George Harrison - Can't Stop Thinking About You

About "Can't Stop Thinking About You"

"Can't Stop Thinking About You" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released in 1975 on his final album for Apple Records, Extra Texture (Read All About It). A love song in the style of a soul/R&B ballad, it was written by Harrison in December 1973, towards the end of his marriage to Pattie Boyd and while he was having an affair with Maureen Starkey, the wife of his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr. Having first considered the song for his 1974 release Dark Horse, Harrison recorded "Can't Stop Thinking About You" in Los Angeles in May 1975 for his so-called "soul album", Extra Texture. Some authors view its inclusion on the latter release as an obvious attempt by Harrison to commercialise the album, in response to the harsh critical reception afforded Dark Horse and his 1974 North American tour.

The backing musicians on the recording include Nicky Hopkins, Jesse Ed Davis and David Foster, the last of whom also contributed a string arrangement. On release, "Can't Stop Thinking About You" was considered by some music critics to be a highlight of its parent album. In spite of the song's commercial qualities, it was passed over for release as the second single from Extra Texture in favour of "This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)". Among opinions in the 21st century, commentators have tended to dismiss the composition as repetitious and inconsequential, with author Simon Leng describing it as "pop-soul fluff".