Teddy Boy by Paul McCartney

Album: McCartney (1970)

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Teddy Boy was a term used throughout the UK. A "Teddy Boy" or "Ted" was a term used to describe a young man who looked and acted like a punk. All of The Beatles, and John Lennon in particular, were accused of being "Teddy Boys" in the early days of the band.
McCartney wrote this during The Beatles' stay in India in March 1968. At the urging of George Harrison, they went on the trip to learn transcendental meditation from the Maharishi, who was considered a spiritual guru. The trip didn't go well, but several songs came out of it. John Lennon wrote "Revolution," "Dear Prudence," and "Sexy Sadie" either in India or as a result of the trip.
The Beatles recorded this during sessions for the Let It Be album, but it didn't make the cut. That recording was released in 1996 on the Beatles Anthology album. >>>
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Jes - Mason City, IA, for above 2

Comments: 6

Camille from MichiganPerhaps John didn't like the song because it was a little too personal. Yes, John wrote many songs that were very personal however this one was written by Paul and it wasn't cloaked in imagery as many of The Beatles songs were. Maybe, coming from Paul, it seemed a little too invasive or condescending?
Joe from Matawan, NjLooking at the lyrics, it seems like this song could be about John -- "soldier dad made her sad" = Alf leaving for the Merchant Navy ships. "Mommy don't worry, Teddy is here" -- John was very fond of Julia. "Then came the day she found herself a man", "He couldn't stand to see his mother in love" -- Julia remarried John Dykins, but John never really like him. Maybe not, but seems a little plausible!
Alicia from Rome, ItalyJohn hated this song and did not want it on the Let it Be album, hence the "square dance" bits in the Beatles recording. It was his way of expressing his distaste for the song.
Tom Mccafferty from Burnaby, CanadaI like the Beatle's version better, with John's square dance bit.
Claudio from SÃ£o Paulo, BrazilLike Teddy Boy, Paul also wrote in India: Rocky Raccoon (aka Rocky Sassoon), Why Don't We Do It In The Road, Junk (aka Jubilee), Mother Nature's Son, I Will, Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da, Back In The USSR, Cosmically Conscious and others.

Claudio Dirani
Claudio from SÃ£o Paulo, BrazilTed was also a cousin of Paul's

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