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Released in 1971

Oh Woman, Oh Why

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on November 11, 2018

Album This song officially appears on the Another Day / Oh Woman Oh Why 7" Single.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1971

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

From Wikipedia:

“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“.

Release

Upon release, “Another Day/Oh Woman, Oh Why” achieved a top-5 status in both the United Kingdom and the United States, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 in the United Kingdom in April 1971. On the Cash Box Top 100 chart, which listed sides separately, the song peaked at number 55. The song has also been praised for McCartney’s impressive range of vocal pitch.

Style

The overall style of “Oh Woman, Oh Why” is that of a tense, blues rock song complimented by a fierce vocal delivery. In addition, the song is paced by drum rhythm which establishes a solid foundation upon which tight guitar lines interweave. McCartney’s gritty vocal upon this track has been described by one author as being as one of his most solid and authentic performances.

Later release

Although “Another Day” and “Oh Woman, Oh Why” were not originally released upon any solo or Wings album, both songs would be released as bonus tracks upon later editions of Paul and Linda McCartney’s 1971 solo album, Ram. “Oh Woman, Oh Why” has also been included upon the Special and Deluxe editions of the 2012 remasters of Ram.

Lyrics

Woman, oh why, why, why, why, why

What have I done

Oh woman, oh where, where, where, where, where

Did you get that gun

Oh what have I done

What have I done

Well I met her at the bottom of a well

Well I told her I was tryin' to break a spell

But I can't get by, my hands are tied

Don't know why I ever got her to try myself

Cause I can't get by, my hands are tied

Woman, oh why, why, why, why

What have I done

Oh woman, oh where, where, where, where, where

Did you get that gun

Oh what have you done

Woman what have you done

Well I am fed up with your lying cheating ways

But I get up every morning and every day

But I can't get by, my hands are tied

Don't know why I want her to try myself

Cause I can't get by, my hands are tied

Oh woman, oh why, why, why, why, why

What have I done

Oh woman, oh where, where, where, where, where

Did you get that gun

Woman, what have I done

What have you done

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Oh Woman, Oh Why”

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present

"Oh Woman, Oh Why" is one of the songs featured in the book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present," published in 2021. The book explores Paul McCartney's early Liverpool days, his time with the Beatles, Wings, and his solo career. It pairs the lyrics of 154 of his songs with his first-person commentary on the circumstances of their creation, the inspirations behind them, and his current thoughts on them.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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edrebber • 6 years ago

Oh Woman, Oh Why was also a bonus track on a reissue of the Wild Life Abum.

The PaulMcCartney Project • 6 years ago

Thanks edrebber ! Indeed I need to add the Wild Life 1993 remaster - thanks !

John Bromley • 5 years ago

In the second stanza - 4th verse the correct words (in this song) are:

Don't know why the woman is so messed up -

I'd like to see someone get this right someday

John Bromley • 5 years ago

Verse 2, line 4 original lyrics: Don't know why the woman's so messed up

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