With the Beatles still together officially in December 1969, Harrison had no plans to make a solo album of his own and reportedly intended to offer "My Sweet Lord" to Edwin Hawkins. Instead, following the Delaney & Bonnie tour, he decided to record it with Billy Preston, for whom Harrison was co-producing a second Apple album, "Encouraging Words". Recording took place at Olympic Studios in London, in January 1970, The Edwin Hawkins Singers happened to be on tour in the UK as well, so Harrison invited them to participate.