Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Hard to believe they let this on the White Album. Same goes for Maxwell's Silver Hammer on Abby Road. Sometimes McCartney gets too carried away.

LOL by reading the comments on here I was able to find out the "arm" and "leg" thing. Now I am cracking up everytime I hear it! FYI I am 13 years old, when I first heard the Beatles this was the first song I ever heard. THE BEATLES HAVE NO AGE!

You kids won't remember but back in the day it was thought to be another "clue" that Paul was dead. As I recall, "Ob La Di/Da" was supposed to mean something like "He died, yeah/ He died, hail God."

Here in Argentina, this song was a soccer chant for Boca Juniors fanatics (in the 70s) with the lyrics: "dale bo dale bo dale bo...ca, dale dale dale bo.."

sugarland did a song without any , or not many, lyrics in the form of words. the main content was "ooo's and variations thereof. does any one know its title....... vic gnvlock@socal.rr.com

Soooo blessed that my parents ain't FREAKS! lol They introduced me to this song years ago and I have to say this is probably one of my "go-to songs". It's really hard for me to pick a favorite Beatles song...I don't thing anybody can!

oh my god i never realized that Olba-Di and WDYGAJ had the same tune!! wow that just was awesome news to me xD

I was listening to the remastered stereo version on windows media player and i was messing around with the audio configuration on my computer and i hit "voice cancellation", (i guess it's for karioke or something), and i decided to listen to the song from the start , because it sounded really weird. at 00:02 i heard a voice say something..but i have no idea what and now it is bugging me.

If they say Obladi Oblada was the bad song, why nobody said anything about songs in the earlier Beatles album ? I presume while you, arrogant white people (not meant to be racist) fooling yourself bashing this song, I could guarantee you that this song was very popular in non-English speaking countries. Why? Because this is great song. If only this song were written by somebody else. people would have said that this is a masterpiece (that's why Marmalade was so successful).
What I love about this song is the intro. First comes John on the piano. And then the bass. And the drums and handclaps. Really feel good.

Yeah, I can see why John would be the one to say "Thank you" at the end of the song; I'd be thankful I finished a single song if it took 60+ takes too!

after the first desmond lets the children lend a hand gorge and john messing around scream arm leg

It means "Life goes on" in Nigerian.
To be frank, everyone here is wrong about the meaning. The meaning is very simple.
There is NO drug references whatsoever.
'Ob-la-di ob-la-da' means exactly the words after it mean. It means "Life goes on" in Nigerian. And that is the exact meaning of the song. It is not a drug of any sort. If you say the word "Sing" out loud right before the last sentence of the song you'll hear paul say "Sing Ob-la-di ob-la-da", and if you say "Take" outloud before the last sentence you'll hear 'take'. It's very interesting but true. Anyway, Life goes on.

I listened to the song again and I think I heard the "arm" "leg" part. Is it around 1:45?

Guys, if you actually READ the songfacts, it said Paul ACCIDENTALLY said Desmond does his pretty face. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A SEX CHANGE.

By the way, anyone know what is shouted at the beginning of the song?

Before I read the lyrics I always thought it was "Jasmine" instead of "Desmond" and "the government fears" instead of "in a couple of years". Wow. Makes so much more sense now. Boy, do I feel stupid.

Paul McCartney sang this in Miami on his "Up and Coming" tour. It was amazing! Everyone automatically stood up and danced

I'm sorry, I like John and believe he was very talented but boy could he be pretentious and boring.....

Hey Johnny, I´ve read an interview with Mal Evans somewhere, in which he says it´s John who says thank you". :)

Does anyone know who says "thank you" at the end?? I mean, it sounds like Paul, but i'm not quite sure.

@Chuck

I don't know what you mean by saying Paul wrote a lot of bullsh*t, he wrote beautiful songs as well as happy upbeat songs, what do you call "Yesterday"?

This is a pretty good song. Good lyrics and good beat to it.

i swear, it doesnt say TAKE. it says SING. if you want some fun, sing obladiblada. it says take in the booklet, but i always hear sing.

This song makes me dance, albeit poorly. It's clearly about drug use and cross dressing. reference points self explanatory. one example overlooked, desmond and molly jones, for obladi oblada. a normal mundane life, trying not to jones for the drug they used before the kids came along. I also wonder which beatle was a closet cross dresser, probably ringo. Enjoy.

This song makes me dance, albeit badly. It's clearly about cross dressing, and drugs. You know the reference points. One observation no one has mentioned to prove this is the fact that their last name is jones. Desmond and molly jones for obladi, oblada. whatever drug reference that means to Mcartney, I guess only he knows. I wonder which beatle was a closet cross dresser? Enjoy

personally to me,the title is a drug just because of the last line in the song...if you want some fun TAKE obladiblada.also not only that listen to the way they act at the end of the song, sounds to me like they are on something lol!

It's just a pop song. About as meaningful as "Twinkle Little Star".

I love that song! It is really nice and it makes my hyper :D!
Uhm, I love John, But I dunno why he dislikes that song, I do not agree with him in that, and with georges too.
I LOVE PAUL

Sir Paul Mc never had any agreement with my late husband Jimmy Scott about the rights to the words being forfeit for a sum of money when he was in trouble. As I was the one who contacted Sir Paul Mc I can verify this fact. May I repeat: no rights were forfeit and the next time we were going to meet according to Sir Paul on the phone that day was for a photo session for the white album, presumably before it was decided to be white. As I recall it was The People newspaper who spread this story after wrongly interpreting an interview with my late husband. As far as I am aware Paul himself has nevfer said such a thing. I should like to be corrected if he has.

"trite and meaningless"?! why was john always so bitter when it came to paul's songs, or him in general? it seems that they hated each other by the time they broke up. kind of ruins the magic of their later stuff if you remember what was actually going on then within the band...

I agree Forrest.... I LOVE them all, I REALLY LOVE most of them, and OBSESSION cannot begin to describe my infatuation with the rest!! The Beatles have changed my life, it's to bad i was born about 30 years too late..

Voice edited for Ringo, only a bit. i forgot to say that, and also i hear maracas.

The "La-la-la"'s were actually done by Ringo Starr.
Paul thought this sounded great and George and John were not very happy. They all hated this song but i think Paul persuaded Ringo to like it.

cheeky Paul.

i cant go through this song without smiling its just so upbeat and happy i love it! top 2 for me :D

Nice song. Not special but better than thousands.

Some of you need to give him a break!! Just because he wrote masterpieces doesn't mean he ALWAYS had to have written them!

My parents told me that i used to dance to this song when i could barely walk. im 14; how crazy is that. I think that's where my passion for all things classic-rock started. I love how bouncy and upbeat it is. I LOVE RINGO!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone know if Paul has ever sung Ob-la-di Ob-la-da in any of his recent concerts? I think this is one of the songs he has forgotten about...

I like this song. A good melody is the most valuable commodity in music. No one was better than Paul at coming up with catchy melodies. John would make fun of him in 67 thru 70 because Paul got most of the singles. For you Beatles fans that hate this song, go listen to Cold Turkey.

Does anyone agree with me that anyone who has a single FAVORITE Beatles song a really sick person?

Probably my least favorite song off the White Album. I rather dislike this one just like John, George, and Ringo did. I apologize to all those who consider it their favorite.

Couldn't it be just about themselves? I mean, Desmond and Molly = John and Paul. Or vice-versa? Why not?

Its a great song...especially the piano in the beginning. Its definitely a PICK ME UP! Try to not tap your toes to it...you can't!

This is quite different song. I remeber sing this for chours 2 years ago and everyone hated it. But this year when I found out The Beatles wrote this song I was really surpised escpeically when I heard Paul sang it. It's just not a song I could see Paul writting but artists r very verstile i guess which is a good thing. Like George Harrison's song Crackerbox Palace and music video isn't like him at all. But nothing the less they r both good songs.

Could it be about drugs? Naw...

Could it be about sex? Naw...

Could it be a simple song about nothing at all? Naw...

Regarding the OffSpring reference...I knew that part of it was to the tune of "Obla di", but the other part sounds like part of "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel. In case anyone wants to check it out.

Judging from the circumstances illustrated in the song, the marriage of Desmond and Molly Jones is very fragile, and Desmond's pickup line is just about the worst. (I like to comment on long hair and out-of-date fashions, both of which I like)

Great song. It's very light and not meant to be taken seriously.

And Joe, I thought She's Leaving Home was beautiful with the string section. Also, I agree that Within You Without You isn't the best off of Sgt. Peppers, but George made up for it later. Hell, it kinda grew on me and I don't find my self dreading when "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" is over.

In Pittsburgh we like to Polka! Beer, Steelers, and Polka! This song was one of the most played on the jukebox. Yes, you read that right, jukebox!!! Remember, this song came out before the days of CD,s. Don,t tell me that you can listen to this song and NOT clap your hands and bounce in your seat.

I heard this song toke 10 days to record. The atmosphere was very controlled and stringent. Also, the song isn't too good.

