I think I found out why I don't like Ob-la-di Ob-la-da. | Page 2 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

Kedame said:

I think the problem most Paul fans have with people who are strictly John or George fans, is that some of them (note I didn't say ALL, because that is certainly not true! There are obviously many people here who celebrate the work of all four Beatles…as a group and solo) dismiss Paul's work as being less than simply for the fact that the majority of it is happy. I like being happy. I don't see why that's a bad thing. I read somewhere the other day that Paul might as well be Justin Bieber…How???? can someone even suggest that?!?!?! Maybe if Bieber was a great melodist, multi-instrumentalist, and singer, and a good-great lyricist.

I think that John and George wrote happy songs. the difference is, and I still believe this, is the 'famous factor'

Paul likes being a star and he comes across this way. It is important to him that fans like him and there is nothing wrong with that. Each fan has their own reason for liking an artist and that is all that matters.

The thing with John and George is, they wanted to just play music and due to the popularity of the band, got tired of all the attention and adulation. For me, depth and emotion in songs is very important and writing about topics that will hold up years from now with meaning and inspiration is what music for me is all about.

I’m sure John and George wanted to be famous, too…at first. I don’t think they went through everything they did in the early years to remain “nobodies.” I think they got tired of it, but they sure did enjoy the benefits being famous got them (i.e. girls, money, girls, girls, money, houses, girls). I think if they worked so hard to become famous, complaining about it every five seconds after you get there is annoying…not that I’m saying that’s what they did because it wasn’t (meaning I exaggerated that a little). Also, since I’ve never been in that position (no one else on Earth has), it’s not really my place to judge how the reacted to it. I’m kind of glad Paul enjoys his fame…but he also knows how to be a private person.  He has always been very good at separating the famous Paul from the private Paul. I think that’s an interesting way to live, and I think he does it very well. He knows how to make the best out of a seemingly impossible situation. I guess his controlling nature helps there. It makes him compelling to me.

The reason I enjoy Paul’s music so much is because it’s usually about everyday life and often about love. It may not always be about his everyday life, but it’s about someone’s. I think he is good at being able to look at the lives of those around him and write about it in a way that a lot of people can understand. Mixed in there somewhere may be a little bit about himself, as well. I read an interview with some female (slightly feminist) filmmaker who said she learned a lot about writing female roles from listening to songs by Paul, especially Another Day . That was a pretty amazing thing for her to say because, as she noted, Paul spent his teenage years without even having a mother. I think he understands human nature very well and is able to look outside of himself for inspiration.

I think Ob-la-di, which may or may not be crap (I don’t think it is), tells a universal story that is lasting. It’s a story that’s been told for centuries. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Life goes on. Also, the boy wears make-up. See, an everlasting story.  I also think part of the stigma of the song is knowing that the other Beatles hated it so much. I don’t think they were completely averse to the actual song because they did decide to record it…but the process of recording it and Paul’s infuriating perfectionism put them off of it forever. (Though, I do think he was probably trying to get under John’s skin…trying to infuriate him so much that John would show some interest in the recording process. It worked, too. John’s piano intro, played while stoned off his ass and spitting mad, is great!)

Anyway…I’ll stop now. I don’t want to get too annoying with my Paul-defense and justification…Like I said, though, I just adore his music. Can’t help it.

Edit: Just thought of something else. Like I said above, I do think Paul enjoys the fact that people enjoy him. HOWEVER, I also think he lives and breathes music. I don't think he is capable of not making music. I've read that he hums and whistles everywhere he goes. Like he just can't help it. Kind of like George bringing his ukes with him everywhere. His love for music shows in his recording all different styles, too. From electronic trance, to vaudeville, to rock, to pop, to R&B, and everything in between. I think the actual process of playing music, any kind of music, regardless of style and/or lyrics, is cathartic for him. It's his way of dealing with emotions…picking up a guitar or sitting at a piano and just jamming them out. According to his brother, the way he dealt with his mother's death was by playing guitar until his fingers bled. After most major tragedies in his life, he has turned to music and other creative projects, become crazy-productive, because it's just the way he deals.

Music is his way of living. I'm sure he enjoys the benefits that come with that…but I think he'd do it without the fame, too.

Okay…I promise I'm done! Hope y'all don't think I'm being belligerent because all of this was said in good faith. I feel no anger or need to persuade anyone to the Paul side of the fence (although the pastures are greener over here! hehehe). I just wanted to explain the way I view him and his motives.

I really need some George and Traveling Wilburys. I know ATMP is first! Then what? I hear Brainwashed, the Cloud one, and 33 1/3 are the best??? Idk where to start.

 Kind of like George bringing his ukes with him everywhere.

 

Kedame, you have now idea how perverted that sounds

Never mind, never mind…Perhaps I'm the perverted one here. You are blessed not to know.

minime said:

Never mind, never mind…Perhaps I'm the perverted one here. You are blessed not to know.

I totally know what you mean! (For seaglass, whom I thank so much for your kind words earlier…George apparently had a few services performed by a woman, all while continuously playing his uke. Funny story.)

And GnikNus…you're welcome. It's a beautiful song, and it sounds wonderful in concert. It's especially touching when you think about the fact that he recorded it when Linda was dying. I think I know that video you're talking about…the one where he is sitting at the campfire? There's a whole little documentary about Flaming Pie that is pretty good. Paul and Ringo sing a funny version of one of the songs, with Paul singing that Ringo is a b*****d. It's funny.