Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

By John T. Marck

A song by Paul, it came from the phrase, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, that means "life goes on," that Paul heard by a man named Jimmy Anonmuogharan Scott Emuakpor, a Nigerian Congo player who played in a group known as Bad Manners. Paul met him in the Bag o' Nails club in Solo, London. When Paul wrote the song, Jimmy Scott was annoyed, citing that he should receive some of the financial rewards for it. McCartney responded by telling him that if he had written any part of it, he would be glad to pay him, but he didn't. Scott sued, and meanwhile, was jailed for refusing to pay support to his ex-wife. Jimmy appealed to Paul to pay his rather large past support payment, which Paul did to help him out, but on the condition that Jimmy drop his case against him over the song. Jimmy did and he and Paul came to be and remained close friends over the years until Scott's death in 1986.

Paul loved this song and made many takes of it, driving the remaining three Beatles' crazy. McCartney wanted it released also as a single, but Lennon hated it and refused to let that happen. Consequently, a Scottish group known as Marmalade recorded it and had a number one hit. There is a mistake in the song where McCartney sang that "Desmond stayed at home and did his pretty face," when it should have been as the other similar line, referring to Molly. The three other Beatles liked the error, and it remained.

Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace, Molly is the singer in a band

Desmond says to Molly, "Girl I like you face," and Molly says this as she takes him by the hand

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on

Desmond takes a trolley to the jewellers store, buys a twenty carat golden ring, (golden ring)

Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door and as he gives it to her she begins to sing (sing)

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on,

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on, yeah

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

Happy ever after in the market place, Desmond lets the children lend a hand

Molly stays at home and does her pretty face and in the evening she still sings it with the band,

Yes, Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra la la how the life goes on,

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on

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,

yeah happy ever after in the market place, Molly lets the children lend a hand

Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face And in the evening she's a singer with the band

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on,

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra, la la how the life goes on

And if you want some fun, take ob-la-di-bla-da, ah, thank you

NOTE: All lyrics contained herein are © Copyright Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of educational reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. Copyright © 2000-2022 by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs © John T. Marck.