Crackerbox Palace by George Harrison

Album: Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976)

Charted: 19

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The "Crackerbox Palace" was a modest home in Los Angeles where the comedian Lord Buckley (1906 – 1960) lived. George Harrison learned about it when he met Buckley's former manager, George Greif, at the Midem music conference in Cannes. They got to talking and Greif told Harrison about the Crackerbox Palace. Harrison, who could spot a song title when he heard one, wrote that phrase down on a cigarette pack and later turned it into a song. He made sure to mention George Greif in the lyric:

I met a Mr. Greif
And he said, I welcome you to Crackerbox Palace
After writing this song, Harrison started referring to his Friar Park estate, a 120-room neo-Gothic mansion, as the Crackerbox Palace, which is where the song takes place. Harrison lived at the estate from 1970 until his death in 2001.
The song was mainly a vehicle for the madcap music video, which was directed by Eric Idle of Monty Python fame. Shot at Friar Park, his famous gnomes that adorned the grounds are portrayed by costumed actors. Future Rutle Neil Innes plays the nurse pushing Harrison in a pram in the opening scene. George's future wife, Olivia Arias, plays one of the scantly dressed women standing next to his bed.
Harrison made elaborate videos for two other songs on the album as well: "True Love" and "This Song." MTV didn't launch until five years later, but Harrison made a deal to have "This Song" and "Crackerbox Palace" air on Saturday Night Live when he split musical guest duties with host Paul Simon in a second season episode that aired November 20, 1976.
Harrison's line "It's twoo, it's twoo" was lifted from the movie Blazing Saddles. It's a line spoken by Madeline Kahn about what she had heard about Black men. George loved offbeat comedies like that. >>
Suggestion credit:
Ken - Louisville, KY
Harrison was going for an island reggae feel on the song, but with marimbas (played by Emil Richards) instead of steel drums.
George Greif's cousin, Eric Greif, told Songfacts: "George was aware of the song, and was very proud that Harrison had included the story in 'Crackerbox Palace.' The big coincidence is that George represented Lord Buckley, a hero of Harrison's, and that sparked the friendship and interaction that Harrison memorialized in the song."

Comments: 17

AnonymousHe did NOT refer to Friar Park as Crackerbox Palace. Ever.
George Vreeland Hill from Beverly Hills, CaliforniaI bought this record when it came out, but I never knew the story behind Crackerbox Palace.
Thank you.
Mike from FlaDemonic images!!! I love the Beatles but I must say this is one weird ass song. Eating kids?
Robby M. from Sacramento, Ca. When I was about 7-8 years old I already knew this song in my heart and I was wondering if there's a song that is similar to it that I might have confused it with?.. Robby M.
Charles John from Albany IllinoisI play this song live at my solo acoustic shows..it has a difficult chord pattern very busy..but I got it down..always have someone thanking me for playing it afterwards
Jonathan F Hayden from Nashville Nc Grew up with Beatles and love John and George .
Bruce from San Jose, Calif.I Loved this unique tune with its catchy loopy, droopy, drippy sound!

At first I didn’t know it was George Harrison, but years later, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this was one if his songs...
Joost from HollandJim from Ocean Grove thinks Eric Clapton appears in the video (see below). I think the bearded man is not Clapton, but another Eric: Eric Idle, the man who directed this video.
Jim from Ocean Grove, Nj1. George bought Friar Park, Henley on Thames, in 1970. Previous owner was somewhat eccentric and so are the mansion and grounds.
2. George was a fan of the comedy of Richard Buckley, who had an English father but was an American comedian popular in the 1950s, who created a character LORD BUCKLEY (mocking a British Lord).
3. George met Buckley's former manager, George Greif, in late 1975 or 1976, who told him that Buckley's estate on the Echo Park area of Los Angeles was called Crackerbox Palace. George loved the name and began to call his Friar Park estate Crackerbox Palace.
4. George was a fan of the comedy of Monty Python and got them involved in making a video for this song in October, 1976. Many of George's friends are in the video (I think bearded Eric Clapton appears for a second sitting in a chair in the mansion, about 3/4 of the way through the video).
5. The line about the Lord is inside of you can mean BOTH the Lord Krsna (or simply God is immanent) and Lord Buckley, ie have comedy in your life, know that there is joy in this world.
Mark Lassman from Simi Valley, CaKayleigh, George Harrison did appear as a music guest on this November 20, 1976 showing of SNL, but he was not the host. The host of that night’s show was Paul Simon. NBC showed this program earlier tonight. Yes, it featured the premier of the "Crackerbox Palace" video, as has been mentioned.
Purusha Dasa from TxRead more about the Paramatma, the expansion of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, about whom George sings in the lyric "...know that the Lord is well and inside of you...."

http://www.krishna.com/info/supersoul-paramatma
Purusha Dasa from TxGeorge Harrison was a well-known devotee of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, (AKA a "Hare Krishna.")

The line "...know that the Lord is well and inside of you...." is a reference to the Paramatma, the expansion of the Supreme Lord who is present in the hearts of all living entities.
Kkevin from Oakville, Ontarui, CanadaI believe the video was directed by Eric Idle of Monty Python fame.
Kkevin from Oakville, Ontarui, CanadaThe line: "...know that the Lord is well and inside of you." is a reference to Lord Buckley; not a religious reference.
Jema from South Portland, MeI absolutely love this song!It's one of my very top favorites from George,it's also one of my top favorites out of every song I've ever heard.I always listen to this more then ounce at a time,I can't get enough of it.It bothers me how much I really love this song.This song is another example of why George's solo music is my favorite out of John,Paul and Ringo.
Kayleigh from Mystic, CtI was watching SNL from the 70s and George Harrison was the host, and he showed a clip from "Crackerbox Palace" that he did.
Charles from Charlotte, NcThe song's title was inspired by the name of comedian Lord Buckley's L.A. estate.

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