Why Paul McCartney Never Performed A Beatles Fan Favorite

The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, leaving many of their later songs without a true live performance from the group. However, each Beatle did go on to perform several of these tracks during their solo careers. But there’s one notable exception: “Martha My Dear,” a song that not even Paul McCartney—the writer of the track—ever performed live.

“Martha My Dear” is a charming song from The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album, also known as the White Album. Written by McCartney, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to his sheepdog, Martha. Some fans believe the song also alludes to his breakup with Jane Asher, especially with lines like “Don’t forget me.” Others interpret the lyrics “Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you” as a subtle hint toward an alleged affair Asher may have had while McCartney was on tour. However, McCartney has never confirmed these interpretations, and he’s also never played the song live.

Why Paul McCartney Never Performed The Song Live

Despite being a fan favorite, “Martha My Dear” has never been performed by McCartney, either with Wings or in his solo concerts. This is surprising given its popularity and its stylistic resemblance to a Wings song. So, why hasn’t he ever played it live?

The most likely reason comes down to the song’s challenging arrangement. “Martha My Dear” features a distinctive brass accompaniment that would be difficult to replicate in a live setting. Moreover, the piano part is notoriously tricky, even for seasoned pianists. Playing this complex piano segment while singing would be a tough task, even for McCartney. This could explain why he has avoided it in his live performances.

McCartney hasn’t officially addressed why he’s never performed “Martha My Dear,” but if it’s due to the song’s complexity, it’s understandable. Even the best musicians skip certain songs if they think it could affect their set. At least we have the beloved studio version to enjoy this ode to his sheepdog.