Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 4, 5 October 1968
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Barry Sheffield
Released: 22 November 1968 (UK), 25 November 1968 (US)
Paul McCartney: vocals, piano, bass, lead guitar, drums, handclaps
George Harrison: electric guitar
Bernard Miller, Dennis McConnell, Lou Sofier, Les Maddox: violins
Leo Birnbaum, Henry Myerscough: violas
Reginald Kilbey, Frederick Alexander: cellos
Leon Calvert, Stanley Reynolds, Ronnie Hughes: trumpets
Leon Calvert: flugelhorn
Tony Tunstall: French horn
Ted Barker: trombone
Alf Reece: tuba
Available on:
The Beatles (White Album)
The jaunty Martha My Dear was written by Paul McCartney as a piano exercise, and was released on the White Album.
When I taught myself piano I liked to see how far I could go, and this started life almost as a piece you'd learn as a piano lesson. It's quite hard for me to play, it's a two-handed thing, like a little set piece. In fact I remember one or two people being surprised that I'd played it because it's slightly above my level or competence really, but I wrote it as that, something a bit more complex for me to play. Then while I was blocking out words – you just mouth out sounds and some things come – I found the words 'Martha my dear'.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
McCartney had bought an Old English sheepdog puppy in 1965, soon after buying his house in Cavendish Avenue, London. He named the dog Martha, and she was his first pet.
She was a dear pet of mine. I remember John being amazed to see me being so loving to an animal. He said, 'I've never seen you like that before.' I've since thought, you know, he wouldn't have. It's only when you're cuddling around with a dog that you're in that mode, and she was a very cuddly dog.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Many listeners have interpreted the song as a message of love to Jane Asher, who McCartney intended to marry in 1968. However, in 1997 he revealed that it was his dog that had been the inspiration behind Martha My Dear.
It's a communication of some sort of affection but in a slightly abstract way – 'You silly girl, look what you've done,' all that sort of stuff. These songs grow. Whereas it would appear to anybody else to be a song to a girl called Martha, it's actually a dog, and our relationship was platonic, believe me.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
In the studio
Martha My Dear was recorded over two days at Trident Studios in Soho, London, which had eight-track facilities.
Work began on 4 October 1968. McCartney recorded vocals, piano and drums first, and between 9pm and midnight 14 session musicians added brass and string parts. George Martin had written the score to a demo previously taped by McCartney.
The session musicians were violinists Bernard Miller, Dennis McConnell, Lou Sofier and Les Maddox; viola players Leo Birnbaum and Henry Myerscough; cellists Reginald Kilbey and Frederick Alexander, trumpeters Leon Calvert, Stanley Reynolds and Ronnie Hughes; French horn player Tony Tunstall; trombonist Ted Barker; and tuba player Alf Reece. Leon Calvert also added a flugelhorn part after the main overdub had been completed.
George Harrison was also present at the recording, playing electric guitar, although it is unclear whether he appears on the final recording.
From midnight to 4.30am McCartney re-recorded his lead vocals, adding handclaps to the instrumental section at the same time.
The next day he completed the song with the addition of bass and lead guitar parts.
I’m an ear-trained pianist. I knew I’d be all right when I mastered “Martha, My Dear.” Anytime I play a new piano, it’s the first thing I try.
Very Impressive that you figured it out by ear. I’m a beginner pianist, and this is THE song I’ve always dreamed of being able to play. Even with the aid of a Youtube tutorials it’s been a steep hill. I’m about halfway through and I think once it’s in the bag it will always be a point of pride.
Great song. I am a Bassist with my own band and have a dog, but HIS name is Diesel, wouldnt really work for a good song would it?
Diesel, my dear
My first significant pet was an Old English Sheepdog named Shasta. I was too young to remember her joining our family and about 10 when she left. I still think about her. She was a great dog.
Now I have a Lhasa Apso named Juneau. Sometimes she reminds me of a tiny Shasta. One day I may write a song about her.
Great underrated Beatles classic!
