Oh! Darling

This song was not directed in any way at John. Just a very typical Paul song, probably not directed at anybody for that matter. Here's something interesting though that I read about it in one of John's last interviews, John stated that Paul did a terrible job with the song, and that Paul knew that John was more suited for that type of song, but he sang it himself anyways and did a bad job. I know sort of where John is coming from on that statement, he typically does sing songs with that type of rawness shall we say, but I can't imagine anyone doing a better job as Paul did on it really. One of the best, if not the best McCartney vocal performance on any song in my opinion.

OH MY GOD, the best part about this song is when they go all rock and yell "WHEN YOU TOLD ME...."

OMG!! John could NOT do what Paul did for this song! Paul's deeper voice gave it more depth because of the range, and he really tore it up for this. John's voice works well for Twist and Shout and Please Please Me, but this one has more despair and has a greater impact because of PAUL'S voice. OMG. I love Paul, and this song is soooooooo...omg. So good.

the whole song i think is a blunt angry passionate plea for forgiveness. a lover has betrayed his partner and he is trying hopelessly to regain her trust but she is convinced she doesn't need him anymore so this was probably a abusive relationship where he convinced her she needed him and was nothing without him and she finally left him

This song is replete melancholy; it transitions through the stages of intense morose as Paul pleads for the woman he so dearly loves to remain with him. In the first verse, his inflection and tone remain somber, and imploring; he simply asks for her to stay (albeit he begs, lightly.) The chorus provides the supplementing mood; it accentuates a "bluesy" feeling. But once Paul is fraught with her leaving him, the levity of the song suddenly becomes erratic and heavy, with a sharp piano roll to provide emotional flavor. The second verse runs congruent to the first, save Paul appends with his own effusions by ululating, so to speak, in a howling fashion how much he indeed doesn't want to be confronted with reality. (The second heavy session of the song now becomes much more saliently desperate; urgent. And notice (same applies with opening "heavy" verse) the piano roll's attenuation to a "sad" three roll right as he said, "and di-ii-ii -ed (died stretched.) And finally, the final verse follows the theme of the first three, except for now reality has asserted itself as "likely" she will be leaving. (Paul makes it perspicuously clear, in all verses, how he seeks solace by leaving this world, because he won't be able to be alone; this illustrates and encompasses the common feeling depression imposes when you are deplete hope.) Continuing with the conclusion of this masterpiece: Paul, who once kept a calm demeanor as he reassured the woman behind unrequited love he wouldn't do her "any harm," now lashes it out; he understands (and this is common with most of us) despair has ingressed an uber-urgent mode of "JUST SAY SOMETHING!!!" Fittingly, emphatically screaming he won't do her any harm, along with his ululating pleas, appropriately touches the pinnacle of complete heartbreak. (The hollow guitar sounds and companion side effects enraptured the climatic end to this song.

I don't know who or what it is written about... i just love it!! It is my favourite song EVER to sing (scream?) along with, because it suits my voice perfectly! lol! loveloveLOVE it!! Paul is a champ. John is too. In fact i love them all!!!!!!!!!!

best song ever. period.

It is interesting that no one has commented on the meaning of this song yet. This is strange, as the song means totally opposite of what the lyrics apparently say!!

First thing: do NOT believe him when he says, "Oh! darling, please believe me". He's lying! And trying to cover it up!

He wants to leave her so bad (but probably does not have the guts to do it himself), that when she actually tells him she's leaving him- he's delirious.

Constant repetition of "believe me" indicates that he's lying!

The tone of the voice clearly indicates that he'd like nothing more than to harm her.

The whooping towards the end of the song on, "When you told me you didn't need me anymore" clearly indicates his sheer pleasure at her leaving him!

I suggest listening to the song with this interpretation in mind. It is one of the funniest Beatles song, on a classic album.

Number 1, this song is amazing, lol. Paul's vocals are flawless. 5 star track all the way!

Now, onto my interpretation. It sounds like he had a fight with his girlfriend/wife, i.e he did something wrong and he's trying to apologize for it. "I'll never do you no harm"

She's obviously ignored this and said very rude things, which hurt him. "When you told me, you didn't need me, well you know I nearly broke down and cried."

She also threatened to leave him, which terrifies him greatly and he is now begging her to stay. "If you leave me, I'll never make it alone." In short, he adores her, knows he messed up, and will do anything to make her stay.

But yeah, I love this song and in no way think its about John leaving the band(maybe that's just meXD)

I think this song is just so awesome to "rock out" to. :-D