Composition Details by Lennon-McCartney

Recording Sessions: 4th and 5th October 1968
Produced by: George Martin
Engineering: Barry Sheffield
Release Dates: 22nd November 1968 (UK), 25th November 1968 (US)

Featured on: The Beatles (White Album)

Contributing Artists:

• Paul McCartney: vocals, piano, bass, lead guitar, handclaps
• George Harrison: electric guitar
• Ringo Starr: drums
• Bernard Miller, Dennis McConnell, Lou Sofier, Les Maddox: violins
• Leo Birnbaum, Henry Myerscough: violas
• Reginald Kilbey, Frederick Alexander: cellos
• Leon Calvert, Stanley Reynolds, Ronnie Hughes: trumpets
• Leon Calvert: flugelhorn
• Tony Tunstall: French horn
• Ted Barker: trombone
• Alf Reece: tuba

About The Song

“Martha My Dear” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album The Beatles (also known as the “White Album”). Credited to Lennon–McCartney, the song was written solely by Paul McCartney inspired in title only by his Old English Sheepdog, Martha. The song has been interpreted as a veiled reference to his break up with Jane Asher, particularly in the line “don’t forget me”. “Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you” refers to her alleged affair while away from McCartney with The Old Vic Theatre.

The song is notable for its piano intro, which is one of McCartney’s most recognizable melodies. It is also one of the few Beatles songs in which McCartney played all of the instruments (except for the orchestral instruments, which were played by session musicians).

“Martha My Dear” was released as a single in the United States on December 9, 1968, with “The Ballad of John and Yoko” as the B-side. It reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Harry Nilsson, Cilla Black, and Barry Manilow. It has also been used in a number of films and television shows, including The Simpsons and Gilmore Girls.

“Martha My Dear” is a beautiful and moving song that has been praised for its melody, lyrics, and McCartney’s performance. It is a classic example of the Beatles’ artistry and innovation.