Nicole, you should wrote a song about Shasta AND Juneau 🙂
“Juneau I love you still…”
Some sources will say that the other three Beatles participated in this session. John on bass, Paul on Piano and vocals, George on lead guitar, and Ringo on drums.
The bass is very Paul-esque on this. Very clean, precise, and accurate compared to John’s rather “dirty” bass playing.
Ringo on drums is a possibility, but the drums also sound a bit like Paul’s other drumming work.
I don’t agree all four beatles were very skilled at any insturment if you don’t belive me listen to any of there songs and you will see the result of all of them sounding good together , this was until yoko ono broke them up.
At least George is on guitar : http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=426364487401361&set=a.277006039003874.59873.276678969036581&type=1&theater
I’m very glad you agree with me. My opinion is based on the same source as yours!
Perhaps the reason this song is so endearing is that on the drugged ‘White Album” you get a blend of Paul-esque wit (“Spend my days in conversation”) and his love writing. Consider it; you get it right in between “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” and “I’m So Tired”.
My mother’s name is Martha. Is it wrong to sing this song to her? 🙂
Is she silly?
Hello hello! I have a beloved aunt named Martha who lives in Ireland, and when I was a child I would spend a week at her house every Summer. My first extended exposure to the Beatles was in her kitchen; when we’d prepare dinner she always had music on -either the “blue and red” albums or the ‘Yellow Submarine’ soundtrack- and those songs became permanently imprinted on my brain (to this day I think of that kitchen when I hear some of the songs.) Martha would always point out how well constructed the music was, and how full of surprises the songs were, even 25 years after their release (this was in the late 1980’s.) Years later when I heard this song on ‘The Beatles’ I smiled and thought of my fab aunt. Thanks Auntie Martha for opening my ears!
By the way Joe, you neglected to include this song in your main article on ‘The Beatles’, where you list songs recorded by McCartney without the other three. Because George and John always struck me as more the “loner” types, it’s strange to think that Paul, with his bubbly demeanor, was the one who most frequently excluded the others from recording sessions. One wonders if he did this purposely, or if his fastidiousness scared them off.
And also Joe, congratulations on your terrific site. I love its scope, and how logically the different pages/sections link to each other (unlike many Beatles sites.) I also appreciate the comments of your readers; it’s great to hear from some people who are just discovering the joy of the Beatles through the remasters, and from others who were around during the original releases, and who can attest to the excitement they caused. Long live the Beatles and long live this site! Keep up the fab work.
Hi. Thanks for the kind words on the site. I’m glad you like it! If your aunt Martha is online please let her know about it too – I hope fans old and young find something of interest here.
I’ve added Martha My Dear to the list of songs McCartney worked on without the other Beatles. Thanks for the suggestion. As for why he didn’t involve the others more, I suspect it might have been his enthusiasm for recording leading him to just get on with it. He lived very close to Abbey Road in the 1960s too – it might have been the case that he got on with recording while the others weren’t around.
As another Beatles nut I have to agree with the earlier comments. As my stereo equipment has improved so have the Beatles songs. I am 66 years old and I only just realised a couple of years ago that John sings ‘Bob Robert’ in Dr Robert. That lady Martha was so right. Listening to their music surprises me more each time!
There is photographic evidence (Linda McCartney, Sixties. Portrait of an era, p. 150) that George Harrison was present and playing in the studio (with his Gibson Les Paul) while Paul is recording ‘Martha my dear’. Also visible are the six brass players. This picture doesn’t prove that George really played on that song, but in any case it’s possible. (NB: in the book the song is wrongly called ‘Honey Pie’, on which saxes and clarinets were used.)
Ive read both versions but it does sound like George on guitar.
If I ever get another dog in the future, I am definetely naming her Martha! I actually had a close friend with a dog who had puppies, and each one was named after a Beatles song: Jude, Prudence, Eleanor, and Maxwell… maybe my future dog Martha will have puppies named after the Fab Four, too!
