Teddy Boy

Album: McCartney (1970)
Play Video
  • This is the story of a boy named Ted
    If his mother said, Ted, be good, he would

    She told him tales about his soldier dad
    But it made her sad, then she'd cry, oh my
    Ted used to tell her he'd be twice as good
    And he knew he could, because in his head

    He said, mommy don't worry, now Teddy boy's here
    Taking good care of you
    Mommy don't worry, your teddy boy's here
    Teddy's going to see you through

    Then came the day she found herself a man
    Teddy turned and ran, far away, okay
    He couldn't stand to see his mother in love
    With another man, he didn't know, oh no
    He found a place where he could settle down
    And from time to time, in his head

    He said, mommy don't worry, now Teddy boy's here
    Taking good care of you
    Mommy don't worry, your teddy boy's here
    Teddy's going to see you through

    She said, Teddy don't worry, now mommy is here
    Taking good care of you
    Teddy don't worry, your mommy is here
    Mommy's going to see you through

    This is the story of a boy named Ted
    If his mother said, Ted, be good, he would Writer/s: Paul McCartney
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Camille from MichiganPerhaps John didn't like the song because it was a little too personal. Yes, John wrote many songs that were very personal however this one was written by Paul and it wasn't cloaked in imagery as many of The Beatles songs were. Maybe, coming from Paul, it seemed a little too invasive or condescending?
  • Joe from Matawan, NjLooking at the lyrics, it seems like this song could be about John -- "soldier dad made her sad" = Alf leaving for the Merchant Navy ships. "Mommy don't worry, Teddy is here" -- John was very fond of Julia. "Then came the day she found herself a man", "He couldn't stand to see his mother in love" -- Julia remarried John Dykins, but John never really like him. Maybe not, but seems a little plausible!
  • Alicia from Rome, ItalyJohn hated this song and did not want it on the Let it Be album, hence the "square dance" bits in the Beatles recording. It was his way of expressing his distaste for the song.
  • Tom Mccafferty from Burnaby, CanadaI like the Beatle's version better, with John's square dance bit.
  • Claudio from São Paulo, BrazilLike Teddy Boy, Paul also wrote in India: Rocky Raccoon (aka Rocky Sassoon), Why Don't We Do It In The Road, Junk (aka Jubilee), Mother Nature's Son, I Will, Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da, Back In The USSR, Cosmically Conscious and others.

    Claudio Dirani
  • Claudio from São Paulo, BrazilTed was also a cousin of Paul's
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.