''A male [monkey] just hopped on the back of this female and gave her one, as they say in the vernacular. Within two or three seconds he hopped off again and looked around as if to say, ‘It wasn't me,’ and she looked around as if there'd been some mild disturbance ... And I thought ... that's how simple the act of procreation is ... We have horrendous problems with it, and yet animals don't.''
Lennon was unhappy that McCartney recorded the song without him. In his 1980 interview with Playboy, he said:
Playboy: "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?"
Lennon: That's Paul. He even recorded it by himself in another room. That's how it was getting in those days. We came in and he'd made the whole record. Him drumming. Him playing the piano. Him singing. But he couldn't—he couldn't—maybe he couldn't make the break from the Beatles. I don't know what it was, you know. I enjoyed the track. Still, I can't speak for George, but I was always hurt when Paul would knock something off without involving us. But that's just the way it was then.
Playboy: You never just knocked off a track by yourself?
Lennon: No.
Playboy: "Julia"?
Lennon: That was mine
Why Don't We Do It in the Road?
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it, do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us
Why don't we do it in the road?
The Beatles’ song “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” is a straightforward plea for sexual freedom. The lyrics repeat the question, “Why don’t we do it in the road?” over and over, with the answer coming in the form of the statement, “No one will be watching us.” The song is basically a call for the characters in the song to do what they want and to ignore societal pressure to conform to traditional morality.
The repetition of the lyrics can be seen as a reflection of the characters’ desire for liberation. By repeating the question, it emphasizes their desire to break free from societal norms and expectations. The statement, “No one will be watching us,” can be interpreted both literally and figuratively. Literally, it means that there are no people around to see them, but figuratively, it can be seen as a commentary on how society is not paying attention to their cries for liberation.
Overall, “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” reflects the Beatles’ push for sexual liberation and individualism in the face of societal pressure to conform. It encourages listeners to be free and explore their desires without fear of judgment or outside interference.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't we do it in the road?
Let's engage in sexual activity out in the open, without any regard for traditional privacy or social expectations.
No one will be watching us
There will be no one around to interrupt or disturb us during our proposed sexual encounter.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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