Paul McCartney wrote "Teddy Boy" during the Beatles' 1968 visit to India. In 1970, McCartney described the song as, "Another song I started in India and completed in Scotland, and London gradually. This one was recorded for the Get Back film, but later not used."
January 1969
McCartney first played the song to the other Beatles on 9 January 1969. The Beatles did not return to the song until 24 January, recording several takes. This recording includes some instances of guitar feedback. During one rendition of the song, John Lennon is heard calling "do-si-do" and other square-dance steps, something both musicologist Walter Everett and Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn ascribe to Lennon's boredom with the song. Musicologist and writer Ian MacDonald writes that any attempts at recording the song "were sabotaged by Lennon's continuous burble of parody". MacDonald describes "Teddy Boy" as an "annoyingly whimsical ditty – notable solely for its key change from D major to F sharp major".
The Beatles recorded "Teddy Boy" again on 28 and 29 January.
December 1969 – February 1970
McCartney recorded the McCartney version of "Teddy Boy" at his home in Cavendish Avenue, St John's Wood. He began the album around Christmas 1969, recording on a recently delivered Studer four-track tape recorder, without a mixing desk, and therefore with no VU displays as a guide for recording levels. McCartney described his home-recording set-up as "Studer, one mike, and nerve". He had finished recording the basic track of "Teddy Boy" by 12 February 1970, when he brought his tapes to Morgan Studios. These tapes were transferred from four- to eight-track tape, adding an audible hiss to the recording. At Morgan Studios, McCartney completed the track by overdubbing drums, a bass drum and clapping.
Teddy Boy
Paul McCartney Lyrics
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If his mother said, Ted, be good, he would
She told him tales about his soldier dad
But it made her sad, then she'd cry, oh my
Ted used to tell her he'd be twice as good
And he knew he could, because in his head
Taking good care of you
Mommy don't worry, your teddy boy's here
Teddy's going to see you through
Then came the day she found herself a man
Teddy turned and ran, far away, okay
He couldn't stand to see his mother in love
With another man, he didn't know, oh no
He found a place where he could settle down
And from time to time, in his head
He said, mommy don't worry, now Teddy boy's here
Taking good care of you
Mommy don't worry, your teddy boy's here
Teddy's going to see you through
She said, Teddy don't worry, now mommy is here
Taking good care of you
Teddy don't worry, your mommy is here
Mommy's going to see you through
This is the story of a boy named Ted
If his mother said, Ted, be good, he would
The song Teddy Boy by Paul McCartney is a touching story about a young boy named Ted who was deeply devoted to his mother. In the first verse, we hear that Ted's mother would tell him stories about his soldier father, but these stories would make her sad and cry. Ted promised he would be twice as good to make up for his father's absence. He believed he could be a comfort to his mother and took responsibility for being there for her. The refrain repeats that he promises to take care of his mother, reassuring her that he is the trustworthy Teddy boy.
In the second verse, we learn that Ted's mother found a new love interest, which Ted could not bear to see. He ran away to a place where he could have peace of mind and occasionally whispered in his head, repeating the promise to his mother that he would always take care of her. In the end, they were reunited, with his mother reassuring him that she would always take care of him too.
The song speaks to the idea of unconditional love, especially the sacrifice a child may make for a parent's happiness. It is a touching tribute to the parent-child bond and the lengths one might go to prove their devotion. Paul McCartney's soft and soothing voice adds to the poignancy of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the story of a boy named Ted
The song tells the story of a boy named Ted.
If his mother said, Ted, be good, he would
Ted was obedient to his mother's instructions and would always behave well if told to do so.
She told him tales about his soldier dad
Ted's mother used to share stories about his father who was a soldier.
But it made her sad, then she'd cry, oh my
However, retelling those stories made Ted's mother emotional and she would end up crying.
Ted used to tell her he'd be twice as good
Ted promised his mother that he would try to be twice as good as his father was.
And he knew he could, because in his head
Ted was confident that he could fulfill his promise because he had made up his mind to do so.
He said, mommy don't worry, now Teddy boy's here
Taking good care of you
Mommy don't worry, your teddy boy's here
Teddy's going to see you through
Ted assured his mother that he would always take good care of her and protect her whenever she was worried about something. He called himself her 'teddy boy.'
Then came the day she found herself a man
Teddy turned and ran, far away, okay
When Ted's mother found a new man in her life, Ted couldn't bear to see her with someone else and ran away from home.
He couldn't stand to see his mother in love
With another man, he didn't know, oh no
Ted was uncomfortable with the idea of his mother being in love with another man whom he didn't know very well.
He found a place where he could settle down
And from time to time, in his head
Eventually, Ted found a place to live where he could feel comfortable and at peace with himself. And sometimes, he would think back to his promise to his mother.
She said, Teddy don't worry, now mommy is here
Taking good care of you
Teddy don't worry, your mommy is here
Mommy's going to see you through
Later on, Ted's mother found him and assured him that she would be taking care of him from now on and promised to never leave him alone again. She called him 'Teddy', just as he called himself 'Teddy boy.'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul McCartney
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