The Beatles’ song, “Martha My Dear,” has been thought by some to be about Paul McCartney’s love interest at the time, Jane Asher, but according to others (including “The Beatles Bible”), the song was named after an Old English Sheepdog puppy McCartney bought in 1965 soon after buying his house in London. He named his very first pet, “Martha.”
McCartney said, “She was a dear pet of mine. I remember John [Lennon being amazed to see me being so loving to an animal. He said, ‘I’ve never seen you like that before.’ I’ve since thought, you know, he wouldn’t have. It’s only when you’re cuddling around with a dog that you’re in that mode, and she was a very cuddly dog.”
For Beatles geeks, “Martha My Dear” was recorded over two days at Trident Studios in Soho, London. McCartney began the song on Ocrober 4, 1968. He recorded the vocals, piano and drums first, then between 6 pm and 9 pm, 14 session musicians added brass and string parts. From midnight to 4.30am McCartney re-recorded his lead vocals, adding handclaps at the same time. The next day he completed the song with the addition of bass and lead guitar parts.
Piece of cake.