"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is a song written by Lennon/McCartney and released by … Read Full Bio ↴"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is a song written by Lennon/McCartney and released by The Beatles on their 1968 album The Beatles (also referred to as The White Album). It was released as a single that same year in many countries, but not in the United Kingdom or the United States. The song was written, primarily by Paul McCartney, around the time that highlife and reggae were beginning to become popular in Britain. The tag line "ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra" was an expression that Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott-Emuakpor, an acquaintance of McCartney, used. The song is in the key of B flat and written in 4/4. During May 1968, the Beatles gathered at George Harrison's Esher home, in Surrey, to record demos for their upcoming project. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was one of the twenty-seven demos recorded there. Paul performed this demo solo, with only an acoustic guitar. He had also double-tracked his vocal, which was not perfectly synchronised, creating an echoing effect. According to studio engineer Geoff Emerick, John Lennon openly hated the song, calling it "Paul's granny shit".[1] After leaving the studio during recording of the song (after several days and literally dozens of takes of the song, trying different tempos and styles), Lennon returned while under the influence of marijuana, went immediately to the piano and played the opening chords much louder and faster than they had been played before. He claimed that was how the song should be played, and this is the version they ended up using.[2]

Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
The Beatles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly, "Girl, I like your face"
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah

La-la, how their life goes on

Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweler's store
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on (yeah)

In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones

Happy ever after in the marketplace
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she still sings it with the band, yes

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on (hey)
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on

In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones

Hey, happy ever after in the marketplace
Molly lets the children lend a hand
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she's a singer with the band, yeah

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on (hey)
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on

And if you want some fun
Take ob-la-di, bla-da
Ah, thank you

Overall Meaning

The Beatles' classic "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" tells the story of Desmond and Molly, two people who meet, fall in love, get married, have children, and lead happy, fulfilling lives. The song is about the ups and downs of love and life and the importance of keeping a positive attitude throughout it all.

In the first verse, Desmond and Molly are introduced, with Desmond owning a barrow in the marketplace and Molly being a singer in a band. They like each other and begin a romance, with Molly taking Desmond's hand as they walk away together. The chorus, "Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah" emphasizes the idea that life goes on no matter what happens.

In the second verse, Desmond buys a golden ring for Molly, and she sings as he gives it to her. The third verse skips ahead a few years and describes their life together with their children in their own home. The final verse repeats the chorus, and adds the line, "And if you want some fun, take ob-la-di, bla-da," suggesting that even in hard times, it's possible to find joy by taking life as it comes and making the most of it.

Overall, "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" is a feel-good song about love, life, and the power of optimism.

Line by Line Meaning

Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace
Desmond has a small cart in the public area used for selling goods

Molly is the singer in a band
Molly performs singing as a member of a musical group

Desmond says to Molly, "Girl, I like your face"
Desmond compliments Molly about her physical appearance

And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Molly reciprocates Desmond's affection and holds hands with him

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah
Life moves forward, flowing steadily and effortlessly

La-la, how their life goes on
Expressing joy and contentment in a playful manner

Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweler's store
Desmond rides an electric-powered passenger vehicle to buy jewelry

Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Desmond purchases a valuable ring made out of 20 karat gold

Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
Desmond gifts the ring to Molly who was eagerly waiting for him to arrive

And as he gives it to her she begins to sing
Molly expresses her excitement by singing upon receiving the ring

In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
Desmond and Molly construct a pleasant place to live in within two years

With a couple of kids running in the yard
Desmond and Molly have two children who enjoy playing in the yard

Happy ever after in the marketplace
Desmond and Molly lead a pleasant life in the open public space

Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Desmond allows his children to help him with work

Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
Molly takes care of her beauty by staying at home and grooming herself

And in the evening she still sings it with the band, yes
Molly continues to perform with her band at night

And if you want some fun
If you are looking for entertainment

Take ob-la-di, bla-da
Listen to Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da song to have a good time

Ah, thank you
A thankful expression for suggesting the song

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Lisa Ayers I believe it is "the black MINING hills

on Rocky Raccoon

Now somewhere in the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guyHit young Rocky in the eye
Rocky didn't like that
He said, "I'm gonna get that boy"
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon

Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon's Bible
Rocky had come, equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems, had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy
Her name was Magill, and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy
Now she and her man, who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in, and grinning a grin
He said, "Danny boy, this is a showdown"
But Daniel was hot, he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner

Now the doctor came in, stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said, "Rocky, you met your match"
And Rocky said, "Doc, it's only a scratch
And I'll be better, I'll be better, Doc, as soon as I am able"

Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's Bible
Gideon checked out, and he left it, no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival