The Unexpected Inspiration Behind The Beatles' Song Martha My Dear

May 2024 · 1 minute read

In 1968, The Beatles released "The Beatles," a double album more commonly known as "The White Album." According to Newsweek, the combined LPs run 93 minutes long and include notable songs like "Dear Prudence" — written about Mia Farrow's sister, Prudence, during a trip to India when the young woman was obsessively meditating, (per Beatles Bible), "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Helter Skelter." Perhaps a lesser-known song from this album is "Martha My Dear." Paul McCartney did not often name names when writing about romantic partners. So why was he content with doing so on this song?

The reason could be the fact that Martha was not a romantic partner. Martha was the name of McCartney's sheepdog. Before settling down with his wife Linda McCartney in 1969, McCartney lived in London and bought Martha. In the biography "Many Years from Now," McCartney described Martha as "a dear pet of mine." He intended for the song to be open to many interpretations (per Cheatsheet).

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