of you at the end was wonderful in its own right too. Thanks again! You’re the best?❤
“Our” little darlings sound great with Steve! Adding MLT can only benefit a recording by anyone!