Who Owns The Here Comes The Sun? Discover the Owner

Ever wonder who actually owns the rights to “Here Comes The Sun”? It’s a question with a surprisingly layered answer, touching on music history and some massive business deals, including those involving luxury superyachts.

We’ll trace the song’s journey from George Harrison’s pen to its current home, and even peek at how it connects to the world of superyacht builders like Amels-whose Here Comes The Sun yacht is a masterpiece of maritime engineering. Let’s untangle the ownership story together.

Introduction: The Mystery Behind a Timeless Anthem

Few songs evoke pure optimism like ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ yet the story of who owns the rights to this beloved track is as intricate as its harmonies. The song itself, written by George Harrison, has become a universal soundtrack for brighter days. But the question of ownership extends far beyond the melody, reaching into the world of luxury yachts and billionaires.

Interestingly, the same name adorns one of the most magnificent superyachts ever built. This vessel, named Here Comes The Sun, is a stunning 89m (292-foot) motor yacht crafted by the renowned Amels shipyard. The yacht represents a fascinating intersection of musical legacy and maritime engineering, drawing curiosity from both music fans and yachting enthusiasts alike.

The ownership journey of this spectacular yacht is a tale of high-profile sales and wealthy industrialists. Built in 2016 and launched in 2017, the yacht quickly became a symbol of opulence on the high seas. Its current owner, New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart, acquired the vessel through a private sale in 2021, adding another layer to its intriguing story. The yacht was later listed for sale in 2023 with an asking price of $195,000,000, and it remains one of the largest yachts ever built by the Amels shipyard.

Understanding the ownership structure requires looking beyond the surface. The yacht flies the Cayman Islands flag and is registered with Lloyds Register, details that hint at the complex corporate entities behind such massive assets. With a steel hull, aluminium superstructure, and teak decks, the yacht measures 89m (292-foot) in length, with a beam of 14.5m and a draught of 3.8m, totaling approximately 2,800 gross tons. Powered by Caterpillar engines, she can reach a top speed of 15.5 knots and cruises comfortably at 13 knots, accommodating up to 12 guests and a crew of 19. The blend of musical heritage and nautical luxury makes this a truly unique story worth exploring in depth.

The Song’s Origins: Written by George Harrison

Understanding who owns ‘Here Comes The Sun’ begins with its creation, a moment of personal relief for George Harrison that would resonate for decades. The track stands as one of the most beloved songs in The Beatles’ catalog, yet its journey started during a tense period within the band.

Harrison had long been the quiet Beatle, often overshadowed by the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership. By 1969, he had amassed a collection of songs that would eventually define his legacy as a composer. ‘Here Comes The Sun’ marked a turning point in his career and in the band’s final chapter, and its enduring popularity would later inspire the naming of a magnificent superyacht.

The song appears on the album Abbey Road, recorded during sessions that were both productive and strained. It became one of the most streamed Beatles songs in the modern era, proving that Harrison’s moment of personal joy had universal appeal.

Composition and Inspiration

Written in the spring of 1969, ‘Here Comes The Sun’ emerged from a period of personal renewal for George Harrison. He had recently left a business meeting at the Beatles’ Apple Corps headquarters, feeling drained by the pressures of the music industry. Seeking escape, he visited his friend Eric Clapton’s house in Surrey.

Clapton’s garden provided the perfect setting for creative recovery. Harrison borrowed a guitar and began crafting a melody that captured the relief of escaping a dark, stressful winter. The lyrical theme of light breaking through clouds mirrored his own emotional state at that moment.

The song’s structure is deceptively simple, yet its effect is profound. It features a distinctive guitar riff that cycles through a bright, uplifting progression in the key of A major. The lyrics speak to hope and resilience, with the recurring promise that “the sun” will arrive after difficult times.

Harrison’s personal inspiration gave the song an authenticity that listeners feel instinctively. The gentle verses build toward a triumphant chorus, creating a musical arc that mirrors the emotional journey from despair to optimism.

Recording at Abbey Road Studios

The recording of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ at Abbey Road Studios showcased the band’s innovative studio techniques and Harrison’s growing songwriting confidence. Sessions began in July 1969, with the track requiring multiple takes to achieve its polished final form. The song’s legacy would later inspire the naming of a superyacht built by Amels Holland in Vlissingen, featuring exterior design by Tim Heywood and interior by Winch Design.