Love the piano. I wish there existed a version with the piano up in the mix throughout. Still think what’s on record is great though.
One of my favorite beatles songs, surprised it’s about his dog.
once you know, it’s rather obvious actually.
my favorite line from the song is; “don’t forget me”
More of Paul’s old people music. Maybe that’s why I love it. I’m old.
My favorite part of the song, oddly enough, is what I believe is a Trombone right after “hold you hand out you silly girl, see what you’ve done.. The blending of Paul’s voice “passing through” the instrumentation is the bomb. For an instant, they become one.
The session you’re referring to looks to be in September… while this was recorded in October of 1968.
Your source even describes the photo as being of the “Honey Pie” session….
This is the song I automatically think of when I think piano song. I mean, it makes sense because it was written for piano, but it doesn’t make sense because the piano’s only the intro on the record.
My favourite line, very quotable: “Silly girl” 🙂
I gave a street pianist a dollar and he ask me what I wanted to hear. It was the first song that came to my mind. He said “I can’t play that”, so i took the dollar back.
When I was younger I belived that this song was written for me 😀
if you listen how the guitar fits in, gently adding color to
the piano rhythm, it sounds more like a George-thing.
Paul’s playing seemed flashier, more in-your-face, while
Georgie is a chameleon, fitting into whatever setting he’s
thrown into.
Brilliant song. Such a sprightly effervescent melody, and full of a kind of wit that seems a throwback to Noel Coward or Vaudeville (“When you find yourself in the thick of it/help yourself to a bit of what is all around you/silly girl!”). I seem to remember reading that at least some of the intricate piano parts were taken from a classical piece. Can anyone shed light on that?
I always heard the lines “..you have always been my inspiration…” “…don’t forget me..” as msgs to Jane Asher.
Ive seen an article,will try n find it to state the facts,that there was a session drummer on this song.
“Most of the Goon Show orchestra members had received quite a few cheques from the BBC for repeat transmissions over the years. Freddy, Stan, and I had done a lot of those sessions”
http://www.nationaljazzarchive.co.uk/stories?id=369
http://henrybebop.co.uk/calvert.htm
Leon Calvert, Stanley Reynolds, Ronnie Hughes: trumpets
Leon Calvert: flugelhorn
Tony Tunstall: French horn
Ted Barker: trombone
Alf Reece: tuba
Just saw Sir Paul in concert last night. Grew up loving the Beatles then PM and the Wings and so on. Always loved the song Martha My Dear. I have an Old Enhlish sheepdog and found out a year later the song was for his dog. These truly are the most loving fabulous dogs. It’s easy to see why he wrote a song for her. However he didn’t groom her very well lol.
This underrated song, probably because of its rather peculiar lyrics, is to me nevertheless one of the very best melodically and harmonically in its unusual structure and long, soaring lines in the two part bridge. An absolute favourite.
Where do you get the idea that its underrated ?
Maybe “lesser known?” Also, if you’re strongly in “Lennon” camp only, it’s easy to dismiss this song as being another of McCartney’s “Granny Music” entries. But as many have pointed out, it’s pretty complex, especially for “pop music.” There’s something otherworldly about Paul’s melodies and chord changes that borders on opiate-like. Like in other songs like “Blackbird,” “Mother Nature’s Son” and “Here, There and Everywhere” it’s in full effect here …
There is definitely at least a single electric guitar included in the final mix, strumming, along with the orchestration at mid-point and to the outra.
VERY tight drum performance, effortless, relaxed. Some nice dynamic touches in the breaks. Sounds like Ringo on drums to me.
I find it odd that people thought it is about Jane. I recall “knowing” it was about the dog in the mid-70’s, which was when I started listening to the Beatles. I’m not sure how I knew, but it seemed common knowledge and I had never heard or read anything that indicated it was otherwise. It was only when I read the Jane Asher page on this site that I became aware of the supposition, and that was only through a reader’s comment.
Hadn’t Jane already caught Paul with Francie by this time (October 68) ?