| Oh Woman, Oh Why | |
| Cover: | Ohwomanohwhy italy.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Paul McCartney |
| A-Side: | "Another Day" |
| Released: | 19 February 1971 |
| Recorded: | 3 November 1970 |
| Genre: | Blues rock[1] |
| Length: | 4:32 |
| Label: | Apple |
| Producer: | Paul McCartney |
| Next Title: | "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (with Linda McCartney) |
| Next Year: | 1971 |
"Oh Woman, Oh Why" is a song written by English musician Paul McCartney, first released on the Apple Records label in February 1971 as the B-side to McCartney's debut single as a solo artist, "Another Day".
The overall style of "Oh Woman, Oh Why" is that of a tense, blues rock song complemented by a fierce vocal delivery.[2] In addition, the song is paced by a drum rhythm which establishes a solid foundation upon which tight guitar lines interweave. Beatle biographer John Blaney praised McCartney's "rip-roaring" vocal performance for its grit and rawness.[3] Blaney also praises McCartney's "economical" bass line and Denny Seiwell's "thunderous" drumming.[3] Blaney does criticize the lyrics for "questioning rather than celebrating womanhood," stating that in this context the aggressiveness of the vocal performance is "particularly notable."[3]
"Oh Woman, Oh Why" was listed with "Another Day" during the single's run on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The record peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100 in April 1971.[4] [5] [6] On the Cash Box Top 100 chart, which listed sides separately, "Oh Woman, Oh Why" peaked at number 55.[7] The song has been praised for McCartney's impressive range of vocal pitch.[8] Record World called it "an intense raving side literally packed with dynamite."[9]
Although "Another Day" and "Oh Woman, Oh Why" were not originally released on any solo or Wings album, both songs appeared as bonus tracks on later editions of Paul and Linda McCartney's 1971 solo album, Ram. "Oh Woman, Oh Why" has also been included on the Special and Deluxe editions of the 2012 remasters of Ram.[10] It was also included on The 7" Singles Box in 2022.[11]