Oh Woman, Oh Why
"Oh Woman, Oh Why" | ||||
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Single by Paul McCartney | ||||
A-side | "Another Day" | |||
Released | 19 February 1971 | |||
Recorded | 3 November 1970 | |||
Genre | Blues rock, hard rock | |||
Length | 4:32 | |||
Label | Apple | |||
Songwriter(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
Producer(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
Paul McCartney singles chronology | ||||
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"Oh Woman, Oh Why" is a song written by English musician Paul McCartney, first released on the Apple Records label in February 1971 as the B-side to McCartney's debut single as a solo artist, "Another Day".
Lyrics and music[]
The overall style of "Oh Woman, Oh Why" is that of a tense, blues rock song complemented by a fierce vocal delivery.[1][2] In addition, the song is paced by a drum rhythm which establishes a solid foundation upon which tight guitar lines interweave. Beatle biographer John Blaney praised McCartney's "rip-roaring" vocal performance for its grit and rawness.[1] Blaney also praises McCartney's "economical" bass line and Denny Seiwell's "thunderous" drumming.[1] Blaney does criticize the lyrics for "questioning rather than celebrating womanhood," stating that in this context the aggressiveness of the vocal performance is "particularly notable."[1]
Release[]
"Oh Woman, Oh Why" was listed with "Another Day" during the single's run on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The record peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100 in April 1971.[3][4][5] On the Cash Box Top 100 chart, which listed sides separately, "Oh Woman, Oh Why" peaked at number 55.[6] The song has been praised for McCartney's impressive range of vocal pitch.[7]
Subsequent releases[]
Although "Another Day" and "Oh Woman, Oh Why" were not originally released on any solo or Wings album, both songs appeared as bonus tracks on later editions of Paul and Linda McCartney's 1971 solo album, Ram. "Oh Woman, Oh Why" has also been included on the Special and Deluxe editions of the 2012 remasters of Ram.[8]
Personnel[]
- Paul McCartney - vocals, bass, electric guitar, percussion, shaker, gun shots
- Hugh McCracken – electric guitar
- Denny Seiwell – drums, percussion, shaker
- Linda McCartney – backing vocals
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Blaney, John (2007). Lennon & McCartney: Together Alone. Jawbone Books. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-906002-02-2.
- ^ Fanelli, Damian (17 June 2018). "Paul McCartney: 15 of His Best Under-the-Radar Solo Songs". guitarworld.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ Rock Movers & Shakers by Dafydd Rees & Luke Crampton, 1991 Billboard Books.
- ^ "Paul McCartney Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. 17 April 1971. p. 56. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book. Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
- ^ Still the Greatest: The Essential Songs of The Beatles' Solo Careers p. 42
- ^ "RAM Tracklisting Announced Today". paulmccartney.com. 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
External links[]
- 1971 singles
- Apple Records singles
- Music published by MPL Music Publishing
- Paul McCartney songs
- Song recordings produced by Paul McCartney
- Songs written by Paul McCartney
- The Beatles song stubs