Bill Harry, creator/editor of the landmark early 60′s Liverpool pop music newspaper MERSEY BEAT and close associate of The Beatles, insists that George Harrison composed “Don’t Bother Me” as a response to Harry’s persistent urging him to write his own songs. Harry recently said in a MERSEY BEAT community discussion on Facebook that Harrison was very insecure about his songwriting potential in 1963 & that Harry kept bugging George to write until a frustrated Harrison told Harry “Don’t bother me” (about it). Perhaps being sick in bed irritated George further!! The sentiments in this song seemed a dark contrast to The Beatles’ cheery early musical profile. In retrospect, however, maybe “Don’t Bother Me” had a note of prophetic truth as George became disillusioned with the pressures of being a Beatle within a few years and wanted the whole thing to just go away, diving into Eastern music and philosophy as an alternate experience. As it turns out, Harry’s friendly harassment was a gift, as Harrison of course turned out to be a fine songwriter with much more to say than “Don’t Bother Me.”

— Katie A. Jones, Aurora, IL (BackbeatChicago@gmail.com)