"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".
| "Oh Woman, Oh Why" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Paul McCartney | ||||
| A-side | "Another Day" | |||
| Released | 19 February 1971 | |||
| Recorded | 3 November 1970 | |||
| Genre | Blues rock[1] | |||
| Length | 4:32 | |||
| Label | Apple | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
| Producer(s) | Paul McCartney | |||
| Paul McCartney singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Lyrics and music
editThe overall style of "Oh Woman, Oh Why" is that of a tense, blues rock song complemented by a fierce vocal delivery.[2][3] 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.[2] Blaney also praises McCartney's "economical" bass line and Denny Seiwell's "thunderous" drumming.[2] 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."[2]
Release
edit"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.[4][5][6] On the Cash Box Top 100 chart, which listed sides separately, "Oh Woman, Oh Why" peaked at number 55.[7] The song has been praised for McCartney's impressive range of vocal pitch.[8] Record World called it "an intense raving side literally packed with dynamite."[9]
Subsequent releases
editAlthough "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.[10] It was also included on The 7" Singles Box in 2022.[11]
Personnel
edit- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, electric guitar, percussion, shaker, gun shots
- Linda McCartney – backing vocals
- Hugh McCracken – electric guitar
- Denny Seiwell – drums, percussion, shaker
References
edit- ^ "Oh Woman, Oh Why: Paul McCartney anticipa gli AC/DC". 29 April 2018.
- ^ 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
- ^ "Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 20 February 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "RAM Tracklisting Announced Today". paulmccartney.com. 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "'The 7" Singles Box' – Out 2 December 2022". PaulMcCartney.com. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
External links
edit
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