Harrison’s acoustic guitar work forms the backbone of the track, played with a bright, fingerpicked style that gives the song its distinctive warmth. Paul McCartney contributed bass and backing vocals, while Ringo Starr provided the steady, understated drum pattern. John Lennon was absent during the initial sessions, recovering from a car accident. Interestingly, the song’s name also graces the exterior design by Tim Heywood and interior by Winch Design on the superyacht, adding a creative touch to the vessel.

A notable feature of the recording is the use of a Moog synthesizer, one of the earliest appearances of the instrument on a Beatles track. Harrison had purchased the synthesizer earlier in 1969 and used it to add subtle electronic textures that enhanced the song’s futuristic yet organic feel.

Producer George Martin helped shape the arrangement, encouraging the band to experiment with the mix. The result was a track that felt fresh and modern, a departure from the heavier rock sound of some of their earlier work. The song’s layered harmonies and precise production demonstrated how far the band had evolved in the studio.

Publishing Rights: The Beatles’ Songwriting Partnership

The ownership of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ is intrinsically tied to the Beatles’ songwriting partnership and the corporate structure they built around it. Publishing rights determine who earns royalties when a song is played, performed, or covered. For the Beatles, this system was both a source of immense wealth and a point of contention. The same name also adorns a stunning superyacht, which was sold by broker Burgess to its current owner.

The band’s songwriting agreements were signed early in their career, often under pressure and without the benefit of legal experts. These contracts governed how their compositions were administered for decades. Understanding this structure is essential to tracing who owns the song today.

George Harrison wrote the melody and lyrics, but authorship alone did not dictate where the money flowed. The corporate agreements in place at the time held significant sway over the song’s financial destiny. This distinction between writing a song and owning its publishing rights is the key to the entire story.

Northern Songs and the Lennon-McCartney Catalog

Northern Songs, the publishing company founded by the Beatles, held the rights to most of their compositions, including ‘Here Comes The Sun.’ The company was established in 1963, with John Lennon and Paul McCartney as the primary shareholders. George Harrison and Ringo Starr held smaller stakes in the business. The song’s name also graces a superyacht built by Amels, which was sold by Fraser to its current owner, Robyn Jessie Hart.

Despite Harrison writing the song solo, it was published under Northern Songs and thus subject to the same agreements as Lennon-McCartney tracks. This meant the publishing revenue was split according to the company’s shareholding structure, not solely based on who wrote the song. Harrison received a songwriter’s royalty, but the publishing income was shared across the partnership.

This arrangement was a common source of frustration for Harrison, who felt his contributions were undervalued. The corporate structure treated all Beatles compositions equally, regardless of which member created them. This system remained in place throughout the band’s active years and continues to affect the song’s ownership today.

How Harrison’s Solo Credits Differ

Unlike his Beatles songs, Harrison’s solo compositions after the band’s breakup were published under his own company, giving him greater control. He established Harrisongs in the late 1960s, but it did not apply to his Beatles-era work. This separation is crucial for understanding the ownership of ‘Here Comes The Sun.’ The song’s name also graces a superyacht built by Amels, which was sold by broker Burgess to its current owner.

When Harrison wrote songs for his solo albums, he retained full publishing rights through Harrisongs. He also renegotiated his Beatles contracts in the 1970s, but the existing catalog, including ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ remained under Northern Songs. His solo catalog, such as ‘My Sweet Lord,’ is owned entirely by his estate through his own company.

The distinction means that ‘Here Comes The Sun’ is still administered under the original Northern Songs agreements, while Harrison’s later work follows a different ownership path. This is why the song’s ownership is tied to the Beatles’ corporate history, not just the songwriter’s personal wishes. The song remains part of a shared catalog, subject to the same management as classic Lennon-McCartney hits.

The Current Owner: Sony/ATV and the Michael Jackson Deal

The acquisition of Northern Songs by Michael Jackson in 1985 and its subsequent merger with Sony transformed the ownership landscape for Beatles songs. This shift placed the publishing rights to classics like Here Comes The Sun under corporate control rather than with the original songwriters. The journey from a bidding war to a global publishing powerhouse took decades to unfold. Meanwhile, the same name was given to a spectacular superyacht built by Amels, which was sold by broker Burgess to its current owner.

Today, the entity known as Sony Music Publishing administers the catalog that includes this iconic track. Understanding this transition requires a look back at the 1980s, when a pop superstar outbid a Beatle for a prized music asset. The ripple effects of that deal are still felt in the music industry today. Interestingly, the same name graces a superyacht built by Amels, which was sold by broker Burgess to its current owner.