I wish I understood the songfacts "profiles". If this song is Black and pieces-like deep, I sure don't get it. Seems to me that this is one of those Paul songs that your grandmother would clap along with.

No Doubt did a cover of this, I thought it was very good. It can be found on their "Live in the Tragic Kingdom" dvd.

Anyone who thinks this song sucks has no soul. I remember one time I was so drunk, my bros girlfriend was driving us home from some party and one of my friends starts singing "Desmond has a barrel in the market place".... then in my drunken state I just couldn't help singing along, no matter how much it pissed off the sober driver.

not the beatles best but a good song with a good meaning that life goes on no matter what happens

McCartney wrote a lot of bullsh*t (particularly after The Beatles broke up.). However, this is one of his PRECIOUS few (if not the only) "fun"/"goofy" song that actually is REALLY good. It's a fantastic up-tempo, upbeat song. Certainly not the "worst ever."

This song is fantastic! The reason I love this and 'The Continuing Story Of Bungallow Bill' is the choruses are noth so catchy: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on!. It definetly gives you the reality of things. Something bad happens, oh well, life goes on. Though the rest of the lyrics aren't very much intended to be like this. The rest is happiness and everything. Anyways, really great and catchy song.

The first Sex-Change song. "Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face" after previously working with a wheelbarrow!

Sex change? Nope. I have an acetate demo where Paul correctly sings "Molly stays at home and does her pretty face." According to John, after 50 or 60 takes, they finally got it right, and Paul giggled, "Oops...made a mistake..." and the other three pretty much said "TOO BAD. ENOUGH'S ENOUGH!" They were tired of Paul rehearsing HIS songs over and over! And like "the movement you need is on your shoulder" (a Paul throwaway line John insisted should be kept) everyone figured some sexual ambiguity suited the song. But it wasn't intended that way when Paul wrote it.

She's leaving home is one of my favourite songs of all time. It's definatly not a weak spot on the album. Within you Without you is admitedly hard going.

THE WHITE ALBULM

I kinda like this song. I gotta admit, it's catchy. It's DEFINITELY NOT the worst song ever. There are SOOOO many better candidates for that apparently much-coveted title. It's not even McCartney's worst song. Again, the potential candidates are numerous (Wonderful Christmastime gets my vote). There are even better candidates amidst his Beatles tunes. For instance She's Leaving Home has never been one of my favourites. I always thought that one and Within You Without You were the weakest spots on a brilliant album, but at least George's song (with its sitar psychedelia) is more representative of the album and of the year it was released. She's Leaving Home just seems like Paul was trying too hard to make something "important" and, to me at least, only achieved filler. I apologize in advance to anyone who loves She's Leaving Home.

This song shows what McCartney was yearning for in the middle of his world-famous, jet-setting Beatle life: a good, old-fashioned family life, with music and maybe just a little weirdness thrown in!

So whether this is a good song or a bad song...I don't think it matters.

Cause life goes on.

Hmm, it seems either you love it or you hate it, that "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", and there's no inbetween. I personally really like this song, but not as much as Paul's other "fun" songs from the White Album. I didn't think anyone would be analyzing this, but if we must, here is my point of view, and not of the lyrics, but of the song and where it fits in on the album. If you take only all of the Paul tracks off the White Album, notice that NONE of them sound alike, and furthermore have a sound that is very atypical to your usual Beatles numbers. Paul eloquently styled himself to all different KINDS of music, from the Beach Boy-esque sound in "Back in the USSR", to the country-folky "Rocky Racoon", and even to the old 30's ragtime piano sound in "Honey Pie". All of it, listened together in one sitting, is an incredibly different and spectacular musical experience. I didn't listen to "Ob-La-Di" and think "Gee, let me hear that one again!", but I didn't automatically label it as pure crap either. It's just a part of the wonderfully diverse set of songs off the White Album, and while it doesn't stand alone as a great McCartney number such as "Yesterday", "For No One", or "Blackbird" (which no one has mentioned...), it stands well with and inside The White Album. That's my take on it.

hey yiota from australlia john lennon wasnt just a stupid druggo he was actually more of a talented songwritr than mccartney but yea i lov this song too

While it's tempo and tune are upbeat and catchy, I believe the song is about a sex-change. 'Obladi-Oblada' is the name of the sex change drug the couple is taking. Made clear by the fact that the couples' roles completely reverse by the end of the song. When he says:
"Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face...
And in the evening she's a singer with the band..."

That's no mistake, 'she' refers to Desmond, who has done up his face to look like a woman, and goes out to sing in a band, AS a woman. And Molly "let's the children lend a hand" as Desmond did earlier in the song.

