Martha My Dear

Martha My Dear was written and performed by Paul McCartney. It first appeared on the double album called The Beatles (known as The White Album). The number is unusual in that the main instrument is a piano, played in the English music hall style, backed up by a brass band. Like many of Paul's later songs, Martha My Dear changes keys several times and employs different time signatures. It starts out in E-flat and then moves to F in the bridge. Paul said the song started out as a piano exercise, stretching him to achieve a higher level of dexterity and competence. The inspiration for the song is Paul's dog, a large, English sheepdog named "Martha," though many persons -- including Paul -- have speculated that the song also addresses how he felt about Jane Asher. She broke off their engagement in mid-1968, about the time the song was written. Recording took place on October 4 and 5 at Trident Studios in London. No other members of the Beatles took part in the recording session.