“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” is a song by the Beatles, a famous English rock band. It’s from their 1968 double album called “The Beatles,” which some people also call “the White Album.” Paul McCartney wrote the song, and it’s credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership.
McCartney wrote “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” in a Jamaican ska style and used a phrase made popular by Jimmy Scott, a musician from London with Nigerian roots, for the song’s title and chorus.
The song tells a story about a couple named Desmond and Molly and their everyday life. “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da” is part of the chorus and gives the song a happy and carefree feel.
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind the lyrics.
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Inspiration Behind “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”
Paul McCartney started writing “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” when the Beatles were in Rishikesh, India, in early 1968.
Prudence Farrow, a fellow student of Transcendental Meditation, remembered McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison playing the song to her to get her out of her room, where she was deep into meditation.
McCartney came up with the song when reggae music was gaining popularity in Britain. It’s McCartney’s way of trying to capture the Jamaican ska style. The character named Desmond in the song’s lyrics is a nod to reggae singer Desmond Dekker, who had toured the UK.
The catchy tagline, “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah,” was something Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott-Emuakpor used. He was a friend of McCartney’s. During his performances with his band Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da, Scott would call out “Ob la di,” and the audience would respond with “Ob la da.” Then, he’d wrap it up by saying, “Life goes on.”
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly, “Girl, I like your face”
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
In Verse 1, the lyrics introduce a couple named Desmond and Molly.
Desmond has a cart in the market square, while Molly is a singer in a band.
Desmond compliments Molly’s appearance, and Molly takes his hand in response.
This verse sets the stage for their story.
[Chorus]
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, brah
La-la, how their life goes on
In the chorus, the lyrics mention that “life goes on” for the couple, emphasizing that despite the ups and downs, they keep moving forward together.
The repetition of “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da” and “la-la” adds a joyful and carefree tone to their everyday life.
[Verse 2]
Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweler’s store (Choo-choo-choo)
Buys a twenty-karat golden ring (Ring)
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her, she begins to sing (Sing)
In Verse 2, the lyrics describe how Desmond goes to a jewelry store and buys a valuable, twenty-karat golden ring.
He brings the ring back to Molly, who is waiting at the door.
When he gives her the ring, she starts singing.
This verse implies that Desmond has proposed to Molly and they got married.
[Bridge]
In a couple of years, they have built a home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones (Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha)
The Bridge section mentions that over the course of a few years, they have built a happy home together, with children playing in their yard.
The lyrics highlight their contented family life, portraying Desmond and Molly as a happily married couple.
[Verse 3]
Happy ever after in the marketplace
Desmond lets the children lend a hand (Arm, leg)
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening, she still sings it with the band
Yes!
In Verse 3, the lyrics depict the lifestyles of Desmond and Molly. Desmond is shown working in the marketplace, and his children are helping him there.
Molly, on the other hand, stays at home and dressing herself up, as evident in the line “does her pretty face.”
Despite their different roles, they both appear content with their choices.
In the evenings, Molly continues to pursue her passion for singing with her band.
[Verse 4]
Happy ever after in the marketplace
Molly lets the children lend a hand (Foot)
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening, she’s a singer with the band (Yeah)
In Verse 4, Desmond is shown staying at home this time, and he takes care of his appearance (“does his pretty face”).
Meanwhile, Molly works in the marketplace with her children in the morning and continues to pursue her career as a singer in the evenings.
This verse underscores the idea that their roles are flexible, and they support each other in their respective pursuits
[Outro]
(Ha-ha-ha-ha) And if you want some fun (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Take Ob-la-di-bla-da
Ahh, thank you
In the Outro, the lyrics suggest that if you’re looking for some fun or enjoyment, you should take a cue from “Ob-la-di-bla-da.”
It’s a playful and cheerful ending, emphasizing the song’s overall message of embracing life and its ups and downs with a joyful attitude.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”
The title of the song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” comes from a reggae band led by Jimmy Scott, known as Jimmy Scott and his Obla Di Obla Da Band. McCartney explained that Jimmy Scott, who used to frequent clubs, would say in a Jamaican accent, “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on.” He said:
“A fella who used to hang around the clubs used to say in a Jamaican accent, “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on,” and he got annoyed when I did a song of it, ’cause he wanted a cut. I said, ‘Come on, Jimmy, it’s just an expression.”
When McCartney wrote a song with that expression, Scott wanted a share of the profits, but McCartney declined, saying it was just a saying.
Later, when Jimmy Scott needed money for bail due to missing alimony payments and McCartney wanted to use the name “Obla Di Obla Da,” McCartney’s friend Alistair Taylor provided the bail money in exchange for Scott relinquishing rights to the name.
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” tells a fictional story about a couple named Desmond and Molly. McCartney was fond of names, and Desmond was chosen as a Caribbean name to reflect the Jamaican ska influence in the song.
Desmond and Molly’s story reflects the universal experience of encountering both good and challenging times. From Desmond’s proposal to Molly, to their family life with children, and Molly’s singing career, the song portrays the various stages of their relationship.
The song’s upbeat and carefree melody, coupled with its cheerful lyrics, conveys a message of optimism and resilience. It encourages us to embrace life with a positive attitude, even when faced with difficulties or setbacks.
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” reminds us that life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the key is to keep moving forward and finding happiness in the simple moments.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.