The ownership story is complex, involving personal friendships, legal disputes, and massive corporate mergers. Each phase of the catalog’s history has shaped how fans and artists access these beloved songs. The result is a publishing arrangement that generates significant revenue and licensing fees. The song’s name also adorns a superyacht built by Amels, featuring exterior design by Tim Heywood and interior by Winch Design, and powered by Caterpillar engines.

The 1985 Acquisition and Its Aftermath

In 1985, Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music, which owned Northern Songs, thereby gaining control of the Beatles’ publishing catalog. The deal reportedly cost around $47.5 million, beating out a joint bid from Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. Jackson had been advised by McCartney himself that owning publishing rights was the real money-maker in the music business.

The acquisition caused a significant rift between Jackson and McCartney, who had previously collaborated on hits together. McCartney felt betrayed that his friend had outbid him for songs he had written. The personal fallout from this business deal became legendary in music industry lore.

Jackson’s ownership meant that the Beatles’ songs, including Here Comes The Sun, were now controlled by an outside party. This arrangement allowed Jackson to license the songs for commercials, films, and covers without the original songwriters’ approval. The legacy of the Beatles became intertwined with the financial interests of another superstar.

During Jackson’s tenure, the catalog appreciated significantly in value. He used the publishing rights as collateral for loans, demonstrating the immense financial power of these compositions. However, his mounting debts in the 2000s put the catalog at risk, setting the stage for the next major transition.

Transition to Sony Music Publishing

Following Michael Jackson’s death, his estate sold its stake in Sony/ATV, leading to Sony’s full ownership of the catalog by 2018. The Jackson estate had entered into a complex agreement with Sony to sell its 50% share for a reported $750 million. This transaction gave Sony complete control over the Beatles’ publishing rights for the first time.

The merger that created Sony/ATV originally took place in 1995, combining Jackson’s ATV Music with Sony’s publishing arm. This joint venture managed the catalog for over two decades, navigating legal battles and financial disputes. The death of Jackson in 2009 complicated matters, as his estate worked to resolve his substantial debts.

In 2016, Sony exercised an option to buy out the Jackson estate’s share, a process that concluded in 2018. The newly consolidated entity was rebranded as Sony Music Publishing in 2021. This company now administers the rights to Here Comes The Sun and other Beatles classics on a global scale.

Today, Sony Music Publishing manages licensing, royalty collection, and synchronization rights for the catalog. This means any film, television show, or advertisement using the song must secure permission from this corporate entity. The ownership journey from a personal rivalry to a multinational corporation reflects the evolving nature of the music business.

Who Profits Today? Royalties and Streaming Income

With modern streaming platforms and media usage, the royalties from ‘Here Comes The Sun’ flow to multiple parties, but the bulk goes to the publisher. The song generates income every time it is played on Spotify, Apple Music, radio, or any other commercial platform. This steady revenue stream ensures the song remains a valuable asset decades after its release.

The key players in this financial structure are George Harrison’s estate, the publisher Sony Music Publishing, and the record label that controls the original master recording. Each entity receives a different portion of the income depending on the type of royalty being collected. The estate benefits directly from Harrison’s songwriting credits, while Sony manages the licensing and collection processes globally.

Because ‘Here Comes The Sun’ appears on The Beatles’ Abbey Road album, the record label also earns from the sound recording itself. This means a single stream can generate multiple payments that are split between the songwriter’s estate, the publisher, and the label. The complexity of these arrangements explains why ownership of classic songs often involves several corporate entities.

Mechanical and Performance Royalties

Mechanical royalties from physical and digital sales, plus performance royalties from radio and streaming, generate ongoing income for rightsholders. Mechanical royalties apply when the song is reproduced, such as on vinyl, CDs, or digital downloads. Performance royalties apply when the song is played publicly, whether on terrestrial radio, satellite radio, or streaming services.

As the songwriter, George Harrison’s estate receives the full writer’s share of these royalties. This is different from the Lennon-McCartney songs, where the writing credits are split evenly between two estates. For ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ Harrison wrote the song alone, so his estate collects the entire songwriter portion without sharing it with other Beatles’ estates.

The publisher, Sony, takes its cut from the publishing share before distributing the remainder. This standard industry practice means the estate and the publisher both profit from every play. The mechanical and performance royalties together form the backbone of the song’s ongoing financial success.

Sync Licensing in Film and Television

Sync licenses allow ‘Here Comes The Sun’ to be used in movies, TV shows, and commercials, providing a lucrative revenue stream. Sync licensing, short for synchronization licensing, grants permission to pair the song with visual media. This type of license is negotiated separately from mechanical and performance royalties, often commanding significant fees.

