Background & Recording
During the writing process, the song's working title was "Oh! Darling (I'll Never Do You No Harm)". McCartney later said of recording the track, "When we were recording 'Oh! Darling' I came into the studios early every day for a week to sing it by myself because at first my voice was too clear. I wanted it to sound as though I'd been performing it on stage all week." He would only try the song once each day, if it was not right he would wait until the next day. In order to make sure he got every precious first take right, McCartney would practice the song in the bathtub. He once lamented that "five years ago I could have done this in one take".
McCartney first recorded a demo of "Oh! Darling" at Twickenham Studios on 16 January 1969 during the Get Back sessions without the other Beatles being present, as the Twickenham set they had been using was being dismantled due to their moving the sessions to Apple Corps' headquarters. After an early attempt at the song by the band on 27 January 1969, Lennon announced, "Just heard that Yoko's divorce has just gone through", after which he and the band burst into an improvised version of the song, substituting "I'm free at last" for a part of the lyric.
The basic track was recorded on 20 April 1969. There were many overdub sessions, including McCartney's attempts at the lead vocal. Engineer Geoff Emerick recalled that McCartney sang while the backing track played over speakers, instead of headphones, because he wanted to feel as though he was singing to a live audience.
Oh! Darling
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never do you no harm
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm
Oh darling, if you leave me
I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I beg you
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly broke down and died
Oh darling, if you leave me
I'll never make it alone
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm
Believe me, darlin'
When you told me, woo, you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly fell down and died
Oh darling, please believe me
I'll never let you down
Oh, believe me, darlin'
Believe me when I tell you
I'll never do you no harm
"Oh! Darling" is a heartfelt ballad written by Paul McCartney for The Beatles' album, Abbey Road. The song is about a man desperately pleading with his lover not to leave him, promising that he will never do her any harm. He expresses his dependence on her love, saying that he will not make it through life without her. When she told him that she didn't need him anymore, he was so devastated that he nearly broke down and cried, he almost fell down and died. He assures her that he will never let her down and begs her not to leave him alone, believing she will be the source of all his happiness.
The lyrics of "Oh! Darling" express an intense emotional yearning that McCartney vocalizes beautifully, conveying vulnerability and despair. The song is a powerful testament to the beauty of vulnerability in relationships, showcasing the depth of emotions that human beings feel when they are in love. McCartney's performance is particularly noteworthy, as he uses his vocals to express a wide range of emotions that resonate deeply with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh darling, please believe me
The singer of this song is begging the listener to trust them and believe what they say.
I'll never do you no harm
The singer is promising the listener that they will never intentionally hurt or harm them.
Believe me when I tell you
The singer is emphasizing the importance of their words and urging the listener to trust what they are saying.
Oh darling, if you leave me
The artist acknowledges that they need the listener, and cannot survive alone without them.
I'll never make it alone
The artist is admitting that they are dependent on the listener and cannot function without them.
Believe me when I beg you
The singer is pleading with the listener and is urging them to take their words seriously.
Don't ever leave me alone
The singer is making a desperate plea for the listener to never abandon them or leave them alone.
When you told me you didn't need me anymore
The artist is referencing a past conversation in which the listener expressed that they no longer needed the artist.
Well, you know I nearly broke down and cried
The artist is revealing that the listener's words were deeply hurtful and caused them to almost cry.
Well, you know I nearly broke down and died
The artist is exaggerating their emotional pain and suggesting that the listener's words were enough to make them feel like dying.
I'll never let you down
The singer is promising to always be there for the listener and never disappoint them.
Oh, believe me, darlin'
The artist is pleading with the listener once again to trust and believe them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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