John Lennon was the song's composer and singer but the song was credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was originally called "All I Want Is You". Lennon would later comment that he thought the song was "a piece of garbage,"[1] though he has shown similar scorn for many of his songs. It was written for his soon-to-be wife Yoko Ono, and featured a multitude of strange, seemingly nonsense phrases which were strung together, culminating in the chorus "All I want is you", aimed at Yoko.
American copies of Let It Be mistitled this song as "I Dig A Pony."
The song was one of the songs on Let It Be that was recorded at the rooftop concert. It begins with a false start, with Ringo Starr yelling "hold it!" to halt the other band members because he was holding a cigarette and had only one drum stick in his hand. On the Anthology 3 version of this song, the first verse and the end of the song start off with Paul McCartney singing "All I want is...." This phrase appeared in every performance of the song but was cut from the final version by Phil Spector, and subsequently cut from the Let It Be... Naked version.
In rehearsals and takes, the last variation on "dig a pony" was "dog a boney," perhaps a reference to "This Old Man". This is the lyric that appears on Glyn Johns' assembly of Get Back. On the Anthology version, Lennon sang the spoonerism "bog a doney." During the rooftop concert, Lennon substituted what sounds like "roll a lorry," and this is the version that appears on both the Let It Be album and Let It Be... Naked.
Dig a Pony
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, you can celebrate anything you want
Yes, you can celebrate anything you want
Oh
I do a road hog
Well, you can penetrate any place you go
Yes, you can penetrate any place you go
I told you so
All I want is you
Everything has got to be just like you want it to
Because
I pick a moon dog
Well, you can radiate everything you are
Yes, you can radiate everything you are
Oh, now
I roll a stoney
Well, you can imitate everyone you know
Yes, you can imitate everyone you know
I told you so
All I want is you
Everything has got to be just like you want it to
Because
Oh, now
I feel the wind blow
Well, you can indicate everything you see
Yes, you can indicate anything you see
Oh, now
I load a lorry
Well, you can syndicate any boat you row
Yeah, you can syndicate any boat you row
I told you so
All I want is you
Everything has got to be just like you want it to
Because
The Beatles' song "Dig a Pony" is known for its cryptic lyrics that seemingly make little sense. However, upon closer analysis, many interpretations and meanings can be drawn from the words. The song seems to be a celebration of freedom and self-expression, with the repeated line "Well, you can celebrate anything you want" serving as a kind of mantra for this theme.
The verses each contain strange and almost nonsensical phrases like "I do a road hog" and "I pick a moon dog," but many have suggested that these are simply metaphors for different forms of self-expression. For example, "I pick a moon dog" could refer to choosing a unique and individual path in life, while "I roll a stoney" could be interpreted as using drugs to enhance creativity and freedom.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to action for listeners to embrace their own unique personalities and reject the pressures of conformity. The repeated line "All I want is you, everything has got to be just like you want it to, because" suggests that individual desires and wants should be prioritized over societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I dig a pony
I am enthusiastic about and devoted to something, like riding a pony
Well, you can celebrate anything you want
Yes, you can celebrate anything you want
Oh
You have the freedom to celebrate whatever you wish to celebrate
I do a road hog
I am driving a motorcycle aggressively
Well, you can penetrate any place you go
Yes, you can penetrate any place you go
I told you so
You have the capability to enter and explore any new environment
All I want is you
Everything has got to be just like you want it to
Because
I desire only you, and everything must align with your wishes
I pick a moon dog
I choose to follow and be guided by the moon, a metaphor for intuition or instincts
Well, you can radiate everything you are
Yes, you can radiate everything you are
Oh, now
You have the ability to project your inner self onto others and the environment around you
I roll a stoney
I am smoking marijuana or doing something else that is relaxing and chill
Well, you can imitate everyone you know
Yes, you can imitate everyone you know
I told you so
You can mimic the behavior and mannerisms of people around you
Oh, now
I feel the wind blow
The wind is blowing and can be felt
Well, you can indicate everything you see
Yes, you can indicate anything you see
Oh, now
You have the ability to point out or highlight objects and experiences around you
I load a lorry
I am moving heavy objects by loading them onto a lorry, a metaphor for taking on responsibilities or burdens
Well, you can syndicate any boat you row
Yeah, you can syndicate any boat you row
I told you so
You have the ability to share your journey with others, and they can participate in it as well
All I want is you
Everything has got to be just like you want it to
Because
I desire only you, and everything must align with your wishes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Mother Nature's Son
A really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on The Night Before
A really splendid Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on P.S. I Love You
Now this is a really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on There's a Place
A seriously underrated Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Do You Want to Know a Secret
A fantastic song by The Beatles.
Philip Kassabian
on When I'm Sixty-Four
A very tuneful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
An excellent Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on I'm Looking Through You
A beautiful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Honestly The Beatles can't stop producing good songs.
Philip Kassabian
on Michelle
A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.