The song has appeared in major films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and numerous television series and advertisements. These placements introduce the song to new generations of listeners while generating substantial income for the rightsholders. Each sync deal requires approval from both the publisher and the estate, giving them control over how the song is used.

Brands and filmmakers seek out ‘Here Comes The Sun’ for its uplifting and universally recognizable melody. The approval process ensures the song is not used in contexts that conflict with its legacy or the values of Harrison’s estate. Sync licensing represents one of the most profitable avenues for classic songs in the modern entertainment landscape.

Common Misconceptions: Is It Public Domain?

A frequent myth is that ‘Here Comes The Sun’ has entered the public domain, but this is far from the truth. The song remains under active copyright protection well into the 21st century. Many people assume that older songs automatically lose their protection, yet this is incorrect for this 1969 classic.

The copyright on the composition remains firmly in place. Under current copyright law, works published after 1927 can remain protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. Since Paul McCartney wrote the song and is still living, the composition copyright will not expire until decades after his lifetime. This means the song is legally protected for the foreseeable future.

Another common confusion involves the difference between the composition and the sound recording. The composition refers to the music and lyrics, while the sound recording is the specific recorded performance. Both elements carry separate copyrights, and both remain under active protection. The original recording by The Beatles is owned by their record label, while the publishing rights are managed separately.

Some fans believe that because the song is frequently covered and widely played, it must be public domain. This is a misunderstanding. Public performance and public domain are entirely different concepts. The song generates significant revenue through licensing, streaming, and cover versions. It is actively protected and monetized, with copyright holders collecting royalties on every use.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Ownership and Artistry

Despite the complex corporate history, the legacy of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ remains rooted in George Harrison’s artistry, which continues to shine through every rendition. The song’s journey from a sunny day in Eric Clapton’s garden to a global anthem mirrors the path of the 89m superyacht Here Comes The Sun that shares its name. Both creations have passed through corporate hands, yet their true value lies in the emotional response they evoke rather than their balance sheets. The yacht is owned by Robyn Jessie Hart, wife of Graeme Hart. The yacht is also associated with Damen Yachting, the parent company of Amels. The yacht, built by Amels at their Vlissingen shipyard, is a testament to Dutch craftsmanship.

The tension between commercial ownership and artistic creation is a recurring theme in both music and yachting. Just as publishing companies hold the rights to Harrison’s masterpiece, a New Zealand billionaire like Graeme Hart holds the deed to the Amels-built vessel, which was delivered in 2016 and underwent a refit in 2023. The yacht, launched in 2016 and refit in 2023 at the Amels shipyard, represents a significant financial investment, reportedly sold for $195,000,000. Yet its worth extends far beyond its gross tonnage or the Caterpillar engines that power it to cruising speeds, and it is registered in the Cayman Islands.

What matters most is the experience. The master suite, the helipad, the swim platform, and the wellness center create moments that no ownership document can capture. The yacht also boasts a movie theater and a variety of water toys for guests’ enjoyment. Similarly, when listeners hear the opening guitar riff of ‘Here Comes The Sun’, they feel hope and renewal. The song’s emotional impact transcends its financial worth, just as the yacht’s beauty transcends its price tag, and it has been recognized at the World Superyacht Awards. The yacht has been listed for sale with brokers like Burgess and Fraser. Tim Heywood’s exterior design and Winch Design’s interiors, with input from Azure Yacht Design, speak to a level of artistry that defies mere valuation.

Looking forward, both legacies appear secure. The song, “Here Comes The Sun,” will continue to be enjoyed for generations, covered by new artists and discovered by new audiences. The yacht, built by Amels (now part of Damen Yachting) at their Vlissingen shipyard, certified by Lloyds Register and registered in the Cayman Islands, will likely change hands again, perhaps through brokers like Fraser or Burgess. Its current owner, Alexander Dzhaparidze, acquired it from Steve Wynn, who had commissioned the design from Tim Heywood and Winch Design, with naval architecture by Azure Yacht Design. Ownership will shift, but the artistry remains constant. The steel hull and aluminium superstructure, powered by Caterpillar engines, may age, but the vision of Harrison, Heywood, and Winch will endure as long as there are people who appreciate beauty, whether in a melody or a 292-foot vessel gliding through open water. The yacht has been a finalist at the World Superyacht Awards and featured in SuperYacht Times. Its previous owners include Graeme Hart, and his daughter Robyn Jessie Hart, as well as Colin Boyle and Michael Coens, who are associated with the vessel’s history.