Songs > Lady Madonna

Lady Madonna

(Lennon/McCartney)

Song background
The exact opposite of what was expected from them after the incredible Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and "I Am The Walrus", the Beatles released "Lady Madonna" as a classic rock n' roll track after releasing two albums full of studio tricks and lush overdubs. The tune is from a recording titled "Bad Penny Blues" by Humphrey Lyttelton, and bootlegs from this era reflect the frequent rehearsal of that song during "Lady Madonna" sessions. In an interview with the magazine Musician in 1986, Paul said the song was a celebration of motherhood, and the idea came from a photo in an African magazine.

Recording dates

February 3, 1968 (5 takes, basic track)
February 6, 1968 (four-man brass overdub)

Release dates

March 15, 1968 (UK) ("Lady Madonna/The Inner Light" single)
March 18, 1968 (US) ("Lady Madonna/The Inner Light" single)
February 23, 1970 (US) (on Hey Jude)
April 2, 1973 (UK) (on 1967-70)
April 19, 1973 (US) (on 1967-70)
March 8, 1988 (UK & US) (on Past Masters Vol. 2)
November 14, 2000 (UK & US) (on Beatles 1)

Recording notes

Chart performance

#1, March 27 - April 3, 1968 (2 weeks), Record Retailer (UK)

Quotes

Awards

Other notes

Notable covers

Fats Domino (from Fats Is Back)
Tom Jones (from At His Best)
Elvis Presley (from Walk A Mile In My Shoes)
Booker T & The MGs (from Time Is Tight)