The lyrics to this song are awful, but like alot of McCartney songs, his excellent musicianship pulls him out. Good bassline

The beat is actually more "ska" than "reggae" as it has a faster pace. Ska has never been a mainstream form of music but in many city clubs and bars there seem to be lots of ska bands and their loyal fans. I've seen many of these here in New York City and every time I hear the Beatles' song it reminds me of how ahead of their time the Beatles actually were.

If you notice at the beginning of the song:
the piano intro starts with a very hard, sharp chord, repeated 9 or 10 times, almost like he's POUNDING the piano.

This was the result of Johnny's frustation with so many takes.

Also, I'm sure you all know about the mix up in lyrics (desmond ends up going to sing in the band, while Molly stays at home with the store)...

I disagree. It's not supposed to be a masterpiece. Its meant to be in the spirit of reggae which is of a positive tone. Its easier to listen to then like Rocky Raccoon.

I love the controversy!! Some people really like it, some hate it. I agree with Adrian that it is not a comparison for Yesterday, Here there...or Eleanor, but there is something in it for me. I heard Paul once say that a Jamaican friend would answer the "how are you?" question with those words. "Ob la di, ob la da life goes on." It was a fun song, no Winding Road either, but a fun song. I like the catchy tune, but then I am on the other side of the fence than adrian. The songs like Yesterday only have one side to the fence. That is what separated the two. Note: Adrian and I BOTH like Yesterday.

John, actually one Beatle sings SAY and another sings TAKE at the same time.

Jim, I agree that the last line of the song is a drug reference - ...if you want some fun, take ob-la-di-bla-da, which is a segmented way of saying - oh bloody blotter, blotter being a form of LSD/acid. Another hidden drug reference is from Happiness Is A Warm Gun, when John sings - ...like a lizard on a windowpane. Windowpane is also a type of LSD/acid.

Great song, great beat. Keeps ya moving. It's not what the song is about, it's about the song getting into to you, then they got you. that's it. and also:

Jim, from Macungie, PA, I believe the correct lyric is "and if u want some fun, SAY ob-la-de-bla-da." Makes more sense.

I listened closely and heard the arm and leg parts. Those two crack me up!

I love this song! Who said that Paul had to write deep, meaningful songs all the time! I loved it the first time I heard it. The whole arm and leg shoutouts, are they in the anthology cd's? I've never heard it on the white album but maybe I need to listen closer. Give Sir Paul a break!

Quite possibly my favorite Beatles song right now. Just love it.

I know a lot of people think this was one of Macca's worst but I absolutely LOVE this song it is such a bright, happy song.

People are so stupid. The Beatles didn't make all their songs deep and meaningful. This songs just supposed to be happy and fun. This song is amazing.

ARM LEG!

I think the song is about relaxing with drugs cause at the very end it goes "and if u want some fun, take ob-la-de-bla-da."

John said this song makes no sense??? Maybe Paul should have added some lines about "yellow matter custard" or "semolina pilchers" or maybe "eggmen"... it would make a lot of sense then.

Did anyone hear the No Doubt version of this song? It's actually quite good. Kinda makes you chuckle, and leave Paul alone... not his best... but so so happy!!!

Re obladi oblada
Jimmy Scott didnt actually write the song but presented Paul with a "style sheet" or a "groove" in jazz terms, an original copy of which I have. Paul then used this build the song which explains why Jimmy wanted a "cut" as cited in the playboy article. All african music is conveyed in such terms rather than being fully notated

I find it humorous that Offspring copied this song and had a big hit with it, but hardly anyone mentions this (excluding Robert, Zapata, TX). I don't think the "worst song ever" would be copied 30 years later, to lots of success.

definitly a booster song

I can't believe that so many people hate this song! It did take a few goes for it to grow on me, but every time I hear it it's got a different feel. Kind of reminds me of my first girlfriend who was indeed named Molly, but only because of the upbeat tempo and whatnot that reminds me of her sense of humor...but anyway...
Its just a cool song. Its not like anything else I've heard. It's lighthearted and just like sayin "life moves on, you should move with it". I know a few people who listen to this song when they're depressed and it helps em.

I think Paul liked to have fun and try his hand at different styles. Honey Pie and Back In The USSR, same album, show someone who can capture the essence of a style of music in a way that seems effortless. I don't suppose it's easy to write in a new stye in a way that doesn't sound like a rip off of someone else's song.

hey! I like this song. whenever I have a bad day I listen to it!

give Paul a break! sure it's not his best ever, and I think he knows that1 but it's a pretty cool song nonetheless. It'scatchy and fun, and sometimes you need though types of songs to balance ouththe heavier ones.

