Oh! Darling

Oh! Darling is a Paul McCartney song. It was released on the Abbey Road album in 1969.

The song follows a New Orleans-style rhythm and blues style (reminiscent of Fats Domino) and it sounds like a locally-grown, Louisiana "swamp blues" (like Slim Harpo's song, Raining in my Heart). This distinctive style requires a rough, almost gravelly vocal treatment. Paul worked hard to alter his vocal style to fit the song better, working early and late at the studio and practicing at home. John thought that the song was more appropriate for his voice (and many people agree); however, at that juncture it would have been unusual for Paul to pass it over. As John said of Paul, "He wrote it, so what the hell, he's going to sing it." Harrison's take was that the chord structure of Oh! Darling made it sound like one of countless songs from the 1950's and 1960's.

On January 27, 1969, in the middle of the Get Back recording sessions, Lennon announced the news that Yoko's divorce had been made final. The group played an impromptu version of Oh! Darling, inserting "free at last" into the lyrics. This celebration was released as part of the Anthology 3 collection.

The rhythm track was finally laid down on 20 April 1969. Thereafter many overdub attempts were made, especially by Paul for the lead vocal. After sessions on April 26, July 17 and July 23, the song was completed with some critically-acclaimed doo-wop harmonies on August 11.