The bass is double-tracked, with the second bass adding a grace note. In "Think for Yourself" there are two basses, too, but there one is a fuzz bass that almost takes the place of lead guitar. This song is best the first time you hear it, and then loses its appeal -- exactly the opposite of most of the songs on The White Album.

They screem out foot and leg right after "Desmond lets the children lend a hand". It was probably because George and John were so irritated with Paul and how many takes the recording of this song was taking they just wanted to have fun and mess something up. Another poor Paul song with a saving grace of the baseline.

What's the significance of ARM and LEG being shouted out ?

where in the song do john and george screm "foot" and "arm"?

Way to go, Daniel. I completely agree. This is just a fun tune...my gosh, not all songs have to be thought-provoking masterpieces. Paul McCartney was/is incredible, and for the ones who criticize him, I'd love to see YOUR songwriting work.

I have wondered why this song was ever recorded. To John from Wilmington: I cracked up when I heard "arm" and "leg" in the recording but I also heard "crack" as well.

To John in NC...You can also hear george say foot when Paul sings the Desmond stays at home and does is pretty face lines.

I LOVE THIS SONG! It's a song about marriage and a growing loving family. "In a couple years they have built a home sweet home with a couple of kids running in the yard" "Happy ever after in the market place Densmond lets the children lend a hand" Great song! Thank You Paul McCartney

Undoubtedly one of The Beatles greatest pop moments. This is the Fab Four track that thesedays fills the dancefloor the most. A great singalong tune!

All the self-proclaimed critics love to turn their noses up at this but I just look at it as a part of the rich tapestry of the "White Album". If you want to be moved, listen to "She's Leaving Home", "For No One", "Eleanor Rigby", "The Long and Winding Road" and countless other McCartney pieces. If this song's so bad, try writing a better one yourself.

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da was voted the worst song ever in a poll conducted by BBC

This song is just a fun ditty. It's not meant to be anywhere as deep as Here, There, and Everywhere.

Hey Adrian sometimes people write songs without the intention of them being masterpieces. Sure we all hold Paul in high regards, especially when it comes to songwriting. But this song was just meant to have a fun bouncy beat with meaningless lyrics. I know your a Beatles fan, so it's all good.

This song's great, it's one of the Beatles' more light-hearted songs. It's funny how john, george, and ringo were so upset about the whole thing, I wish i could here the clip when george and john yell "arm" and "leg" Ha ha.And, ya, Life Goes On is one of the greatest shows ever. Chris Burke is such a talent. I love him, he brings a warm feeling to the heart. :)

I love this song. May not be a masterpiece like "Eleanor Rigby", but it certainly is really catchy and fun. The White Album is really diverse, and this song is all part of that diversity.

For starters this isn't such a bad song. Sure, it's not as good as "Hey Jude" or "Yesterday" but it doesn't suck. Also, about this song being on the 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever, when the show actually aired it was not on the list. Neither was Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". Does anyone know why that is?

John and George hated this song. While recording the song you can hear George shout out "Arm", while John shouts out "leg." Guess they were looking for amusement. Certainly cracks me up.

Obladi-Oblada means "life goes on" in Nigerian.

Paul wasnt mistakenly singing "Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face." ...
after all , the whole song was about sex change.

paul knew what he was doing, besides a light fun song here and there are sometimes needed to balance all the heavy serious ones. i like this song.

I'm with you Bob this is a great song i play it at the over 30's night i DJ to. the crowd love it ,,, it's a fun song , everyone lighten up.. i suppose someones gonna say it's about drugs .....

I hate this song too.

Hey yeah so maybe its not one of Paul's most moving songs ever, but honestly its a mighty cool song... its a fun beat and its just plain cool... give the poor guy a break

Don't be so hard on Sir Paul; it's just meant as a fun song. Tell me when you hear it you don't start movin' to the catchy tune. It would be hard not to. The Beatles are the best and will always be the best.

it just shows that even geniuses can screw up horribly if they try hard enough.

This song made the list of the 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever and I can see why. It's a piece of trash. For shame Paul, for shame. You write masterpieces like "Yesterday," "Elanor Rigby," and "Here, There and Eeverwhere," and then you write this. What's up with that?

The character Desmond is in homage to the Jamaican Ska/Rocksteady/Reggae artist Desmond Decker, according to the liner notes on D.D.'s "Rockin' Steady" (a greatest hits collection).

The beat to this song is the same one used for "get a job" by offspring